9/8/2024
BAR31 Team to End USA Tours after October, 2024
The BAR31 Team will finish out our 2024 season with the MARS racing series, and that will end our dirt late model series experiences in the United States.
In Paul Stubbers Words:
Starting the journey in 2016, Alice and I have experienced a wonderful succession of young Aussie guys and gals contributing to the USA based race team. A few years with myself as the driver, and more recently, Kye Blight.
We turned out a few firsts:
- We were the first international driver and team to be 100 percenters on the grueling Summer Nationals Series.
- Kye was the first Australian driver to win a preliminary heat race during the World 100 Weekend at Eldora Speedway in 2019.
- Kye was also the first Australian to make the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway in 2023.
- There were several team members that it was their first time on a plane; first time overseas; first time to the USA.
BAR31 team drivers made up 3 Australian Champions over a 5-year period.
Racing in the USA has provided experience we would have NEVER gotten back in Australia. It kept us up with the latest information and technology, having direct access to clever people like Keith Berner (Afterburner Performance), Mark Richards and all the Rocket 1 gang.
As the saying goes, all good things come to an end. During our time here, Kye tried in vain to obtain a VISA to allow him to compete in the World of Outlaws for the 12-month period. the US Department of Immigration did not agree with our desire and disallowed the application. (It seems ludicrous with so many people entering the country unannounced, we seek permission to race, spend and earn US dollars, and we are denied.)
Like I said, all good things come to an end.
Kye has decided to move away from Bunbury to be closer to his family. At all times during our business life, Alice and I never lost sight of the real things in life - family always comes first.
Whilst disappointed we will not race out the 24/25 season back home, we support Kye and Jaime with their decision to move.
We just love the time we spend in small town USA. Setting up our home and shop in Greencastle, IN was a very exciting chapter of our life. What a HOOT we have all had coming and going from the home base. Sitting around the fire ring, telling lies.... Oh, and the FIREWORKS!!
Property prices in Greencastle continue to move in the preferred trajectory and the Hotel Project I took on so I would not get bored after handing the driving duties to Kye (20 rooms, 2 retail suites, bar and community museum) will keep Alice and I coming back to the USA for a few years to come.
Alice has made some wonderful friends, as have I. We have simply met too many wonderful people to name them. My morning gym class, the coffee and gas bag session with the ladies after just helps keep the old man OUT!!
April next year, I will be back starting my trip with a weekend racing a '69 Camaro at Road Atlanta.
To all of those that gave us a "nod and a wink" and the time of day while at the racetracks around the mid-west, we thank you ALL for your warm and heartfelt hospitality.
On to our next chapter.
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