[Michael Beard]

The last few posts are dead-on. File race promotion under "You think you know, but you have no idea." A partner and I promoted a big money Footbrake race Thanksgiving weekend, so I know first hand what track rentals cost, *and* how many thousands of dollars you can rack up doing promotion for an entire year, along with all of the little extras we did for the racers. Our payouts are some of the strongest anywhere. There's a reason why we've chosen the business name "Loose Rocker Promotions". Most people in their right mind wouldn't work for 10-12 months on a single event and pay out what we do. Also, something that we do is offer purse incentives. If we have 200+ cars in any race, we DOUBLE the rate the round money increases. (FYI, we had 191 entries on the first day last year, and I'm confident that we'll hit the bonus level this year! ...if gas prices don't go nutty) And payout percentages change depending on car count. Our two $5K events payout percentages were 10% different.... and that came out to a difference of $4,500. This is not a game. This is real money, and until you put YOUR butt on the line, it's not as 'real' to you. You can go from making good money to losing everything very quickly. What's the incentive for a track or promoter to increase their risk exposure massively compared to the 'safe' profit of a test n' tune?

If it were easy, everyone would do it. The US Class Nationals was a slam dunk, right? Why hasn't it been done since? I know, I've looked at the numbers hard, and at one time had a date and location already in talks with a track. There's a reason... and y'all already touched on it. I sincerely hope that the Combo in the Hills is huge this year, as it deserves to be. Many people didn't support THAT race last year, yet we think that more cars are going to magically materialize at Divisional races on either side of the fence if they pay more money?

That being said... yah... R/U this weekend in a short race, and will still be in the hole. Coming away with the points lead with a gold card and TOC qualifying position on the line is the only justification for going. (Well, that and both Ralph Hester's BBQ and Ron Ortiz's steak, wings, and... um... moss.) My same performance (or lack thereof, as it turns out) would earn me $125 at an LODRS, far worse than my R/U take. Realistically, Orlando and Gainesville make no financial sense for me, particularly with this being my busiest time of the year. With 45+ customer projects in line right now, I can't afford two straight weeks of 3-day work weeks. I can race locally for two $2K's this weekend and two $3K's next weekend. (and probably won't even go this weekend... need to work and catch up.)