Takin control of our own destiny.

[Ed Carpenter]

Nitro Joe,

I think when you had the S/SS race in Houston the turnout was pretty good if I remember right. It was a fun race also. ED

[randy wilson]

why not try www.headsup-racing.com

[Mike Carr]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

I was going to make a post on the other thread on this subject, but it looks like Greg touched on my subject matter, so I'll make it here.

What needs to be done ,for now, is support the independent S/SS races and combos throughout the country.
We have a S/SS combo at our nostalgia races twice a year. There are about 40-50 class cars in Az alone. We typically get about 15 of them for our deal . Some of the guys who never show,are usually seen at Boise or Sonoma a few weeks later, pursuing national records or the Wally deal. Only reason I keep having these deals as part of our races,is because I want to, and I get alot of positive compliments from the locals.They never get to see this type of racing locally anymore. I surely don't do it for the profit,b ecause there's not alot there.
I'm afraid that The US Class Nationals was a one shot ,one time deal. It was the Woodstock of class racing. It was the coolest race I've ever been to, and also the hottest!
But you didn't see Alex rushing to put on a second race the following year. He's an enterpreneur and a hustling, hard working guy. If he could make a nice living from these type races, I'm sure he would.

Before we talk about a new series of races,we have to run some numbers. I've got a pretty good deal with Speedworld.We collect $100 lane fee ,which is paid back 100% The track charges $25 for a tech card. I get a smaller % of that ,and they ,of course get the larger.
Now ,the racer is in the gates for $125.slightly less than a divisional race.
Let's say we get 100 cars ,instead of the usual 15. Now we have 10K to pay out.
Nobody wants to race 7 rounds without round money, or a winner takes all situation .
So, realistically ,the winner would get about 4-5 grand. Alot better than a points meet,but nowhere near a Nat'l event payout.
So now you need contingency sponsors tot get where you need to be. Someone has to solicit these awards, collect then ,or see that they get paid out. A fulltime job for someone right there. The promoter has to make it worth his while, in what would be another position in the "association".
We haven't even gotten to tech personnel, rules making people , staff, logistics for all of this.
That brings us to membership fees or dues. Another fulltime job for someone.
As soon as a few people start making a living off this new association, that' s when the complaints and whining will start, ..if not long before that.
I would love to hear some real ideas how to go about all this.
Meanwhile, we need to support the independent races
That's how I see it

Mark, I know how you feel. I ran the Tri-State Stock/Super Stock Association in 1999 and 2000, with races in PA, OH and WV. In the area we raced in, there are many cars and it should have been no problem to get at last FIFTY cars at each race. Yet, the largest car count we ever had was thirty-five. I've been doing the race in Hagerstown MD every fall (and a few spring events) since 1996. The car counts there are pretty good. Every year in the fall has had at least thirty-five cars, with the exception of three years. Yet there are many racers who live within an hour or two and have never been there. Some racers still have it in their head that if it is not an NHRA National or NHRA Divisional event, it simply isn't worth attending. Even with good payouts. 2001 was the largest race I had at H-town. 57 cars for the weekend, 48 for first round. $100 entry, $50 for second round LOSS, and $100 for third round LOSS. When is the last time you ran an NHRA race, lost third round and won your entry fee back? I imagine seldom, if ever. Billy Nees and Dave Campolito were in the final, split the purse and won $1300 apeice. And all money is paid out on site in cash. I guess this type of payout structure isn't too enticing to some? Dave Ley with the ECSSSA, and George Mirza also live in good areas for S/SS racing and draw very good car counts for their events and have a lot of support. I believe the ones out in Div 5 draw well also. I am trying to resurect the Tri-State S/SS Assn this year, we'll see if it goes any better this time. I would think that in the tougher economic times we're in, and racers seemingly increaing frustration with NHRA and IHRA it might be a good time. Not just me, but for all local S/SS-type series and associations. I would think one day races, less travel time, less time off work, better payout structure, etc would be attractive to many racers. Guess we'll see.

[Chuck Porter]

In response to this topic, I’ll chime in on a few points

If we as “participants” in this sport feel now is not the time for change, then ask yourself “when” is the right time for change?

What I find distasteful is that the sanctioning bodies are not accountable to the membership. The NHRA executive have found a way to insulate themselves and aren’t accountable to anyone. If I’m wrong then who are they accountable to? It has taken these guys over 50 years to develop and tune this well oiled money making machine and they aren’t going to give it up easily. They have raped and pillaged the sportsman racers to a point of revolt in order to keep this machine running. And we keep coming back for more.

The NHRA and IHRA know how racers think – at least in one respect. THEY KNOW WE WILL SHOW UP TO RACE. If you don’t believe me, just organize a boycott to a single race and watch it fall flat on its ***. Racers will show up. That’s guaranteed and NHRA & IHRA use that knowledge to prosper at our expense.

I’ve got nothing against making a profit, however I have a real problem with self appointed royalty hog troughing the profits in what is fundamentally a recreational based sport.

In regards to a new sportsman based association, I say “Hell Yes”. Count me in. However I also recommend that we learn from history and proceed cautiously. Take the good points from NHRA & IHRA and build on it.

Don’t be afraid to pay the guys who are working to build the new association. Their time is worth it. Isn’t yours? Don’t sit back and bitch about it. If you have nothing to offer, shut the hell up. If you do have something constructive to offer, roll up your sleeves and get in there and do something positive. However provide a good foundation to build on, which means be certain people are accountable for their actions. And be sure all decision makers are replaceable.

Can Corporate America be sold on this idea? They will want value for their money and want to see results. I think the Pros have priced themselves out of the market. Perhaps now is the time to go after those companies who have been involved with the Pro ranks and offer them an alternative program at an affordable price. At the very least they will learn there is an alternative. This much I know - It's easier said than done.

What’s the worst-case scenario? At the end of the day we may end up with more local Stk/SS races that are fun, affordable and maybe even profitable. NHRA & IHRA have their hooks firmly set in most of us and it will be a struggle to break away. I guess it’s up to you in the long run as to whether you want to be part of making a new program a reality or deal with another form of reality and that is more of the same from the existing sanctioning bodies.

Happy trails everybody.

Chuck

[X-TECH MAN]

Great Post from Chuck Porter. Can you imagine the win, runnerup, and round money that could have been paid to Stock and S/S racers with just the payroll and bonues paid to T. Compton and Dallas Garner alone not to mention the rest of the money grubbers !

[63corvette]

Its those at the top of NHRA (No Happy Racers Allowed) that make all the money.
Much more than they are worth!!!!!!!!!!
If you talk to the event and parking personnel they will tell you very quickly they do not make much money and I believe them.
My 2 Cents

[njk53]

Speedworld in AZ would be a prime place to have a S/SS event. I have been there a few times every year for the last 5 years and it seem like the owner/promoter is really trying hard to cater to the sportsman racer. It may be worth a look if this takes off.

[Greg Hill]

How about this? A stock and super stock race Labor Day weekend with purses of 5-10k for each winner, class races and a combo race on Saturday night. We would have time to line up sponsors and find a race track in the central part of the country. I'm just throwing this out to see what everyone thinks. How about it Mickey Thompson? Would you be interested in helping?

Greg

[Ricky Clark]

Greg, you know that our gang will support this race if you can get it going. That will make about 10-15 cars.

[Greg Hill]

Ricky, send me an e-mail .

Greg