Does anybody really care? - Page 4

Tony Corley · 06-13-2015, 07:48 AM

Good Post above by Bobby Fazio ^^^^^^^

Dale Rethke · 06-13-2015, 08:22 AM

I guess if you have an expensive car you still can complain it just looks a little stupid when you seem to have the most assets maybe?
Ok
Now since everyone complains about payout which is nothing great where should this improved payout come from?
Nobody in the stands/What advertiser wants to put up anything?
Contingency payout?
Dan knows more about this then anyone what is the deal with it.

If your looking for payout to offset your costs in any real way vs your investment your kidding yourself.
You do this because you love it regardless of the economic common sense of it and the fun of competing and being around racing friends you have met over many years and maybe having your family with you when you do win that day.

You do it because you love the sport

Alan Roehrich · 06-13-2015, 09:19 AM

ROFLMAO.

That's like telling an abused wife that it's okay if her husband beats her, because she really likes being married and all her friends in the neighborhood.

Dale Rethke · 06-13-2015, 09:45 AM

wow

I think most people would tend to agree with my point on why they enjoy the sport.

Alan Roehrich · 06-13-2015, 09:54 AM

Nobody said they didn't love the sport.

YOU said payouts don't matter because people with nice rigs have plenty of money.

Dale Rethke · 06-13-2015, 10:08 AM

I don't think anything constructive can come form this.
Take care

dragracer9911 · 06-13-2015, 10:49 AM

I have been a member of the NHRA since the 1969. I missed two years when I first got married because I could not afford the membership.

Personally, I can't remember when I ever "voted" or was asked to cast a vote anything as a member of this assocation. I am a member of several other assocations and I am lucky enough to have a few stocks, in which both have asked for me to vote for different things like board of directors, COF's, CEO's, etc. So I have offen wondered why, for example, I get a "Fan Guide", Decal/Sticker and a "Hat Pin" with my NHRA membership, but I no longer get a "Rule Book" (in paper form), that I can really use. I didn't get that choice, like so many other things.

I have not renewed my membership as of yet for this year, and probably will not. I have retained my IHRA memebership, more for insurance as I race most at IHRA tracks. The "straw that broke the camel's" back for me was the position that NHRA took with regards to the TV Show Street Outlaws. No, I don't condone street racing. I have supported most of my life Legal Drag Racing, competed at scantioned tracks. But this was a darn TV show. At least it comes on at a decent time, when I am still awake. To me, it's no different than Pro Wrestling, Dancing with the Stars or Fast and Loud, it's entertaining to me. NHRA drag racing on TV has become boring and drawn out. NASCAR has become the same way. The cars are all the same, the racers are all the same, the results are predictable.

Big Rigs. I mean not disrespect to those who have all the cool stuff, hell yes, if I ever win the Lottery, I will have it too. And yes, I would love to see better and timely payouts, but the reality of "our" kind of racing is, if run as a business, we would all be broke. At our local track, the weekly bracket program has gone from $1,000.00 to win to $1,500.00 for TOP ET. The average rear engine dragster, truck and trailer and support equipment is over $100,000. Many are well over $ 250,000 if they have a decent motorhome, stacker trailer, etc. Entry fee, crew entry, food, drinks, fuel, etc is at least another $150.00 to $200.00 or more. So, even at our track, that pays back to the second or third round, tell me, as a business man how the racer or the track operator ever breaks even.

We, or should I say I, do this for the fun and love of the sport that I have loved for 54 years. I do it now with my wife, son and grand-daughters. We don't go on vacations or family trips. We go to the track. Sometimes it's our home track, sometimes we travel, but we do it as a family and for the love of the sport. We race two cars and a JR when we can afford it. We have a 24' box trailer and a 16' open trailer with a box on it. We tow with an old Expedition and older Expedition. We are generally lukcy enough to go to the money rounds, which helps us race the next weekend. When we don't go rounds, we have to watch our money and budget our races. That's just the way it is for us and a whole lot of racers.

Good luck to all.

Alan Roehrich · 06-13-2015, 10:53 AM

This could be as constructive as anyone chooses to make it. However, when someone chooses to make it about how much a racer spends on his rig, it probably won't be, given that what a racer spends on his rig has absolutely nothing to do with what NHRA takes in and what they pay out. As a matter of fact, at one point, NHRA was actually getting money from some of the companies that make those rigs. But what the rig costs is completely and utterly irrelevant to the discussion.

Back to the real issue.

Whose fault is it that the stands are empty at LODRS races?

