Re: The New IHRA ???
 

I have spoken to many racers that do not compete anymore (10-15 racers) within the last 5 years. All of the reasons given for not racing had nothing to do with payouts, round $, entry fees. If the economy is weak and jobs are at risk, it does not matter how you sugar coat a race, racers will not come.

Good Luck in 2013

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Today racing is so much different than it was when I first started. First and foremost it did not cost a fortune (back in the day) to build a competitve stocker. There were certainly more limitations of what you could and couldn't do so you had to work with what you had to improve your performance. It was all about performance and the work it took to be the fastest. At that time the ROI was pretty good, if you won class or won a pts. meet or National event you made out pretty well (actually made a profit). Your chances of winning were pretty good to because we did not have reaction times or weather stations like today.

In todays racing to build a competitve car the costs could be overwhelming. There are centainly racers where cost is no object. There are racers that have had the same combo over the years, continued to worked on them, and updated them to be very much competitive today. There are racers who just want to compete but don't need to be the fastest. The biggest difference today is the ROI. It takes so much more $$$ and time to be competitve today than in the past. It is so much tougher to win today because 'everyone' is good and we have the professional sportsman racers. Class pays about 1/3 of what it used to but costs us 10x more money to get there. And now there is that potential penalty of going to fast and getting HP.

Our poor economy does not help either. Lots of manufacturers are tightening their belts and it seems more difficult to win any contingency, some have limitations on what pays and what doesn't and the contingency list seems to get shorter and shorter.

I think we are at the point or have been at the point where many racers are picking and chosing what races to attend based on their funds, the race, the distance to the race, the payout of the race and who is attending. When it gets to expensive or over our budgets we choose other things to do or other races.

I think we all still enjoy racing and hanging out with all of our buds, but for most of us to consider racing other events or adding to our current list of races we want to attend there has to be good possible ROI to get racers to go. If you won a race years ago, that money alone would cover all of your costs and you would have some left over. Now winning a race and getting of the contingency may not even cover the cost of going.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Here's how you could make the argument:

I think it would help if they took money off the top and paid first round winners. They did it in the early years of the Bader era. The entry fee was lower then, but I understand that expenses are a lot higher today than they were 10 years ago, so for argument's sake, I'd leave the entry fee alone.

Right now, it's a $135 entry fee in Stock, and the payout is:
Win $1,000
R/U $400
Rnd 4 Win $160
Rnd 3 Win $120
Rnd 2 Win $80

With 40 cars, the total payout would be $2,200.

To start payouts with Rnd 1 winners and keep at least that amount of revenue to keep the tracks and sanctioning body going, the payout could be:
Win $700
R/U $300
Rnd 4 Win $160
Rnd 3 Win $120
Rnd 2 Win $80
Rnd 1 Win $40

With 40 cars, the total payout would be the same $2,200. Now, if there's more cars then that, the round money adds up quicker and it'd cost more this way, but it's my belief that more cars would race for this purse vs what we have now, and make up the difference.

What do you guys think?

...and then people would discuss their thoughts on it. That's it.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Either is fine.. Interesting though!

Remember taking home $700 winning Stock at the 1980 Southern National at Commerce in 1980.

Somehow you got to bring the public back to the races.
Good food, entertainment, family and kids facilities, showers, easy parking are keys to generating revenue.

Think MIR has the right idea on Restroom Facilities.

All about the sensory experience.
People come back because they remember a good time.

Remember at Moroso in late 80's and early 90's beer being sold at the races.
Is that an option today?

However Races need an entertainment area for families to keep an eye on their kids, kiosks for race and non race related products and services, seminars of all kinds, some of the stuff you would see at at state fair, adding gym for exercising.

Heck I have been to a few Warrior Dashes that bring in a lot of people.
Invite McDonalds, and local resturants such as BBQ cook off contest or a Pho Soup and Chineses Food.

FWIW the food sucks at most Tracks...and way too pricy.

When I go to a weekend long race there is a lot of dead time.
Get bored after taking a few laps around the pits looking at other peoples cars.
Yeah you meet old and new friends....may get a nap in..
Attend to the your car, wash, polish, clean.

Otherwise until the racing begins there is not much to do.

my 2 cents

D

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

$5 for a first round win will buy 5 pounds of ice cream at Norwalk!

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

I like it Beard, a little cash along helps. A really good racer told me once that you need to get something back every week. We will never make any money racing, we all know that. I bracket raced one season and kept up with expenses and money won. I got a little every week, it made a difference. I paid for all my entries, food ,gas, oil, etc. Just my two cents worth.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Wasn't my idea, it was Doug's.


Currency conversion we can believe in! I like how you think. :D

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Dan hit a nerve with this comment: People come back because they remember a good time.

I think that is just human nature.
There were 5 of us in the shop the other day talking about racing. 3 car owners and 2 crew chiefs. The one common thread that ran through the conversation was that the expense of just going and being there has gone past the "fun factor" or as Dan put it the "good time". Both crew chiefs said they don't even attend the Ennis National Event with their family and sons to watch anymore because of the expense.
I think most of us older guys are still seaking the fun we had with cars when were were younger. That is about all that keeps us involved. After all most of us have not raced for a living. Remember the fun you had as a kid when your grandparents took you to the circus? Now we take our grandkids to the circus hoping they have the fun we did. I don't want to sound gloom & doom, just point out change. It is just a cycle and today the cycles of life are being broken. Why, many reasons, but I think most of all economy and the economy of a persons "time"...

BTY: A long time ago the guys that go around in circles figured out that payouts that went deep into the field were better for participation and racer attendance than the top heavy payouts.

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Wow .. thanks Adger for following up with my comment..
You restated it very well.

IHRA needs to bring the fun factor back.
Getting kids and parents excited about coming and coming back again.
Make it inexpensive for them to come.

Drag Racing and Auto Sports are like a Girls Dress.
They will get a nice but inexpensive Dress from Sears or Walmart.

But the money is spent on the ACCESSORIES !!


Dan

Re: The New IHRA ???
 

Top heavy payouts suck.
Paying $ 135 to enter and going out first round sucks.

There should at least be a consulation race for the first round runner-ups, since that includes half of the entries. ( maybe 200win / 100 r-up)
At least with that, there would be a second chance at winning something after all that tow fuel, time, expense, etc.

As Dan has stated, getting people to and keeping people at the track is important.
And making it family friendly helps breed future racers.

Just my .02c