Why Aren't You Racing? - Page 2

jmcarter · 07-02-2010, 07:45 AM

Agree with the opinions on the economy; but ultimately it has to be the confidence we've lost that the current government is going to turn the ship or if in fact they are even interested in doing that. Until we all get involved and elect people that represent true American values and rewarding people for hard work instead of inventing new reasons for entitlements the confidence will continue to plummet, and racers will be less inclined to spend their discretionary dollars.

Ed Carpenter · 07-02-2010, 07:19 AM

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I have made 3 IHRA doubles this year so 6 races in all. Never been to that many. Plan on attending the double in Crandall in Sept so that will make 8. When we went down to State Capitol in May it cost me a *(&&() fortune. I don't know how you guys do it running races all over the place. Ed

dug283 · 07-02-2010, 08:37 AM

Expensive $$$$, I agree with everyone else post. And would like to add, after spending $$$ and winning a 1st round race then losing the 2nd round. We still leave empty handed... 1st round $$ would help a bit and give some incentive. Also the class prize $$ is not reflecting collected entries. Racers cost are rising, but the prize $$ is not or racers income. Compared to bracket racing at any of the local tracks, which I only do to get ready for class racing. I race for 800.00 - 500.00 prize $$, completed in the same day at a cost of $100, entry fee being 25.00 - 30.00. There are some other issues to deal with bracket racing, but my point is expense vs possible income. I love clas racing, but my wife looks at it from a math point of view.

Mike Carr · 07-02-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuces wild

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I have made 3 IHRA doubles this year so 6 races in all. Never been to that many. Plan on attending the double in Crandall in Sept so that will make 8. When we went down to State Capitol in May it cost me a *(&&() fortune. I don't know how you guys do it running races all over the place. Ed

The IHRA Doubles, while it's nice that youi can get two races for one trip, makes for an expensive weekend. A Double Race weekend is $350, just in crew/entry fees. If I had done the double at MIR this year, with motels, gas, tolls, etc, it would have been nearly a thousand dollars for one weekend.

A trip to Atco or E-town would be about $100 round trip just in tolls, too.

And, to answer the original question, I haven't raced since November 2006, because I'm not happy with the way racing is, and is going, and decided the effort, time and money wasn't worth it. I never thought I would see the day when I would lose the enthusiasm for racing, but it happened.

X-TECH MAN · 07-02-2010, 10:33 AM

Maybe we all should move in next door to Mr. Beard to cut back on the tolls and travel.....lol. Racing up north and especially around NJ and New "Yack" can get pretty pricey just in tolls when towing a trailer. Been there and done that.

Michael Beard · 07-02-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Carr

The IHRA Doubles, while it's nice that youi can get two races for one trip, makes for an expensive weekend. A Double Race weekend is $350, just in crew/entry fees. If I had done the double at MIR this year, with motels, gas, tolls, etc, it would have been nearly a thousand dollars for one weekend.

I call BS on this one. As your math teacher used to say, "Please show your work." I'm pretty sure it ain't $300 in tolls on that trip.

John Lang · 07-02-2010, 12:21 PM

I would enjoy raceing ,even though the cost is higher, just not as many races, the problem I have is ,MENEARES Disease, (Vertigo) ! It really hurts to not be able to race, after doing it since 1956. I have 2 race ready cars, if they ever figure out how to solve my problem ! Guys count your blessings, money is really the least of it !!,,, John

randy wilson · 07-02-2010, 12:22 PM

Not enough time. Plus, i'm 55, and not near as dedicated as when i was 18.