It is the place of NHRA, and by extension, the tracks, to promote the races, that is one of the biggest reasons NHRA exists to begin with. Or at least, it is what the founding charter said the reasons were. However, NHRA doesn't even advertise locally, and they don't give the tracks any money to do it, either. They sure do charge the tracks for the privilege of hosting an NHRA event though.

The list of things that NHRA could do to help fill the stands is endless. The list of things they actually do, does not exist.

As far as contingency sponsors are concerned, it is not nearly so much about how many fans are in the stands (although that does not help) as it is about how NHRA treats the sponsors and how much money NHRA takes from them out of the contingency fund that should be either going to racers or going back to the sponsors. I know exactly what it costs to be an NHRA contingency sponsor (I worked with one for a few years), and what it gets you. The return on the investment has gotten very poor, and it is no one's fault except NHRA.

Ron Ortiz · 06-13-2015, 10:57 AM

When Powerade came on board as the title sponsor they gave out blue coolers to all the racers with the Powerade decal on them. (decal was placed over Olympic emblem). Only rule was no Pepsi products allowed. I remember Tom Compton and the Budweiser girl riding around in a golf cart saying hi to the racers in the pits. That's the only time I saw him in the pits.

I race on a limited budget with an open trailer and an older motorhome. I guess that qualifies me as a reliable source for complaining, so here it goes.

Repair the contingency program requirements with the sponsors so they can pay out more.
Quit taking such a big cut off the top to supporting vendors.
Treat racers of all classes with respect as a customer.

Now back to finding out if anybody really cares.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA does anybody know what time it really is

Paul Precht · 06-13-2015, 12:25 PM

If Stock and Superstock keep loosing the budget racers that cant justify the expense, the classes will dwindle down to nothing. I think the payout does matter to a lot of well funded racers even though they don't need it. Ask some friends to help paint your house and you may get little response, throw in some cheap hot dogs and a cheap case of beer and people will show up.

06-13-2015, 07:48 AM	#31
Tony Corley Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 264 Likes: 42 Liked 61 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Does anybody really care? Good Post above by Bobby Fazio ^^^^^^^

06-13-2015, 08:22 AM	#32
Dale Rethke Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 50 Likes: 4 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Does anybody really care? I guess if you have an expensive car you still can complain it just looks a little stupid when you seem to have the most assets maybe? Ok Now since everyone complains about payout which is nothing great where should this improved payout come from? Nobody in the stands/What advertiser wants to put up anything? Contingency payout? Dan knows more about this then anyone what is the deal with it. If your looking for payout to offset your costs in any real way vs your investment your kidding yourself. You do this because you love it regardless of the economic common sense of it and the fun of competing and being around racing friends you have met over many years and maybe having your family with you when you do win that day. You do it because you love the sport

06-13-2015, 09:19 AM	#33
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,118 Likes: 1,573 Liked 1,836 Times in 417 Posts	Re: Does anybody really care? ROFLMAO. That's like telling an abused wife that it's okay if her husband beats her, because she really likes being married and all her friends in the neighborhood. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

06-13-2015, 09:45 AM	#34
Dale Rethke Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 50 Likes: 4 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Does anybody really care? wow I think most people would tend to agree with my point on why they enjoy the sport. Last edited by Dale Rethke; 06-13-2015 at 09:48 AM.

06-13-2015, 09:54 AM	#35
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,118 Likes: 1,573 Liked 1,836 Times in 417 Posts	Re: Does anybody really care? Nobody said they didn't love the sport. YOU said payouts don't matter because people with nice rigs have plenty of money. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

06-13-2015, 10:08 AM	#36
Dale Rethke Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 50 Likes: 4 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Does anybody really care? I don't think anything constructive can come form this. Take care

