Dumesny yesterday revealed he and six other drivers would not accept contracts to run the series next season in protest at new tyre regulations.

Dumesny said WSS management had not consulted with drivers about plans to force drivers to run a control left-rear tyre as well as the existing control right-rear tyre next season.

He said the move would increase costs for drivers, restrict numbers contesting the series and take away driver tactics.

WSS has awarded the control tyre contract to American Racer for next season.

While Dumesny imports Hoosier tyres and has the current contract for WSS, he said his decision was not motivated because he had been out-bidded for the deal.

“It’s not just me, Robbie Farr, there are about six of us,” Dumesny said.

He said the WSS decision was “a little bit over the top”.

“Realistically all the local drivers in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia run Hoosier tyes each week and when World Series comes to town they are going to be expected to buy two right-rear tyres and now three left-rear tyres, plus the $180 nomination fee.

“All up they are going to have to pay $2000 to go racing. WSS struggled to get numbers in the early days.

“I’ve done my bit to see WSS go ahead, I’ve done it for 25 years but I don’t want to see it go downhill again,” he said.

“I’ve supported it because it is the pinnacle of the sport and the better race teams should be there. I’ve never had reason not to support it. But I think I have now got a good reason and I’m not going to (do it).

“I’m not saying I will never do it again.”

WSS manager Shane Collins yesterday said Speedway Australia, owner of WSS, was disappointed some drivers were upset with the new three-year tyre deal.

He said the tyre deal came after a transparent tender process in which three manufacturers bid.

Collins said the change was designed to secure the series’ financial future, saying the deal was “important to the commercial viability of it and its future”.

“From Speedway Australia’s point of view, World Series Sprintcars has lost a lot of money over the last few years,” he said.

“Speedway Australia needs a blue ribbon event and World Series is the blue ribbon event.

“Speedway Australia are not only sprintcar racing, we have to look after different classes. We need to make World Series financially safe so it can prosper going forward.”

He said he was disappointed with the reaction from some teams, dismissing the notion state-based drivers would have to fork out too much to compete.

“At the end of the day, the people competing will buy tyres anyway. The American Racer tyres are cheaper for competitors to buy. It’s a shame there has been a bit of an uproar from quite a few of the racers. It’s a shame it has come to this.

“Unfortunately in the sport of speedway whenever there is change it brings negative responses.”

Collins said the series needed drivers.

“We don’t want to lose anyone. Max is an icon of the sport and Robbie Farr is last year’s champion.

“We are disappointed especially for Max. He is the only competitor who has been in it for all 25 years. It’s sad, he doesn’t deserve to go out this way. We should be celebrating what he has done.”

Dumesny will be on the grid tonight in Perth for the opening of the series finale, which concludes tomorrow.

Brisbane-based Northern Territory hot-shot James McFadden enters the double-header round with a 338-point lead in the series over American Jason Johnson while national champion Brooke Tatnell is a further 100 points back.