D.Harvey32 · 07-10-2010, 09:43 PM

Nothing in racing either NHRA or IHRA has been the same since I was a kid. It was fun back then and I couldn't wait for my time because I'd see everything come to play without a big pain in the wallet. Now all I hear is how unfair everything is. NHRA and IHRA are trying to push the 95% of wats the holding the organization together, away. In other words, the sportsman classes. We pay too much, using so little just to have a small gaurantee of a miniscule winning money. Pro classes dont' pay anything to enter an can walk away with abt $50,000 or $500,00, i forget. They dont even have to pay for much getting there because they have their big name sponsors. So many changes in the competition makes going to national events unapealing. I feel asheamed of how expensive the sport is getting and how much neglect the 95% of the organization is getting jus to try to increase the people in the stands.... ITS ACTUALLY PUSHING THEM AWAY by the way.......

rod · 07-10-2010, 10:41 PM

let me ramble for a bit here. in the 60's and 70's, when i raced a lot, it was really fun. for the most part you built your own stuff and brain power was king and cubic cash was second. class cars were the norm. if you were smarter than the next class car guy, you could win. in '67 mike and i ran a '56 in c/gas with a 4V 327 and were competitive with the hilborn cars [never won nothing] in '69, i had a J/S 4V '57 and could out run a 8V 57, because that guy had no clue what he was doing. friends would help anytime. nowadays everyboby buys what they need, every car is just like the next one. that goes for low class stockers to top fuel. everyone spends so much $ on their car, that they can't afford to help anyone with any tip, elsewise their competitor might beat them by part of a tenth. at the end of the day there are no friends. no friends no fun. the tracks cut down time trials to cut their labor time. no time trials, means every run is a gamble. make a move the wrong direction and you go home, early. money spent for no return. i remember day races which opened at 8:00AM and first round wasn't until 2:00PM. i remember the old Stardust strip in 'vegas would open at 6:00PM, first round was at 11:00. the temp was so nice. the new 'vegas track opens at 4:00PM, first round is at 7:00. there is 30 degrees temp change. how do you race like that? when you go to 'vegas there are 20 spectators. when PSCA races at vegas it costs $90.00 for the cheap class, for one day. the normal guy can't do that very often. next year income taxes will be going up, gas will be going up, gate fees will be going up, parts will be going up. the only thing which will be going down is a racers desire to go. NHRA has long lost care for the little guy, in favor of john force. i know it cost the normal strip owners a lot to do business. without them we can't race. however, until they become 'racer friendly', and help the racer, they won't get cars, no cars means no spectators. and spectators pay the money [which runs the business] , not race cars.
rod in AZ

07-02-2010, 07:45 AM	#1
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,308 Likes: 2,418 Liked 3,227 Times in 981 Posts	Re: Why Aren't You Racing? Agree with the opinions on the economy; but ultimately it has to be the confidence we've lost that the current government is going to turn the ship or if in fact they are even interested in doing that. Until we all get involved and elect people that represent true American values and rewarding people for hard work instead of inventing new reasons for entitlements the confidence will continue to plummet, and racers will be less inclined to spend their discretionary dollars. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

07-02-2010, 07:19 AM	#2
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Re: Why Aren't You Racing? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ I have made 3 IHRA doubles this year so 6 races in all. Never been to that many. Plan on attending the double in Crandall in Sept so that will make 8. When we went down to State Capitol in May it cost me a *(&&() fortune. I don't know how you guys do it running races all over the place. Ed __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

07-02-2010, 08:37 AM	#3
dug283 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 64 Likes: 11 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Why Aren't You Racing? Expensive $$$$, I agree with everyone else post. And would like to add, after spending $$$ and winning a 1st round race then losing the 2nd round. We still leave empty handed... 1st round $$ would help a bit and give some incentive. Also the class prize $$ is not reflecting collected entries. Racers cost are rising, but the prize $$ is not or racers income. Compared to bracket racing at any of the local tracks, which I only do to get ready for class racing. I race for 800.00 - 500.00 prize $$, completed in the same day at a cost of $100, entry fee being 25.00 - 30.00. There are some other issues to deal with bracket racing, but my point is expense vs possible income. I love clas racing, but my wife looks at it from a math point of view.

