|
06-13-2015, 12:37 PM | #41 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 811
Likes: 8
Liked 125 Times in 26 Posts
|
Re: Does anybody really care?
Quote:
__________________
Gary Smith "another broke racer spectating" Last edited by Gary Smith; 06-13-2015 at 01:10 PM. |
|
06-13-2015, 01:47 PM | #42 |
VIP Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Derby City, USA
Posts: 3,458
Likes: 992
Liked 7,169 Times in 1,387 Posts
|
Re: Does anybody really care?
Alan, a close friend of mine will often ride throughout the sportsman pits and declare.....Look at all the poor ness.....LOL... Isn't it ironic that NHRA follows such a poor business model yet so many of the sportsman racers are astute business men and ladies and that is why they can afford such expensive toys...ie....support equipment....M.J.
|
06-13-2015, 02:54 PM | #43 | |
VIP Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Murfreesboro TN
Posts: 4,969
Likes: 1,136
Liked 1,218 Times in 313 Posts
|
Re: Does anybody really care?
Quote:
As an example, Kevin bought the motorhomes we traveled in in order to make it nice for his wife to go to the races. Really, asking a wife not devoted to racing like we are to stay in a super confined space with her husband and his crew chief is a bit much. Why shouldn't she be relaxed and confortable? It's her time away, too. Later, she didn't go much, and Kevin downsized. To the point where we had about 8'x8' of living space. The motorhomes are good for other things, too. That same motorhome can be used for any sort of traveling. Why should a family be restricted to one type of leisure activity? Another thing about it, two hotel rooms for three nights gets expensive if you do it often. Figure $120 a night total, if you stay in a real cheap motel, for 3 nights a weekend, 8 or 10 weekends a year. Now figure a payment on a new/newer 1 ton crew cab that costs between $50K and $80K, then that gap gets real narrow, figuring the payments on a 60-72 month schedule. When the bigger rigs are financed like a home mortgage and hold their value fairly well, it starts to make sense, if you can swing it. These days, rigs get stolen all too often. Most often, when people spend the night at a hotel. The bigger rigs avoid that exposure. And I agree, if racers can figure out how to create a good business model and live relatively well, why can't NHRA figure out a decent business model and afford to increase payouts like they increase their salaries?
__________________
Alan Roehrich 212A G/S |
|
06-13-2015, 10:22 PM | #44 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Re: Does anybody really care?
Why does the Big boss of one of the stock super stock associations get a phone call when his association draws more cars than some NHRA events.
|
06-13-2015, 10:35 PM | #45 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: usa
Posts: 256
Likes: 1
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
Re: Does anybody really care?
Good post Alan. Motor home vs. motel/food costs vs. staying at the track with your equipment! Dead on! Those of you who travel alot like myself already figured out the cost savings plus the comfort/ safety level/ convenience of a race rig configured for 10-16 hour trips one way and 4-5 day stays. I did the tow hub, the flat bed, the 28 enclosed, the 48 ft. with living quarters for years until I finally added up the expenses. It is a a draw at best.
Now to payouts: for the costs to travel to a points meet including entry and other fees the payouts are an insult. Without contingency I can win more in a 100 mile radius at combo races for 50 bucks entry and be at home in bed by midnight. The payout problem to me is more about an insult than it is about dollars. I raced the points circuit/ national events for 12 years in the 90's and I didn't win alot. Maybe a couple runners ups and 3 wins a year and never cleared..yes cleared, after expenses including tires engine freshen ups, etc never less than 52k. That's decent money for a hobby. It literally payed for itself and made me a decent amount to put in the business. Keep in mind....a hobby. I already had a viable race engine business. I'm not referring to the racer that hits 5 div and a couple natls. close to home. If you don't win or r/u you don't need to worry about payouts because it dosen't matter...you aren't going to make any money anyway. But if you are serious about racing you will learn, progress, and get better. As others have said, the economy is in the worst shape in my lifetime. Irregardless what the news tell you. Anyone in business knows the truth. So that's my take on money, payouts etc. Now, back on topic: I think that MJ made a very logical and a very human post about Mr. Compton. Like MJ and others I wish Mr. Compton the best and hope whatever problems he or his family faces are brief and turn out for the best. Irregardless of what I think about his role in NHRA. To me that has nothing to do with his well being or the well being of his family. And I don't really think anyone truly wishes him bad. In ending......payout is a reward for being the best on a given day. A reward if you will. Without a justified reward some will continue to race many won't. It needs to be fixed an has needed fixing for alot of years. I relied on contingency as my reward and in my opinion that needs to be fixed also. Will I race for free? Hell yea! Why? Because I, over the years can afford to. The answer would have been very different 25 years ago. We need to grow this sport and grow our racer base and the current conditions with the economy and the sanctioning bodies are making this impossible. |
06-14-2015, 09:55 AM | #46 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 770
Likes: 393
Liked 275 Times in 87 Posts
|
Re: Does anybody really care?
After reading this thread from the beginning, I must admit I spoke too soon. Its started as a sympathy thread about the never ending saga of the personal tragedy of TC, "there go I except for the Grace of God", all the way to blame it on all the high rollers with the big rigs, lets bring back flat bed trailers and ramp trucks, and now its cheaper to buy a motorhome or a LQ trailer than stay in a motel for 15-20 days a year because its cheaper ( I can stay at the Hilton for around $140.00 a night and eat breakfast for free for 20 nights =$2800.00) Yeah right, lets get us a $150,000.00 MH and save some money.....
Like I said I admit I spoke too soon......I don't really care. RJ |
06-14-2015, 10:41 AM | #47 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: East Texas Piney Woods
Posts: 126
Likes: 105
Liked 38 Times in 11 Posts
|
Re: Does anybody really care?
Quote:
The two scenarios: 1) NHRA's position with the sportsman racer; 2) the sportsman racer with the big rig; simply don't belong in the same discussion together.
__________________
Bill Bagley 4561 STK Endeavor to Persevere! |
|
06-14-2015, 02:26 PM | #48 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: most places
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 1 Post
|
Re: Does anybody really care?
I've heard some of the racers with big expensive rigs have also been "deflating" their rear tires to gain an advantage ....
__________________
Billy Leber 1150 SS, 1050 SG, 1962 STK, 185 SC |
06-14-2015, 06:08 PM | #49 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: duncannon
Posts: 837
Likes: 14
Liked 126 Times in 20 Posts
|
Re: Does anybody really care?
Now that's funny Billy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________
Tim Worner SS 1747 |
06-14-2015, 06:23 PM | #50 |
Sponsor
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Churchville, NY
Posts: 486
Likes: 115
Liked 1,003 Times in 64 Posts
|
Re: Does anybody really care?
I'm embarrassed to say it took me a minute, but LMAO!
|
|
|