Big $$$ S/SS Races as a Business Model..Viable?

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

So, lots of folks are praising the last couple of S/SS races. They're saying they will attend next year..This is assuming there will be similar races next year, from the same promoters.
I made a few calls, and from what I hear, these two events didn't exactly end up in the plus zone, monetarily. If this info is incorrect , please advise me.

Now ,what are we going to do to keep them happening?

First, let me say that we're never going to replace NHRA as a sanctioning body. We need people who are ready, willing and able to go to 8-9 points meets , so they can race on the big stage with 60 other guys and gals. This way, we still have a rules structure, a semblance of a tech dept. and HP factors , to keep everything reined in.
These races need to be an alternative for those who won't or can't play the NHRA game to the max.

I've talked to a few friends with promotional experience, and they believe, as do I, that class racers generally don't care to spend 6-9 hundred in entry fees for a chance at 40-50 K.. 5,000 to win, for a couple hundred entry, as in Kenny's race, seems to be reasonable enough...or is it?

Of course , all opinions are welcome, but I'd like to hear from the promoters and / or track operators, as to what we could do, to get these races into the black.

Let's not regress into negativity like " too early" , "too cold", "holiday weekend" ,etc.
Rather than that , tell us when and where you WOULD schedule these events.

Thanks

Highlighted above may explain something.
The big entry fee for a big purse payout looks attractive, until one realizes there are no buybacks ( traditional with class racing )

Almost all big bucks bracket races have buyback options.

I prefer a lower entry fee and 2-5 K payout, but also since I drove all that way, and if I become a 1st round runner up, I'd like there to be some form of consolation race

JMO

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by ALMACK

Highlighted above may explain something.
The big entry fee for a big purse payout looks attractive, until one realizes there are no buybacks ( traditional with class racing )

Almost all big bucks bracket races have buyback options.

I prefer a lower entry fee and 2-5 K payout, but also since I drove all that way, and if I become a 1st round runner up, I'd like there to be some form of consolation race

JMO

I guess you didn't watch the races last week. Each 25K race also had a 5K combo race as a so called "consolation race". There was a separate entry I think $100 for the 5K combo. The entry fee for any of these 20-25K races was about the same as a NHRA national event and the winner and RU made way more than any NHRA national event so the entry fee is not the issue. The race at SGMP was 3 20K races for $900 entry if you raced all 3 races. $325 per race if you raced one or two. The 50K race was $1000 but limited to 64 cars. It all boils down to if you want to race for big money you have to get off the porch and get there. If you do go you have to be on your game the round wins are real tough to get.