Re: Making a profit in drag racing ????
 

I'm gonna chime in now. Finished third in Super Stock IHRA points in 1980. Not in the division, Nationally, they didn't have divisions back then. Don't exactly remember what all I won or R/U at. During the winter before, my partner talked me into keeping a log of all winnings and expences. Never kept it before.
Well, in 1980 it cost me and my partner $32,000 to win $28,000. We watched our money pretty close. By the end of the season I was so tired of Bolonie (spell?) sandwiches.
That's the closest I've ever come to "making money".

Terry, The Corvette might STILL be for sale.

Re: Making a profit in drag racing ????
 

The problem is class racing doesnt pay as much now, the contingencies are getting less each year so its harder because the cost increases. Not trying to sound negative but look at the payout today compared to 3-5 years ago, there is a big difference. One thing that would help is more combo races with good payouts like Pat had at No Problem Raceway. You get your money at the track and have three races in one weekend, or more if you choose to race like Michael did and double enter.

Re: Making a profit in drag racing ????
 

$50,000 for a SS/AH Chassis and $50,000 for an engine...........Thats way to cheap. Some chassis builders charge in excess of $100,000 to do the chassis AFTER you supply a decent car. Last track I had on a "Winning" fast SS/AH Hemi engine (might last 10 or 12 runs) was in the $75,000 range. I guess you could cut corners and tow it with an old pick up and a wooden flat bed trailer or use towing hubs and a tow bar.....lol.

Re: Making a profit in drag racing ????
 

Save a few bucks.....no towing hubs...pull the drive shaft and keep an eye on the rear end gears...

Re: Making a profit in drag racing ????
 

You could always take an old 10.70 bracket car, set up a ballast system with old barbells, and run 10.90 index. Keep the car basic with no stop or timers and keep the engine combo very basic+ mild so you don't have alot of maintenance. No-- Hold on--- That could never be competitive against all those cars with electronics.:D

Making money at racing is almost a pipe dream. I am satisfied with the fact that I have a hobby that gives me the opportunity to recover some of my expenses. Sometimes you have a GOOD year (don't break anything and win a few races). Other times you have a bad year( break stuff and don't win alot). It usually evens out. Just race for the love of the sport and you'll be much happier.

Eddie Bolton

Re: Making a profit in drag racing ????
 

If you really want to know how to make a profitt racing in the non-pro classes talk to David Rampy but remember, he still has a sponsor.

Doing it out of your own wallet will never work, don't care who you are.

Remember the old saying about Drag Racing: "If you want to be a millionaire Drag racer......start with 3 million" !

Racing is supposed to be fun, be happy that you can race and maybe break even.

JimR

Re: Making a profit in drag racing ????
 

Another worthy investment you can make is in the driver... there are both live and online driving schools available these days, from the likes of Luke Bogacki and Scotty Richardson. Guest Instructors make that knowledge pool even deeper. Each has made an instant difference to a large number of their students. I spent 10 minutes on the phone with a bracket racer this weekend, and he went from a consistent .060 spot on the tree to being .005, .005, -.008. :cool:

Eddie -- You've gone over to the dark side. ;) What do the numbers look like comparing taking two cars/trucks/trailers to the track compared to the new toter/stacker combo? It'd be nice to run two cars, but for me, I don't actually think the second car would save me any money, as I'd need a bigger truck, bigger trailer, all resulting in an additional investment and lower fuel mileage. I could be persuaded to ***** myself out to drive a second car for someone else. ;) (Every time I get an "attaboy" from Bertozzi, I tell him that I'm just auditioning for him... LOL)

I've considered building an "NHRA" stocker engine for the Volare so that I could run Stock in NHRA, as well as both Stock and Super Stock in IHRA, but now that I have everything paid off, I question if it's worth investing in a new combo, when what I have works. Plus, my schedule is tight enough as it is. The excessive amount of time it takes to complete NHRA events is a turn-off to me.

Re: Making a profit in drag racing ????
 

Thats why I think IF anybody can make money IN and not OFF of dragracing it will be a bracket racer. Maybe a lower budget stocker who also bracket races.




Man Mr Yacavone, you are the only person on facebook twitter, and about 10 racing forums that has had anything negative to say thus far. And that even includes yellobullet.com.. Where the weak are killed an eaten!
The video is actually quite good from a youtube video editing perspective, and it was suppose to be somewhat of a parody... Other than that.. All serious. Cant be afraid to be different and do something to get peoples attention if you have big aspirations... Like Drooze said, no publicity is bad publicity.... Remember one way of making money in racing is sponsor dollars... Even if you are infamous.. You get exposure. And if nothing else, the dude has more passion about the sport then anybody else I know.. Possibly even myself.

Re: Making a profit in drag racing ????
 

Doesn't surprise me about the forums mentioned, at all. This forum has, I guess what I could say is, a more "mature " perspective to it.

You said it yourself, that it was somewhat of a parody .That's the feel I took away from it.
That , and a bit of P T Barnum.

Re: Making a profit in drag racing ????
 

Jimi B I enjoyed his video, man shows passion but the best thing going for him, his wife is right with him and he's continuing a relation with his father. Profit is a long way for him but with dedication he might be right in there with the pack in the future. I'm sure there is a lot of racer that are turning a profit Frank Mark from New Jersey is one that come to mind(Sometimes). The good thing about Mr Mark he isn't afraid to take a young aspiring driver and help him better himself, I've seen it many times with a lot of racers, I've done it many times helping someone new to the track, to facilitate his enjoyment at the track. Billy Nees is another one who has help many racer reach their potential. I've profited from the information and friendship that I've made in racing ten to one compared to everyday life. Claude Ruel