07-02-2010, 10:33 AM	#5
X-TECH MAN Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lake Placid, Florida Posts: 3,203 Likes: 1,047 Liked 235 Times in 110 Posts	Re: Why Aren't You Racing? Maybe we all should move in next door to Mr. Beard to cut back on the tolls and travel.....lol. Racing up north and especially around NJ and New "Yack" can get pretty pricey just in tolls when towing a trailer. Been there and done that.

07-02-2010, 12:21 PM	#7
John Lang Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sheboygan Wi Posts: 391 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Why Aren't You Racing? I would enjoy raceing ,even though the cost is higher, just not as many races, the problem I have is ,MENEARES Disease, (Vertigo) ! It really hurts to not be able to race, after doing it since 1956. I have 2 race ready cars, if they ever figure out how to solve my problem ! Guys count your blessings, money is really the least of it !!,,, John __________________ John Lang 365 STK, SS

07-02-2010, 12:22 PM	#8
randy wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: N/A Posts: 882 Likes: 0 Liked 22 Times in 22 Posts	Re: Why Aren't You Racing? Not enough time. Plus, i'm 55, and not near as dedicated as when i was 18. __________________ don,t have one

07-10-2010, 09:43 PM	#9
D.Harvey32 Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Why Aren't You Racing? Nothing in racing either NHRA or IHRA has been the same since I was a kid. It was fun back then and I couldn't wait for my time because I'd see everything come to play without a big pain in the wallet. Now all I hear is how unfair everything is. NHRA and IHRA are trying to push the 95% of wats the holding the organization together, away. In other words, the sportsman classes. We pay too much, using so little just to have a small gaurantee of a miniscule winning money. Pro classes dont' pay anything to enter an can walk away with abt $50,000 or $500,00, i forget. They dont even have to pay for much getting there because they have their big name sponsors. So many changes in the competition makes going to national events unapealing. I feel asheamed of how expensive the sport is getting and how much neglect the 95% of the organization is getting jus to try to increase the people in the stands.... ITS ACTUALLY PUSHING THEM AWAY by the way.......

07-10-2010, 10:41 PM	#10
rod Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kingman, NW AZ. in the middle of the longest stretch of Route 66 Posts: 315 Likes: 0 Liked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Why Aren't You Racing? let me ramble for a bit here. in the 60's and 70's, when i raced a lot, it was really fun. for the most part you built your own stuff and brain power was king and cubic cash was second. class cars were the norm. if you were smarter than the next class car guy, you could win. in '67 mike and i ran a '56 in c/gas with a 4V 327 and were competitive with the hilborn cars [never won nothing] in '69, i had a J/S 4V '57 and could out run a 8V 57, because that guy had no clue what he was doing. friends would help anytime. nowadays everyboby buys what they need, every car is just like the next one. that goes for low class stockers to top fuel. everyone spends so much $ on their car, that they can't afford to help anyone with any tip, elsewise their competitor might beat them by part of a tenth. at the end of the day there are no friends. no friends no fun. the tracks cut down time trials to cut their labor time. no time trials, means every run is a gamble. make a move the wrong direction and you go home, early. money spent for no return. i remember day races which opened at 8:00AM and first round wasn't until 2:00PM. i remember the old Stardust strip in 'vegas would open at 6:00PM, first round was at 11:00. the temp was so nice. the new 'vegas track opens at 4:00PM, first round is at 7:00. there is 30 degrees temp change. how do you race like that? when you go to 'vegas there are 20 spectators. when PSCA races at vegas it costs $90.00 for the cheap class, for one day. the normal guy can't do that very often. next year income taxes will be going up, gas will be going up, gate fees will be going up, parts will be going up. the only thing which will be going down is a racers desire to go. NHRA has long lost care for the little guy, in favor of john force. i know it cost the normal strip owners a lot to do business. without them we can't race. however, until they become 'racer friendly', and help the racer, they won't get cars, no cars means no spectators. and spectators pay the money [which runs the business] , not race cars. rod in AZ