Completely depends on the track. Track rentals are going to range anywhere from $5K-$15K/day, and you have to balance the cost and quality of the facility (not to mention location) with what that facility can draw for cars. I can get some tracks cheaper yet, but if I can't get cars to show up at them, doesn't do me any good. Also have to weigh promotional costs, and much, MUCH more...
If you're doing a standalone S/SS meet, you're probably looking at a 2-day event, $15K in expenses, so even with a $300 entry, you try to pay $10K to win... if you get 64 cars per class, you're going to lose your butt. Big money races are always predicated on car count. You typically need 135 cars to break even, 150+ is the sigh of relief, and then over 200 cars you start making stupid money. So what's the goal? If you don't have a huge bankroll, you put car count minimums in place to protect yourself with a prorated purse, and then no one shows up. Guarantee the purse and pray people show? I've done a great deal of studying and planning to revive a USCN type event, but quite frankly, I don't have the bankroll to cover in the event that racers decide not to support it.
Now, you do a complete Sportsman show with Stk, SS, three .90 classes, and TS, TD, and now you've got 7 classes to help reach the bottom line... but also more financial exposure. Just the difference between 50 cars per class and 64 cars per class can make or REALLY break you.
I developed a race purse calculator spreadsheet a few years ago, and let's just say it's eye-opening to would-be promoters...
