[SS Engine Guy]

Good post Alan. Motor home vs. motel/food costs vs. staying at the track with your equipment! Dead on! Those of you who travel alot like myself already figured out the cost savings plus the comfort/ safety level/ convenience of a race rig configured for 10-16 hour trips one way and 4-5 day stays. I did the tow hub, the flat bed, the 28 enclosed, the 48 ft. with living quarters for years until I finally added up the expenses. It is a a draw at best.
Now to payouts: for the costs to travel to a points meet including entry and other fees the payouts are an insult. Without contingency I can win more in a 100 mile radius at combo races for 50 bucks entry and be at home in bed by midnight. The payout problem to me is more about an insult than it is about dollars. I raced the points circuit/ national events for 12 years in the 90's and I didn't win alot. Maybe a couple runners ups and 3 wins a year and never cleared..yes cleared, after expenses including tires engine freshen ups, etc never less than 52k. That's decent money for a hobby. It literally payed for itself and made me a decent amount to put in the business. Keep in mind....a hobby. I already had a viable race engine business. I'm not referring to the racer that hits 5 div and a couple natls. close to home. If you don't win or r/u you don't need to worry about payouts because it dosen't matter...you aren't going to make any money anyway. But if you are serious about racing you will learn, progress, and get better. As others have said, the economy is in the worst shape in my lifetime. Irregardless what the news tell you. Anyone in business knows the truth. So that's my take on money, payouts etc.

Now, back on topic: I think that MJ made a very logical and a very human post about Mr. Compton. Like MJ and others I wish Mr. Compton the best and hope whatever problems he or his family faces are brief and turn out for the best. Irregardless of what I think about his role in NHRA. To me that has nothing to do with his well being or the well being of his family. And I don't really think anyone truly wishes him bad.

In ending......payout is a reward for being the best on a given day. A reward if you will. Without a justified reward some will continue to race many won't. It needs to be fixed an has needed fixing for alot of years. I relied on contingency as my reward and in my opinion that needs to be fixed also. Will I race for free? Hell yea! Why? Because I, over the years can afford to. The answer would have been very different 25 years ago. We need to grow this sport and grow our racer base and the current conditions with the economy and the sanctioning bodies are making this impossible.