Purses & Contingencies
 

With the announcement of this year’s NHRA Contingency Sponsor list and what appears to be a very short one at that (although I believe we’ll find that by the time the first car pulls into the water box in Pomona in less than a month, that list will grow), does anyone realize that there is only a small percentage of racers who will be lucky enough to take advantage of the money posted? As an example, at most divisional events, there are only 16 racers (winner and r/u from the eight “core” classes – TAD, TAFC, Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Gas and Street) who will be able to pull from the now-reduced list. This begs to ask the question: Does it REALLY matter to you if that list had 100 or just 50 sponsors? For some, the “thought” of being able to “win” the big money is a risk they’d like to take, but does it really MATTER? What WOULD cause you to either attend or not attend a race?

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Re: Purses & Contingencies
 

First of all, the quote,,,,“thought” of being able to “win” the big money " is a little confusing. The NHRA payout is very little if you win compaired to the possable contingency winnings. Regardless, we all love to race and everyone including NHRA and IHRA knows that, it is an addiction, a passion that never goes away. With that being said, most of us race because we love it, and if we win, then the money is a great bonus, with the exception of a few, Dan fletcher, Biondo, etc who do it for a living, thats the icing on the cake. ,I have my one and only Walley placed where I can see it everyday, but the monies I won that day are long gone, but I would have traded the money for the memories and the trophy any day.
Fortunatly for me, in this troubled time, I still have a good job and everything is status quo, "knock on wood", so I will keep going racing as I can afford and things will change for the better, History repeats itself, As long as NHRA upper management addresses it somehow and it doesnt seem as though they are, but who knows what is goingon behind the seens, we will all be driving many miles again just spend a lot of money riding around on our golf carts and B,S ing with each other and going a few rounds, complaining about something of course, but thats part of the fun.
The only thing that could keep me away right now would be affordability, and I am going this weekenfd to get myself a new scooter, doing some improvements on my race car and doing my share of stimulating the economy. Hopefully that will continue.
Sorry for the long Jason type rambleing. No offense Jason, I like your mpost.
Tony

Re: Purses & Contingencies
 

Sure it makes a difference John, especially for those of us that have 6 hour tows to every single race. At some point, if contingency were to go away completely, you'd basically be saying that I would be competing for:

1. $1,000
2. A nice shiny trophy
3. Sometimes a grade point (if it is a division, open, or Sportsnationals)

I certainly like Wallys, and I can't get that anywhere but racing at NHRA events. But, if I can race locally for the same $1,000 every single week (and sometimes more), and then you factor in the cost to get to an NHRA race, without the contingency money there is little to no incentive to travel to these races.

That said, even as the contingency stood last year, LODRS events were questionable at best, but unfortunately if you want to go to National events (and go for the potential big payout), they're a necessary evil. So, I will most likely go to 3 LODRS / opens to get a decent grade point, and then I'll be out (unless by some miracle I'm leading the division at that point, where I might be tempted to chase the gold card, but even that's unlikely as the cost doesn't justify it for a guy that would only go to a total of 5 or 6 NHRA races).

Now, if I lived in southeastern PA or NJ, it would be a different story. If I had 5 LODRS events (of 7) and 4 opens (of 5) within a couple hours of my house, I'd attend all of them regardless. But I don't, nor do the majority of the racers D1.

This is a different topic, but it seems to me that NHRA could use some presence outside the southeastern PA / NJ area...

And no offense taken Tony!

Re: Purses & Contingencies
 

No disrespect John, But isn't that like asking someone if they wanna make $100,000 this year or $50,000?

Re: Purses & Contingencies
 

Dear John,
I can't believe you just posted that.

Re: Purses & Contingencies
 

I second that. I replied further on the S/SS forum.

Re: Purses & Contingencies
 

well i know im new to the super class racing,but i can tell you this...i do not rely on winning for me to be able to enjoy racing. i have my share of wins,but now im looking to get into a more competitive and "more testing" type of racing. the money to win to me is just a added bonus.i do have confidence in my abilitys,but i can honestly say i dont expect me to win every race i enter,but i am sure i will have the best time racing and meeting new people along the way.....just my .02

Re: Purses & Contingencies
 

B Chillik. I agree with you that it's about the friends and just being able to race, but that can be found racing in your local area and at the weekend bracket race.

After this I'm sure many may have already changed their schedules for 2009. The SS/BA Superstocker will probably see more time bracket racing this year than anything. As of now I'm not driving 4 to 12 hours to NHRA/IHRA races that cost 8-10 times more for the entry fee and pay nothing more than the weekend bracket race. If you want trophies then stop by the house and I'll give you some for free, but those are from my days of playing TEE ball and Little League:) The trophy is nice also, but I at least want the chance to make the LONG trip worth my while monetarily.

Re: Purses & Contingencies
 

It's simple, the real racers will go where the money is.

Re: Purses & Contingencies
 

This was not a stupid question, nor is any "disrespect" taken. we'd just would like to know what it is that would make you attend or not attend an event. If it's just the money you're after, much like a gambler going to AC or Vegas, why not go bracket racing? It's still racing. Run under the dial/index and you lose.