Making a profit in drag racing ????

[cicero819]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

I have a question and would like some honest answers. Suppose you were going to get into drag racing and would like to break even from all your overhead or make a small profit. Which class or catagory would you choose to run in either with NHRA or IHRA or BOTH?
Also consider you were a decent engine builder even if you out sorced your machine work and you did all of your own maintenance. You were capable of building your own ride or finding and purchasing a good used rolling chassis and were a decent driver but maybe not a Dan Fletcher type driver.
The sportsman classes would be your only option here (No Pro Class) so should/would you race a class car (stocker, S/S)? A Super Class car(S/G. H/R, S/C? or stay close to home and race a bracket car at weekly events or big money races? Maybe a dual purpose car such as some race?
It will be interesting to read about what decisions most of you would make and who cares to answer this senario. Please disreguard the class racing vs throttle stop racing and bracket racing arguments.
Anyone??????

Terry, wow! the only answer is Super Comp for NHRA and IHRA with a dragster which you convert back Super Pro for local racing. You can find one for a decent price, complete race ready car or rolling chassis and build a very good BBChev and be competitive. Very few can switch classes like a Biondo but as a possible vehicle for breaking even, the dragster seem to be the weapon of choice. A car against a dragster is like you showing up at a gun fight with a knife, still dangerous but no contest at the end result. Claude

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by cicero819

Terry, wow! the only answer is Super Comp for NHRA and IHRA with a dragster which you convert back Super Pro for local racing. You can find one for a decent price, complete race ready car or rolling chassis and build a very good BBChev and be competitive. Very few can switch classes like a Biondo but as a possible vehicle for breaking even, the dragster seem to be the weapon of choice. A car against a dragster is like you showing up at a gun fight with a knife, still dangerous but no contest at the end result. Claude

No thanks. I have several engine stands already. I prefer doors.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by cicero819

Terry, wow! the only answer is Super Comp for NHRA and IHRA with a dragster which you convert back Super Pro for local racing. You can find one for a decent price, complete race ready car or rolling chassis and build a very good BBChev and be competitive. Very few can switch classes like a Biondo but as a possible vehicle for breaking even, the dragster seem to be the weapon of choice. A car against a dragster is like you showing up at a gun fight with a knife, still dangerous but no contest at the end result. Claude

I still like my "dime rocket" stockers.

[Michael Beard]

I still like my "dime rocket" stockers.

Tip o' the cap to Billy Nees Race Cars... I took the Turismo out to Pageland Dragway last night (will post more elsewhere later, with pics, as there were a number of Super Stockers there for the Classic GearJammers meet). The little car is *deadly* right now. Deep-staged, ran 9.91, 9.90, 9.90, 9.90, and after a long oildown, we ran in much cooler air, and it went 9.888 (against a guy that was .001 and heading for dead-on... wasn't doin' nuthin' with THAT regardless of what I was driving!) Looking at running it at either Atco or the Dutch to get some "official" 1/4-mile runs. Thanks for a great piece, Mr. Bill!

[Billy Nees]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, slacker.

[cicero819]

I also only care for door cars. Mr Nees which type of dime car would you suggest. I know that my Oldsmobile Eighty Eight with 3800 v6 can run the quarter all day at 8:25 et in the eight. are these the future gems of stock eliminator. Thanks

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by cicero819

I also only care for door cars. Mr Nees which type of dime car would you suggest. I know that my Oldsmobile Eighty Eight with 3800 v6 can run the quarter all day at 8:25 et in the eight. are these the future gems of stock eliminator. Thanks

I have no idea why you are asking my father for an answer to this question! He doesn't race and hasn't even got a computer. Is it OK if I try and answer it?
Tom Kasch and Marion Stevenson have done well with the same type of car that you have. Do you mind getting your hands dirty? Are you creative? Are you a good scrounge? Will you take the time to watch the weather and wind? If you answered yes to these questions then you might do OK with this car. If not, buy a CJ or DP. You can probably get a good deal on an old A,B,C,D, Six Pack, 428 CJ or BB Camaro about now though.

[Marvin Robinson]

My two cents worth...

In the mid 70's quit racing for two years when I got married, and finally convinced my wife that my racing could pay for itself. It took (and still takes) a strategy to break even or earn a profit. Mine was to get rid of the BBC/4-speed combo, and go to a Z-28/SBC auto setup with electronic ignition, shift kit, headers and fuel pump and go bracket racing in 1975 - raced various cars with similar setups till my kids started College in the early 90's.

Long story short, made over 18K in 5 years, racing the car that was my daily driver, and listed racing as a business, and ran it that way to satisfy the IRS. Between deductions and winnings (which WERE more than my expenses). I made a profit 4 out of 5 years, and helped save for a down payment on a house. It takes a lot of winning, and extreme focus, but I managed both of those. It helped a lot to have an active bracket program less than 30min from home so 2-3 nights a week you could race for 200 dollars to win with a 25 - 35.00 entry fee in the 12 flat and slower brackets, run "King of the Mountain" races and race for 400+ when they ran them. No tow vehicle, trailer expenses, camping at the track and minimal maintenance put most of the winnings in my pocket.

5-6 big money races a year gave a chance to win 1000 or more, at tracks less than 3 hours travel. (Byron, Union Grove, Martin, US 30, etc.)

Having said all that, the sport has moved to a point where this is much more expensive and harder to do today, but I think a really good racer could keep from going broke, and maybe pick up a sponsor after enough winning was done, to compete at a higher level.