doorslammers
 

Just got my flier for next weeks doorslammers at Ohio valley. Saw payout for super stock and stock. 1000 to win. Same as it was at the first one in 1974 when entry was about 20 bucks. Payouts went up .when I won it in 1995 payout was 2000, entry was about 50. Entry now 130-140 for two people,150-200 for diesel, 100 race fuel, 100-150 of you stay on motel 2 nites. So we are up to 500 to 600 to race for 1000 to win and payout back is not much either. It just seems track operators always have their hand in the racers pocket. Come on ,cut payout in half from 20 years ago with over double entry fees. Can race at local track for 1000 in footbrake for 30 bucks. I know, bracket racing ,but its all bracket racing other than the ego thing about going fast with a combo. It's just sad the way the racers are treated by tracks,associations, and manufactures. Just my 2 cents. Still like to run up and down the track, just don't like some of the stuff that goes with it.

Re: doorslammers
 

Brother you just said a mouthful most racers feel just as you do and many are sticking close to home or spending there weekends elsewhere.I don't know where there going to get the next generation of racers....My son that has his own race car added up my cost of attending the sportsnationals this weekend and said dad this just doesn't make sense I can't argue that fact when as you stated all the cost have doubled and payouts are less than half what we where racing for years ago.I don't have the answer but I think trouble is brewing for class racing in the not to distant future

Re: doorslammers
 

I was looking at going to Bristol this weekend to run SST.
Drive 300 miles and pay$160 I think to run for?????????????????
or
Drive 140 miles and pay $125 to run 2 races for $3,000 each.

Both races have their good points
SST will be 5 or 6 rds with no Buybacks against similar cars as mine

Bracket race will have a good bit or fast dragsters, 2 rds of Buybacks, and 7-8-9 rounds to win.

Bracket race is much closer to home with 2 shots at winning money.

HHHHMMMMM

I agree with your post about increasing costs and the amount we race for. I think thats why guys are choosing to stay home instead of doining either.
Chip

Re: doorslammers
 

tell him Noel,
Payouts have NO WAY kept up with cost to race. I remember what it paid in 1974 also.

Re: doorslammers
 

Some good points. Were there any fans in the stands in 74 ? ---Trevor

Re: doorslammers
 

Have you been going to much Noel,I think Randall said you was @ London one night.
The way everything cost now races that used to pay 1K should be 10K now.

Noel, Has Greg ever finished his ChevyII?
In case you did'nt know London is running 1k Sat&Sun modified(foot brake) $40 no min.
they are starting about 12 I believe Sat.

I was planning on going this weekend and to Doorslammers next weekend,but it looks like I'll be staying home financially embarssed,my cash is sitting in floor waiting to be picked up(done engines)

I would say the stands were packed.
Mike Taylor3601

Re: doorslammers
 

FWIW, I'm planning to bring my Achieva down to run brackets. Haven't been to bigtime race for a long time. Yeah, it's a lot of money, entry fees for two days, gas for the car, diesel for the truck. Food for a couple days. Hope we can camp at the track, as nice as a motel and hot shower at nite would be, I've spent much more miserable times.

Re: doorslammers
 

ALL of the NHRA and IHRA races are like that--pay more to enter, to race for less to win.

Re: doorslammers
 

Except for the IHRA Summit Sportsman Spectacular races, that paid $5,000 to the winner for a $200 entry fee....you guys know how I felt about that one from Memorial Day, that sadly will never happen again there! :(

Re: doorslammers
 

Back in '74,, you usually had lots of fans in the stands. Went to my first drag race as a teenager in '68 and there were fans always lined up outside the gates waiting for the track to open, and they usually packed the house. We had 3 local tracks here at the time. Puyallup,, Bremerton and Seattle International Raceway and each track had programs and events that would draw big crowds. I never saw a national event until '74 at Ontario, California for the NHRA Supernationals/World Finals which totally blew me away with the thousands of people that attended it.
Its sad that races don't draw the fans like days gone by,, but theres a multitude a reasons for that, and thats a topic for another thread.
Danny Durham

Re: doorslammers
 

Yep, lots of fans in stands .got to looking lately at old pics and even in 90's I've got pics of my cars going down tracks with the stands full. Nowdays look at final runs in national dragster, don't look like there is enough people in the stands to get a good card game. Just too many things for people to do I guess and most young people arent interested. Another thing, wallys and iron men, now they are giving themaway for a weekly bracket race? Wth? Makes me want to put mine on ebay. Then maybe I would feel they are worth something. Just my cynical two cents worth. Drag racing ,a diease, had it since 1966. Still searching for a cure.

Re: doorslammers
 

The stands were packed for divisional races in the '60s & '70s, but Pro Stock & Top Gas & Top Fuel raced divisional races back then. Paid more, counting contingencies, than it does now with nowhere near $100.00 to enter. That same number of dollars bought way more than it does now. You could build a new car with the money you won for winning Stock at Indy. You could probably put a deposit on a new engine (if you don 't do your own) with your winnings now. Or, in my case this year, pay my Visa bill for the month of Indy this year. LOL

Re: doorslammers
 

We have this discussion weekly. Its part of the reason the Classnationals came about.

Just where does the money go? And where does the "insurance surecharge" go? Im sure not to K&K.

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