It is important to Xcel to ask questions and get answers. Your participation in the end of year survey helps to shape and mold the class and give insight into what needs to be revisited. Gratitude and appreciation to teams for taking the time to answer.
The meeting was held at the shop as it has been in recent years. The attendance was good and the mood for the meeting was civil without any major issues.
Discussion on spotters helping to determine any issues during the course of a feature. Doug discussed getting people to volunteer to have radios to add an extra set of eyes.
Doug went to a new track, Pagoda Motorcycle Club. It is a small but wide, egg-shaped track. Doug liked what he saw and believes we would put a good show on down there. However, it is in the Motorcycle Clubs hands as they are still figuring out what they are doing for next year as this is a new track.
Linda’s, Hamlin and Penn Can are weekly tracks for 2025. (Penn Can added the day after the meeting) The plan is 3 weeks of racing, 1 week off. Of the 3 race cycles, 1 will be a tour race. So expect to see Linda’s and Hamlin holding a good amount of tour races like this year.
The track management is changing for 2025. Doug is now going to manage aspects of the track. The facility and track are going to be improved and revamped to fit the style of the new management. Payouts for racing will be bolstered. According to Harry, all adult classes will see $500 to win as long as 14 or more cars show up. Pay throughout the field will also be pretty good, however this is all still being finalized. Hamlin will be promoted for the racer and the spectator.
The track will be changed a bit as well. Doug wants to make sure the track surface will be good from the beginning of the season until the end. The shape of the track won’t change too much, but the lines will. Track will be reconfigured in the turns to promote higher lines and racing up top. Doug Newbigging asked if it would be possible to rip the fence and he said it is a possibility. Also, Hamlin will be televised. Doug is going on Saturday to play around with the track and test some new ideas out.
Hamlin is going to be the place to be on Saturdays!
Hoosier will continue to produce the small Left Rear Tires. Can use big or small next year (same as this year’s rules). Hoosier still has some RD15 Right Rear tires left, but once they are out, they are out.
Power steering will be allowed but is optional. It will be a jam steering system which will be adjustable and is a good quality product. If you have the old power steering system that the class used to run, you may use that too. The new system will cost $900. New cars will come with this. Power steering will be open for everyone to use if they would like to use it.
If you run power steering, you can not have your camber over 7 degrees. This will be teched if you run power steering. There is a tolerance as obviously stuff may happen, but it will be an immediate dq if it is over. If you do not run power steering, you are still allowed to use however many degrees you want. For tech, car will be leveled and digital protractors will check for degree angle.
Remaining at 900lbs
Gear position sensor has to be unhooked from the wiring harness. If you have a harness from Doug, you are fine as this is already unhooked. This senser needs to be unhooked as it tricks the computer and gives an advantage over the Xcel wiring harness. Xcel harness keeps everything the same no matter what gear you are in. If you have the sensor hooked up, then the computer will change the engine timing and other things to try and suit whatever gear you are in. Can still keep gear lights.
Teams will have a choice of which air box (and inserts) they choose to use.
The muffler that was run in 2024 was not stated specifically in the Xcel Tour rules. That muffler will remain the same for 2025, but will be expressly stated in the rulebook to avoid confusion.
No change in that the top three finishers are expected to go straight to the Xcel trailer for technical inspection.
The rule on where the previous tour winner starts (9th) is being eliminated for the 2025 season.
The starting rules will retain the pill pull of the top three (or four depending on the night) finishers picking a pill pull to determine starting position. The previous tour winner will again pick a pull to determine starting position.
If a car catches fire, they are done for that race. Not done for the night, just that race whether it be warm-ups, heats, or feature.
Plan is to host a Hamlin/Xcel combined banquet for next year.
Doug will have a racing school setup at Hamlin for new drivers to get used to the car. This will be ran on non-race nights. It will be a multi-day sort of deal for new drivers to learn the basics of racing, race craft, and to just get used to this car. A rookie can learn more here than they might in a whole race season.
Still don’t know how they compare on the big tracks since they all got rained out this year after Suzuki’s got upgrades. Will keep an eye out for this season when we get there.
Prices for parts, tires, and cars are staying the same as this year. New car is $16,000.
Introduction: Teams asked for everyone to participate in registration.
It allows the series to promote and thrive. Registration is free.
Version one of the Xcel Chassis refresh was a welcome update by many of the competitors. Prior to the 2022 season information was pretty much word of mouth and if you were in the close proximity you may have gotten the correct information.
After 10 years of being associated with the Xcel Modifieds, I thought I had an idea of what I wanted to accomplish so I set to it.
Although by most accounts it was an improvement in most every way the development was done in stages and it got a little messy. The sticky widget was quite literally the word press function was separated from the custom dynamic (database) driven points system.
