Quote:
Originally Posted by cujo3116
I did alittle homework before I thought about suggesting this and looked at how many potential Super Gas or Super Rod racers lived within 3.5 hours drive of either TMP or Grand Bend , I searched the qualfying sheets for local IHRA/NHRA divisionals and nationals as well as looking at the last TMP IHRA national event and the 2009 Grand Bend National and found that there are 17-21 active S/R or S/G Candian cars within 3.5 hours of either track.
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I'm just playing devil's advocate here, so don't take my comments below the wrong way.
Though your research is good, it also shows just how difficult I believe it will be to pull a good number of cars to TMP for a S/G event. Of the 17 - 21 active cars within that 3.5 hour radius, what percentage do you think you will pull? 75%? I personally don't think you would get 75%, but for a moment let's say you do. That means of the 17 - 21 active cars, you would have 13 - 16 show up. Now, how many other non-active local racers do you think you will get to switch from S/Pro to S/G? History has shown this number to be EXTREMELY low. But, for argument's sake, let's say you got 3 locals to race S/G as well (which is probably 2 or 3 more than you would REALLY get). That means AT BEST I would see you putting together a show of 16 - 19 cars.
Now, a 16 - 19 car show isn't bad for a local S/G race, but unless you're able to get some sponsors to pony up some money, I don't think you're going to pull guys from 3.5 hours away. For me TMP is about 3 hours away (including bridge / customs time), or about 150 miles. At 6 mpg (which is probably conservative for me), that means I burn 50 gallons of gas, or spend $150 just to tow there and back. Add-in entry fees and tolls, and what am I out just to get in the track, probably $250 ($150 Gas + $50 Car & Driver Entry + $15 Tolls + $35 track / crew entry)? That obviously doesn't include food, or wear and tear on my stuff (or the PITA at the border). I like racing S/G, but personally I'm not going to tow 3.5 hours to "win" $400, which is probably all you would be able to pay with 16 - 19 cars and no sponsors (I'm assuming a $50 entry with 100% payback).
Now, if you can get a sponsor or two to kick in some money to raise that payout a bit, you might get me to change my mind, as well as the other guys that are near the limit of the 3.5 hour tow.
Again, I'm not trying to discourage you from trying to set this up. I just want you to realize that I don't think it will be easy to get a large number of cars to compete (20+). I think the lack of response to this thread is a bit of a testament to that.
But, I wish you the best of luck, and hope that you do organize an event or two, as it just gives us WNY and Southern Ontario racers more options.