[Mike Carr]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

I was going to make a post on the other thread on this subject, but it looks like Greg touched on my subject matter, so I'll make it here.

What needs to be done ,for now, is support the independent S/SS races and combos throughout the country.
We have a S/SS combo at our nostalgia races twice a year. There are about 40-50 class cars in Az alone. We typically get about 15 of them for our deal . Some of the guys who never show,are usually seen at Boise or Sonoma a few weeks later, pursuing national records or the Wally deal. Only reason I keep having these deals as part of our races,is because I want to, and I get alot of positive compliments from the locals.They never get to see this type of racing locally anymore. I surely don't do it for the profit,b ecause there's not alot there.
I'm afraid that The US Class Nationals was a one shot ,one time deal. It was the Woodstock of class racing. It was the coolest race I've ever been to, and also the hottest!
But you didn't see Alex rushing to put on a second race the following year. He's an enterpreneur and a hustling, hard working guy. If he could make a nice living from these type races, I'm sure he would.

Before we talk about a new series of races,we have to run some numbers. I've got a pretty good deal with Speedworld.We collect $100 lane fee ,which is paid back 100% The track charges $25 for a tech card. I get a smaller % of that ,and they ,of course get the larger.
Now ,the racer is in the gates for $125.slightly less than a divisional race.
Let's say we get 100 cars ,instead of the usual 15. Now we have 10K to pay out.
Nobody wants to race 7 rounds without round money, or a winner takes all situation .
So, realistically ,the winner would get about 4-5 grand. Alot better than a points meet,but nowhere near a Nat'l event payout.
So now you need contingency sponsors tot get where you need to be. Someone has to solicit these awards, collect then ,or see that they get paid out. A fulltime job for someone right there. The promoter has to make it worth his while, in what would be another position in the "association".
We haven't even gotten to tech personnel, rules making people , staff, logistics for all of this.
That brings us to membership fees or dues. Another fulltime job for someone.
As soon as a few people start making a living off this new association, that' s when the complaints and whining will start, ..if not long before that.
I would love to hear some real ideas how to go about all this.
Meanwhile, we need to support the independent races
That's how I see it

Mark, I know how you feel. I ran the Tri-State Stock/Super Stock Association in 1999 and 2000, with races in PA, OH and WV. In the area we raced in, there are many cars and it should have been no problem to get at last FIFTY cars at each race. Yet, the largest car count we ever had was thirty-five. I've been doing the race in Hagerstown MD every fall (and a few spring events) since 1996. The car counts there are pretty good. Every year in the fall has had at least thirty-five cars, with the exception of three years. Yet there are many racers who live within an hour or two and have never been there. Some racers still have it in their head that if it is not an NHRA National or NHRA Divisional event, it simply isn't worth attending. Even with good payouts. 2001 was the largest race I had at H-town. 57 cars for the weekend, 48 for first round. $100 entry, $50 for second round LOSS, and $100 for third round LOSS. When is the last time you ran an NHRA race, lost third round and won your entry fee back? I imagine seldom, if ever. Billy Nees and Dave Campolito were in the final, split the purse and won $1300 apeice. And all money is paid out on site in cash. I guess this type of payout structure isn't too enticing to some? Dave Ley with the ECSSSA, and George Mirza also live in good areas for S/SS racing and draw very good car counts for their events and have a lot of support. I believe the ones out in Div 5 draw well also. I am trying to resurect the Tri-State S/SS Assn this year, we'll see if it goes any better this time. I would think that in the tougher economic times we're in, and racers seemingly increaing frustration with NHRA and IHRA it might be a good time. Not just me, but for all local S/SS-type series and associations. I would think one day races, less travel time, less time off work, better payout structure, etc would be attractive to many racers. Guess we'll see.