Watching the page hits, listening to your feedback and balancing time invested and the ability for someone else to manage if I someday need to pass this on led me to what the new version two looks like now.
Here is the summary of many of the changes that I have implemented.
You will see multiple add-ons and changes as I kick the tires during the preseason weeks. Some functionality is still not added, but I figured that it was far enough along to put it out there and let the masses give me feedback.
If you only view it on a phone, please try to see if on a monitor of some size bigger. I realize for quick information we all rely on our phones, but as far as websites go it is beyond my pay grade to maximize so many aspects of this thing for a phone so there has to be some give and take. Isn’t interesting that we call it a phone when anymore the phone part of it is just a fraction of what we do with it. 🙂
On that note, if you see errors or want to comment, please use the contact us link to send me a message. I appreciate any feedback good or bad.
Intro: The annual fall meeting took place at the Xcel Chassis garage on 10/30/2022.
This is a summary page of the discussion and changes.
Remove the following rules entirely:
Implement the following rule:
Illegal components found on a car will be forfeited to Xcel Chassis This includes electronics, motors or other components like shocks and wheels.
Xcel Fall Meeting YouTube Playlist (12 videos)
Sealed ECU | 2023 Schedule | Sportsman Class | 3/4 Class Car | Tour Point Purse | Redraw Handicapping | Pill Pull Policy | Race Monitors Program | Starting Area & Jump Starts | Intentional Incidents | Mentor Program | Surveys, Registration, Website, Communication Channels | Safety Discussion
Description:
The ECU is loaded with software that has a proprietary id that if adjusted in any form will register when connected to the computer app. It is as simple as seeing if the Xcel signature is present in the box. If the box is found without the correct signature by an Xcel official a disqualification and confiscation will take place.
Previously some of the results were positive (with no penalty discussed) because the person performing the check did not have the proper version of software. That is being addressed and is expected to be solved by the season start in 2023.
Description:
The TENTATIVE schedule is starting for 2023. Below are bullet points for some of the highlights.
Description:
Using the same Xcel Modified with a mechanically restricted throttle a sportsman class is going to be initiated for new and young drivers to learn how to race in our series.
Description:
Doug explains the future of the development of the 3/4 class and what is preventing him from pursing it for now. He indicates that he would still continue with development, but needs to tackle some issues concerning work load, facility space and focusing on customer needs.
Description:
Car counts matter when it comes to purses being paid out. A brief explanation on how the purse system numbers are attained and why 2022 was a loss of revenue that Xcel Chassis had to front.
In 2023, the class will see a change in the payout structure should numbers drop below 20 participants at a race.
Description
There were a few inconsistencies in 2022 where the winner of the previous week was involved in some way in a redraw. The discussion led to a vote where the previous handicap in the rulebook after winning was eliminated. In 2023, the previous weeks winner will redraw without any consideration of the previous win.
Description:
No need for a video for this one. Essentially, Doug Borger is going to reinstate using cones in the starting zone to delineate to the first place car where they can start the race. Long discussion on jump starts and things but no further action was voted on.
Description:
Xcel is going to have additional monitors (via radio) stationed around the speedway. Discussion on procedures and who should be manning the radios
When possible Xcel will enlist help from adjacent classes to watch our races. Further discussion on who and how many people need to agree before any action taken.
Description:
Xcel is stating for the record that if a driver acts deliberately to exact revenge that severe penalties will be levied
Description:
Seasoned race teams are asked if they are willing to formally sign up to help get new teams up to speed and mentor them on procedures and help with setup guidance.
There will be a spot on the website for new teams who want to pair up with those who sign up to help.
Description:
Keith Inglin discussed the year of communication on the website after he took over. Doug elaborated that the surveys were helpful in obtaining information to present to future sponsor prospects and reflected on the year end survey results. Discussion on how to get all Xcel Modified owners to register so communication can go out to everyone even if they are not actively participating in the Xcel Tour or Weekly Series.
Description:
Discussions on fire suppression system as well as safety gear, fuel systems and other elements.
Earlier this year we talked about a video series to bring some variety. While picking up a new gear for the bent up racer, I took the opportunity to get Mr. 365 (always in the shop – practically every day of the year) Doug Borger to stop a bit and discuss many things Xcel.
In this video:
This season there was an incident related to fuel/fire safety early May 2022 in Iowa.
Troy Anderson was injured in a fire related crash. After reading from his facebook page, he is in the process of recovering from those injuries including his hands and back.
If you would like to help in his recovery, there is a GoFundMe link, and we are quite sure all donations will be incredibly appreciated.
Special thanks to C.M. Dugan (Facebook Mid-West Division) for the initial information being posted about this.
