Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Fletcher
I don't think I've ever been so offended by anything in my life. Obviously, the fee increases won't stop anyone from racing, but it's the principle of the matter. We're all struggling to just hang in there and they raise the price to participate. And then offer some BS excuse that doesn't even come close to making sense. And then tell us how they're really still doing us a favor. Thank God we aren't all drinking in a bar together. It could get rather ugly.
It's amazing. Their business, like most any other business, isn't doing as well as they'd like in this economy. But why isn't it doing as well? Because people, both racers and fans, don't have money to spend. But it's like the friggin' government. They raise the costs for those that are still there. How much more can the "taxpayers" bear?
Believe me, Fletchburger understands fiscal responsibility. They have us print our own tickets, we no longer get medals when we win, they cut their payroll by 10%, they cut the amount of staff at events and fuel prices are currently surpressed (bonus) But then to raise the entry fee by 8% and DOUBLE other associated fees?
Our "payout" was already cut severely with the tremendous drop off in contingency postings. Our cost was already raised when crew member tickets went to $85 per event. If they want to have totally pissed off customers, they certainly are off to a good start
I don't have any choice in the matter. They've got me over a barrel. This is how I pay the bills and there aren't enough IHRA events for me to make ends meet. Most all of you have a choice. But let me say this...if everyone wants to collectively skip one event in protest (allow me to suggest Indy), I'm in.
I don't know to whom I'll be writing a seething email to, but someone will be getting one today.
And they don't even sell us a tangible product for Christ's sake! OMG!!!!!!!!!!
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This says it all. Dan, if you can, please copy this to the Comp board here and at
http://www.insidecompracing.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2. I'm glad I just renenewed last month, but they will
get me on the chassis cert though.
What's even worse is that the payouts from NHRA have not increased nationally in 20+ years and contingencies continue to shrink. My feeling is that you will se alot of other people, especially younger, finding new hobbies. How are they going to attract them when they keep getting hit harder in the pocket?
How about this for comparison? Go to your local dirt track on just about any given weekend. Usually a packed house for about a $20-30 admission, sometimes less. Generally a full compliment of 3 or 4 classes of cars and if you make the feature, most get at least their entry fee back. Winner in the sportsman(mid level) class can get 1,000+. And this is all done in 1 Day!