Big sportsman payout increase at IHRA National Events

[C and W Racing]

It's good to see an increase, but let's be honest. It's still a joke. We all bitch about the payouts from NHRA yet it's twice what IHRA pays out starting with 2nd round winners and goes up 100 per round verses 50. None of them pay worth a crap. Costs go up and payouts are a joke.
Chuck

[Myron Piatek]

Racing with IHRA is less expensive than NHRA and they are trying to be a competitive option. But they need the support to be able to pay more. They could have stayed with the old purse. When is the last time NHRA raised their payouts?

IHRA went out on a limb for several years with the Sportsman Spectaculars that paid $5,000 to win! That's a heck of a lot more than what NHRA pays. But not enough racers showed up and they got burned bad! No more Sportsman Spectaculars and it's the racer's fault for not showing up. IHRA appreciates sportsman racers more than NHRA. Racers need to show their appreciation in return, especially if they want bigger purses.

[HR9121]

I agree with Myron 100%, IHRA took it on the chin several races with the Sportsman Spectacular so them stepping up with these increases is a bit of a surprise to me. I agree Chuck that its long overdue but without support there is not much more they can do. This is not a "build it and they will come" economic environment where they can afford lots of losses hoping the masses will come eventually so I hope racers will see this as a good faith offering.

[Michael Beard]

You cannot compare payouts without comparing entry fees, amount of track time, travel, and amount of time off work.

Myron is dead-on about the Sportsman Spectacular events. $5K to win guaranteed, and racers failed to support them, so they went away. We had a great format race with the Combo in the Hills, and later the NitroPlate S/SS Shootout at Numidia, and people failed to support them, so now they're gone. At least people will have another opportunity to support and fun and rewarding event, with the Class Nationals next summer. If it's supported well enough, there's a chance that the program can expand. But it takes *you*.

We promote a number of big money bracket races. Racers have continued to show more and more support for what we're doing, and they have been rewarded with more events, more event coverage, and frequent purse increases. Success begets success.

Be part of the solution.

If you think NHRA should improve things in their programs, coverage, or payouts, the best way to force them to do so is with competition. I didn't run any IHRA events last year, as I couldn't fit them into my schedule. With improvements in many areas of what they're doing, I'm looking forward to supporting them again in 2015, and being part of the solution.

[ChevyII]

Michael, well stated!

The more we read your print and watch you in action with your successful events, the more I admire your character.

Well done, Mike!

Mike

[cal]

Hello All
So If I read this correctly, Division 1 will have a double at Richmond Dragway, a single at Maryland International Raceway. and be forced to go to Pittsburg for 1 race just to get 4 in division races. I think Pittsburg is also a Nitro Jam.

Hum this kinda Suck if it is correct.

Cal
HR S/ST 1177

[HR9121]

Originally Posted by cal

Hello All
So If I read this correctly, Division 1 will have a double at Richmond Dragway, a single at Maryland International Raceway. and be forced to go to Pittsburg for 1 race just to get 4 in division races. I think Pittsburg is also a Nitro Jam.

Hum this kinda Suck if it is correct.

Cal
HR S/ST 1177

Cal you guys are spoiled lol, come race division 9 where they are all singles with the exception of a few in the last couple of years and they were done because of make up races

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by HR9121

I agree with Myron 100%, IHRA took it on the chin several races with the Sportsman Spectacular so them stepping up with these increases is a bit of a surprise to me. I agree Chuck that its long overdue but without support there is not much more they can do. This is not a "build it and they will come" economic environment where they can afford lots of losses hoping the masses will come eventually so I hope racers will see this as a good faith offering.

This is a step in the right direction fro IHRA. They will have to follow through with this program and make the investment to improve car counts. The increase in purse is the first step. They (IHRA) have to attract sponsors and contingency to make the program really work and attract the car counts. The sanctioning body along with the track operators are the promoters. The investment has to be made by all parties involved. one of the big things that has to happen is getting some butts in the stands. That means you have to entice some people that would not normally be coming to your event. Better to have a lot of spectators there for an inexpensive gate charge than empty stands with a big gate charge. You have to build the system back up from the bottom. You have to have a solid foundation. That's what needs to be built now. Just because the first few races don't have a huge car count they need to stay the course and keep improving with each event. I will be running all of the IHRA events that are with in my traveling range this year.