Split Fuel Line
This image shows a fuel line that was replaced recently, but not the correct strength to handle the pressurized fuel system that the engines require. The line split and allowed fuel under pressure to spew starting a fire (that thankfully was quickly extinguished) by the safety crew, but still resulted in an injury to the driver.
The team unknowingly replace the line with new line (that was the same as what was on the car when they purchased it). What they were not aware of is that we use fuel line designed to withstand the high pressure fuel system.
This is not the first fuel related injury, and it is important that we all review our cars for safety in regard to the lines and connections.
If you look at the image for the title of this article note that it shows how to properly fit a fuel line to the fuel rail system. The practice of hose clamping is technically illegal (do to the last fire incident) but more importantly dangerous and must be avoided.
This is the correct fitting: Russell Performance 640863 Russell Fuel Rail Fitting Adapters | Summit Racing
You can purchase these from Xcel Chassis if you choose, but they are a requirement.
Some have used braided line, but more importanly, the rules specifically say ONLY BLUE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE*
*After speaking with Doug Borger, he asserted that braided lines are okay, but much more costly. He will allow them but prefers the blue line for ease of recognition.
In addition, MAKE SURE you have a check valve on the breather at the top of the fuel cell. It is there in the event of a roll-over crash and required as of 2022 in all Xcel Modifieds.
Finally, please review your fire safety gear that you wear and DO NOT SKIMP on wearing those undergarments. Holes and missing items can have a profound impact on your protection level.
The warm weather of summer makes us all weigh in on comfort vs. safety. Please be uncomfortable, but safe.
Xcel Chassis wants this area to be a place where Xcel Modified Teams can come and get information directly from the source. As this area is realized, we hope to make it the place for us to put out information, notices and official responses to anything Xcel. All we ask is that you stop here and look at the new stuff regularly.
That doesn’t mean that we will stop on Facebook or other social media, but that this is intended to be the place (especially for those who aren’t on social media) for everyone to get the message the way it was intended. Please tell people about this area – Thanks in advance!
One of the primary things Xcel is focusing on is being able to communicate with the masses in a quick, painless method that will let everyone see the same thing at the same time.
When it comes to that day where there are forecast thunderstorms, we all look to the sky and wonder if the night is work out.
The truth is no one is going to answer that question, it could literally be raining (or snowing) in turn 3 and the rest of the track is fine.
Nothing makes a weather cancellation good, but now at least there is potential to know as soon as someone of authority does.
The app (if that is what you want to call it) is browser displayed, but designed to work on all size screens including a mobile device.
To view it, visit THIS LINK
Couple things to know, there are some lights that may not be obvious.
The address is simple to remember: weather.xcelchassis.net, but we suggest you use your browser on you mobile device to put an icon directly on you home screen somewhere for easy access.
A couple YouTube videos will show you how to do that for both types of phone. They are located at the bottom of the page.
Xcel Chassis wants this area to be a place where Xcel Modified Teams can come and get information directly from the source. As this area is realized, we hope to make it the place for us to put out information, notices and official responses to anything Xcel.
That doesn’t mean that we will stop on Facebook or other social media, but that this is intended to be the place (especially for those who aren’t on social media) for everyone to get the message the way it was intended. Please tell people about this area – Thanks in advance!
Almost weekly there is a request on the Xcel Facebook page of someone asking for the base gear for a given track.
Teams are always quick to respond, and the racer has never been left in the lurch that we know of.
We are looking at checking things off the box and this week we found this task on our list, so we are checking it.
Doug provided information on his charts, and I painstakingly typed them into a table for both the Yamaha and Suzuki programs.
The Suzuki one is fair as far as completion but could use some help. I am waiting to get to our race car trailer (at Korey’s House) to get the Yamaha information we have.
If you have a default gear that isn’t crazy off the norm, please email it me at keith@xcelchassis.net and I will update the missing table information.
Here is a link to the XCEL GEAR CHART PAGE. It isn’t in the rotation yet so the only way to get to it is right here.
Part of registration is to have your Xcel Seal information posted.
Many are not clear on what that means so on a recent trip to the Xcel Chassis shop, we took a few images to clear things up.
The CPU serial number is in the corner and it is not a sticker, but STAMPED into the plastic casing
example: The CPU serial number for this image is SN9178
This is required on and Xcel Chassis CPU. It is the barcode sticker and you are responsible for submitting the ID number for this sticker.
example: the Top sticker number here is 1036101
The Xcel Chassis Motor Seal is on both the Yamaha and Suzuki motors. It is inserted into the top of the motor and will feature this blue seal. You are responsible for listing the seal number.
example: The top number seal in this image is 6786851
There is another post dedicated to how to identify and report serial numbers for both the Yamaha and Suzuki motors LOOK HERE to view that post