06-13-2015, 10:49 AM	#37
dragracer9911 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 75 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 1 Post	Re: Does anybody really care? I have been a member of the NHRA since the 1969. I missed two years when I first got married because I could not afford the membership. Personally, I can't remember when I ever "voted" or was asked to cast a vote anything as a member of this assocation. I am a member of several other assocations and I am lucky enough to have a few stocks, in which both have asked for me to vote for different things like board of directors, COF's, CEO's, etc. So I have offen wondered why, for example, I get a "Fan Guide", Decal/Sticker and a "Hat Pin" with my NHRA membership, but I no longer get a "Rule Book" (in paper form), that I can really use. I didn't get that choice, like so many other things. I have not renewed my membership as of yet for this year, and probably will not. I have retained my IHRA memebership, more for insurance as I race most at IHRA tracks. The "straw that broke the camel's" back for me was the position that NHRA took with regards to the *TV Show* Street Outlaws. No, I don't condone street racing. I have supported most of my life Legal Drag Racing, competed at scantioned tracks. But this was a darn TV show. At least it comes on at a decent time, when I am still awake. To me, it's no different than Pro Wrestling, Dancing with the Stars or Fast and Loud, it's entertaining to me. NHRA drag racing on TV has become boring and drawn out. NASCAR has become the same way. The cars are all the same, the racers are all the same, the results are predictable. Big Rigs. I mean not disrespect to those who have all the cool stuff, hell yes, if I ever win the Lottery, I will have it too. And yes, I would love to see better and timely payouts, but the reality of "our" kind of racing is, if run as a business, we would all be broke. At our local track, the weekly bracket program has gone from $1,000.00 to win to $1,500.00 for TOP ET. The average rear engine dragster, truck and trailer and support equipment is over $100,000. Many are well over $ 250,000 if they have a decent motorhome, stacker trailer, etc. Entry fee, crew entry, food, drinks, fuel, etc is at least another $150.00 to $200.00 or more. So, even at our track, that pays back to the second or third round, tell me, as a business man how the racer or the track operator ever breaks even. We, or should I say I, do this for the fun and love of the sport that I have loved for 54 years. I do it now with my wife, son and grand-daughters. We don't go on vacations or family trips. We go to the track. Sometimes it's our home track, sometimes we travel, but we do it as a family and for the love of the sport. We race two cars and a JR when we can afford it. We have a 24' box trailer and a 16' open trailer with a box on it. We tow with an old Expedition and older Expedition. We are generally lukcy enough to go to the money rounds, which helps us race the next weekend. When we don't go rounds, we have to watch our money and budget our races. That's just the way it is for us and a whole lot of racers. Good luck to all.

06-13-2015, 10:53 AM	#38
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,118 Likes: 1,573 Liked 1,836 Times in 417 Posts	Re: Does anybody really care? This could be as constructive as anyone chooses to make it. However, when someone chooses to make it about how much a racer spends on his rig, it probably won't be, given that what a racer spends on his rig has absolutely nothing to do with what NHRA takes in and what they pay out. As a matter of fact, at one point, NHRA was actually getting money from some of the companies that make those rigs. But what the rig costs is completely and utterly irrelevant to the discussion. Back to the real issue. Whose fault is it that the stands are empty at LODRS races? It is the place of NHRA, and by extension, the tracks, to promote the races, that is one of the biggest reasons NHRA exists to begin with. Or at least, it is what the founding charter said the reasons were. However, NHRA doesn't even advertise locally, and they don't give the tracks any money to do it, either. They sure do charge the tracks for the privilege of hosting an NHRA event though. The list of things that NHRA could do to help fill the stands is endless. The list of things they actually do, does not exist. As far as contingency sponsors are concerned, it is not nearly so much about how many fans are in the stands (although that does not help) as it is about how NHRA treats the sponsors and how much money NHRA takes from them out of the contingency fund that should be either going to racers or going back to the sponsors. I know exactly what it costs to be an NHRA contingency sponsor (I worked with one for a few years), and what it gets you. The return on the investment has gotten very poor, and it is no one's fault except NHRA. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

06-13-2015, 10:57 AM	#39
Ron Ortiz Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Englewood, Florida Posts: 989 Likes: 35 Liked 317 Times in 103 Posts	Re: Does anybody really care? When Powerade came on board as the title sponsor they gave out blue coolers to all the racers with the Powerade decal on them. (decal was placed over Olympic emblem). Only rule was no Pepsi products allowed. I remember Tom Compton and the Budweiser girl riding around in a golf cart saying hi to the racers in the pits. That's the only time I saw him in the pits. I race on a limited budget with an open trailer and an older motorhome. I guess that qualifies me as a reliable source for complaining, so here it goes. Repair the contingency program requirements with the sponsors so they can pay out more. Quit taking such a big cut off the top to supporting vendors. Treat racers of all classes with respect as a customer. Now back to finding out if anybody really cares. Ron Ortiz U/SA does anybody know what time it really is __________________ Ron Ortiz 2102 STK

06-13-2015, 12:25 PM	#40
Paul Precht Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Elysburg, Pa Posts: 733 Likes: 360 Liked 327 Times in 121 Posts	Re: Does anybody really care? If Stock and Superstock keep loosing the budget racers that cant justify the expense, the classes will dwindle down to nothing. I think the payout does matter to a lot of well funded racers even though they don't need it. Ask some friends to help paint your house and you may get little response, throw in some cheap hot dogs and a cheap case of beer and people will show up.