Splits
 

I posed this question on the Stock/Super Stock side but in case you might have missed it... Who has "split" in NHRA racing? It's pretty well known in bracket racing circles only because of the top-heavy purses, but isn't that the same thing when it comes to losing in the semifinals of a national event? This story ran last year but it's still relevant today. Your thoughts?

https://dragracingedge.com/splittin-up/

Re: Splits
 

Come on John , You know there isn't enough money in Super Class racing to even consider a split .
Plus how would you split contingency payments ?
I have been pressured to split at bracket races in the past and I have never given in .....It's cost me some bucks for sure .
My feeling is once you agree to a split you are admitting to yourself you do not have confidence in your ability to win the race .

Re: Splits
 

I'm not saying you are wrong, but I don't see it that way at all. Depending on the purse structure, it can just be good business.

I know I can beat my opponent, but I also know that they can beat me. I like my chances, but I'm not unbeatable.

I think it can help take pressure off and let the race play out as it should. Let's say a race is $10K to win and $3K to runner-up, which isn't uncommon. I'm more than happy to leave the track every weekend with $3K, but if I can guarantee myself $6K and have a runoff for another $1000, why not? I wouldn't miss the $3K I gave away off the winner's purse as much as I'd regret going home with $3K when it could have been double that after a handshake.

I am risk-averse though. I don't casino gamble, because I'd miss the money I lost more than I'd enjoy the money I won.

I agree about the NHRA purses not being enough money to bother with, and posted such in the Stock/Super Stock topic.

Re: Splits
 

All the splits I've been involved with were mostly as offered to me, usually by a friend or at least someone I raced with frequently so I always accepted just as a token of courtesy. Didn't feel it had anything to do with my own confidence or weighing the odds. Mind you this was all bracket racing but if someone I didn't particularly care for offered to split I would always decline, again; it all depends on who does the offering. Few years ago I was racing in Super Street final at a National Open (no contingency) with someone I considered a friend and I brought up splitting. I could tell immediately that he wanted no part of it, that our past experiences were markedly different and I swore then that I would NEVER offer to split again. If someone offers to split with me my response will be solely based on who is offering, regardless of purse structure or their past record.

Re: Splits
 

Anytime someone asks to split in my series I tell them to do the split after I've paid them, so they get whatever payout is decided and then if they decide on a 60/40 or 70/30 split then they can do that with themselves. If their is a big gap with the winner to runner-up purse I will pose a split to the two racers and they can decide if they want too. Some racers go for it and some don't, it's up to them.

Re: Splits
 

Rob, do you pay cash or check?

Re: Splits
 

Cash!

Re: Splits
 

I've split in IHRA Pro-Am stuff but it's never come up the NHRA side. Probably wouldn't be opposed to it, however as others have commented, it would probably would depend on who it is.
When I'm bracket racing I ALWAYS take the split. It's guaranteed money. I too feel that I have a reasonable chance of winning the next round but I also remind my self that the cat in the other lane has had just as many passes down the track and just as many looks at the tree as me and he didn't get to that point with 6 or 7 lucky rounds.