USPRO Cup
Racing Memo
November 7, 2003

Dear USPRO Members, Drivers and Teams:

I wanted to take this time to update you on the latest news within USPRO and provide more details about 2004.

* Currently all of our staff is hard at work preparing race dates for 2004, scheduling tire testing sessions and trying to complete our dyno sessions on the impounded engines from the Tri City race. A new series name change is in the works along with a brand new logo. A new web site is being developed and will include a lot of the same information as before but will sport a new look and color makeover. To sum things up for all of you, we are desperately trying to complete a lot of work in a very short period of time but need your continued patience to allow us to work through all the major changes that are taking place during the formation of this new series. I appreciate your understanding and all of your patience.

* Tires seem to be the hottest issue at the moment among our teams. To bring you up to date we will be conducting tire testing sessions in IRP hopefully in the coming month and will be working directly with BF Goodrich engineers to find you a tire that will help control your cost’s through the two tire rule. Peter Cazzolino, an ASA regular will be the driver conducting the tire testing using the #14 car from the USPRO series. Peter has done the majority of testing for ASA in the past. He is experienced working with the BF Goodrich engineers and can give them the input they need. Once the testing has been completed and a decision has been made, we will let all of you know through a separate press release as to the findings and the tire we will be using next season. Rest assured we are working very hard to maintain the two tire rule using tires that are not outrageously priced.

* Dyno testing is soon to be completed on the engines impounded after the Tri City race. The Chevy engines have been completed and we were extremely pleased with the results in as far as horsepower spread. In regards to illegal parts or modifications of the engines themselves by team members, none was found with the Chevy engines or the carburetors. The fuel also tested out to be legal. The FORD engines are currently on hold as Roush racing is swamped with FORD work. We are awaiting a schedule from their staff to get these engines dyno’d, inspected and the carbs tested. We will be issuing a separate press release with the dyno results and findings of the engine inspections and are placing a priority on getting these tests completed as soon as possible.

* In regards to the schedule for next year Ron Varney and Steve Dale are both hard at work in trying to secure race dates for next year and present all of you with a schedule for 2004. I want to remind everyone that as a traveling series we are at the mercy of promoters in setting our schedules and cannot move forward with a completed schedule until they have made their decisions. Please do exercise some patience with us and try and understand we are dealing with over a dozen different people at numerous facilities to secure race dates. It is extremely hard to get things accomplished in a fast manner under these circumstances and last season we were well into February before we had a completed schedule. When we get the race dates etched in stone through a signed contract we will release the date and location directly to all of you.

* Look for a brand new name change for the series in addition to a new look in regards to logo and series colors. The web site will be getting a face lift to reflect these changes in the ensuing months so in the meantime we will continue using the current web site.

* We have had a huge response to the merging of ASA and USPRO. Drivers are now registering from all over the Midwest. Wisconsin drivers seem to be making their mark in the registration process as is Indiana drivers. Also included are drivers from Illinois and Iowa. The word’s out, we have a cost effective race series that is based on professionalism and cost controls and many are taking advantage of this by signing up for next year. Every indication is that this series is going to be a tough one for all of you filled with good close competition. To date we have over 50 registered drivers. Visit the USPRO Cup web site to view the latest drivers registration page. We are updating this weekly.

* With the heavy response in registration came a flood of phone calls about registering driver numbers. I will be sending out a separate release on this issue and am asking all of you to please review the ownership rules and rights to car numbers. Also keep in mind the series will not allow duplicate numbers such as 25 and 25x. If your number has been registered by another team we ask that you consider a different number. Please review the rules and the press release on this issue. Also please remember after reviewing the statement on car numbers that the series has no authority to take one number from a driver to give to another. A lot of these phone calls we are getting are asking for this same thing. We cannot simply take numbers from people who have registered them and give them to another. Its highly unfair to everyone. Please review the statement on ownership rights to car numbers.

* The USPRO Cup Banquet is fast approaching. If you have not reserved your seat or purchased your tickets, may I suggest you do so very soon as the event looks like it maybe a sell out. Complete information on ordering your tickets available online located at our web site. You also can contact Sandy Varney directly at sandy@usproracing.com.

* We will be holding a rules meeting in 2004 and are considering a date near the end of January. In the past all of our meetings were held in Lansing, Michigan because of its central location to our drivers and teams. We have always tried to make the travel to these meetings fair for everyone. Because of the geographic locations of our new incoming drivers a new location will need to be found that is central to our Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin drivers. We will update you once a central meeting location has been scheduled. In as far as rules, we will once again remind you; “ Expect very little changes in the rules”. Two changes being studied which will be thrown out to the drivers at the meeting is the mandating of all heim joints being steel. A second rule being looked at and that will be discussed is the series allowing brake

re-circulators. If there is a specific rule you want addressed at the meeting, please forward your comments or suggestions directly to Ron. But please remember our litmus test for allowing new rules. The rule change being proposed has to show a cost advantage to the racer or has to be directly related to safety issues.

*I myself am enjoying the warm mountain weather we are having in Bristol, TN. While I am living 700 miles from the action up there in the Midwest I am still only a phone call away. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

In case some of you may have missed my last memo about a slight re-alignment of the USPRO staff duties I will relate them to you again here. Ron and I are splitting our focus at this time in two separate areas. I am managing all 2003 issues until January 2004. Ron is working hard with Steve Dale on the formation of the new series and will be handling all 2004 issues. Once the new organization is in place I will be stepping down and Ron and Steve will assume the helm of the new series. Also involved in this change will be the support of ASA personnel in the new series including their marketing and PR staff. A new race director will be appointed for next season as will a new tech director for the series. We are working hard to get these appointments of key personnel made before the January rules meeting. We will keep you posted on any new changes as they occur.

I personally want to thank each and everyone of you for your phone calls, e-mails and well wishes as I battle this bone marrow disease. The well wishes, harassment, laughter and general friendships of all of you have been so uplifting and have kept me going in the face of some very rough times. Thanks to all of you for your continued support.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Yours in Racing,

Chris Throgmartin

USPRO Cup Director of Operations

423-967-1787 chris@usproracing.com