Making a profit in drag racing ????

X-TECH MAN · 08-17-2010, 04:32 PM

I have a question and would like some honest answers. Suppose you were going to get into drag racing and would like to break even from all your overhead or make a small profit. Which class or catagory would you choose to run in either with NHRA or IHRA or BOTH?
Also consider you were a decent engine builder even if you out sorced your machine work and you did all of your own maintenance. You were capable of building your own ride or finding and purchasing a good used rolling chassis and were a decent driver but maybe not a Dan Fletcher type driver.
The sportsman classes would be your only option here (No Pro Class) so should/would you race a class car (stocker, S/S)? A Super Class car(S/G. H/R, S/C? or stay close to home and race a bracket car at weekly events or big money races? Maybe a dual purpose car such as some race?
It will be interesting to read about what decisions most of you would make and who cares to answer this senario. Please disreguard the class racing vs throttle stop racing and bracket racing arguments.
Anyone??????

G Schenck · 08-17-2010, 04:38 PM

Whatever class your big sponsor wants you to run. That is the only way you will be in the black.

Greg

John Kelley · 08-17-2010, 05:00 PM

This thread could get interesting !
That leaves a motorhome out, and no 80 foot rigs !!
Perhaps a S/ST and lots of bracket racing ? You could put a S/ST car together fairly cheap and with a pickup and open trailer like Beard has it could be done. But I'd have trouble sleeping in a tent :-) !

RACER1530 · 08-17-2010, 05:08 PM

How to make a small fortune racing
START WITH A LARGE ONE!!!!!!

Brister · 08-17-2010, 05:19 PM

In IHRA you should ask Beard or Piatek. Both are skilled drivers with what appears to be very conservative (aka low budget) racing operations. If anyone has a shot at a profit, I would expect these two guys do.

I hear one of them is actually a pretty good wrench (sorry Mikey).

Philip Saran · 08-17-2010, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kelley

This thread could get interesting !
That leaves a motorhome out, and no 80 foot rigs !!
Perhaps a S/ST and lots of bracket racing ? You could put a S/ST car together fairly cheap and with a pickup and open trailer like Beard has it could be done. But I'd have trouble sleeping in a tent :-) !

John, add a 8 ft cab over camper to the truck, then you have a bed,
small bathroom, and kitchen. Difference in gas milage is not much.

Jim Woods · 08-17-2010, 05:22 PM

I would build a low budget crate motor or gt stocker and bracket race it as often as possible at decent paying events.and hope for the best

John Kelley · 08-17-2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip Saran

John, add a 8 ft cab over camper to the truck, then you have a bed,small bathroom, and kitchen. Difference in gas milage is not much.

That sounds like a a racer from the LA area back in the old days. A guy by the name of Phil Cameron, he had a header outfit called Overseer Headers. He raced a lot with a pickup,camper & open trailer ! Every car he raced had a For Sale sign on it the first time he took it to the track. He was a regular at OCIR,Irwindale, Ontario and Famoso.
He was a FRUGAL racer for sure ! :-)
I believe he had some half brothers that raced also,seems like one was Brian Pierson.
I can't remember the others name right now.

Andys dad · 08-17-2010, 05:47 PM

Top Fuel pays $10,000 to qualify but I think that is a drop in the bucket

Simply put there is no class which can provide income without a sponsor

Ask Dan or Mark or Tobby or David

Wade Mahaffey · 08-17-2010, 06:37 PM

A dragster is the supreme drag race vehicle. They have a superior advantage aginst door cars in the bracket format. You can race Top Dragster and/or Super Comp/Quick Rod and be just as competitive in either. You can't do that alone, with any other classes. You can race a stocker in S/S, but not as competitive. All you have to do is look at Scotty Richardson, Peter Biondo, etc. or go to any big money race. If it was just about the smart money...you would be in a dragster. Now if you can build the car, engine, transmissions, sell race parts, that is the way to make a profit in drag racing. Be your own sponsor, showcase your product on your own entry. It's sweet when you go to a race and transport a product for someone...and get paid! That's how you race in my book, bring home more money than you left with! If you put forth the effort in any career, that you put forth in racing....You would be a rich SOB. I like racing for the competition value, and I'll be in a little 60 Corvette SS/LA because that's what I like. I don't always like what's best for me. LOL. Sometimes fun is worth more than money.

Wade Mahaffey

08-17-2010, 04:32 PM	#1
X-TECH MAN Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lake Placid, Florida Posts: 3,203 Likes: 1,047 Liked 235 Times in 110 Posts	Making a profit in drag racing ???? I have a question and would like some honest answers. Suppose you were going to get into drag racing and would like to break even from all your overhead or make a small profit. Which class or catagory would you choose to run in either with NHRA or IHRA or BOTH? Also consider you were a decent engine builder even if you out sorced your machine work and you did all of your own maintenance. You were capable of building your own ride or finding and purchasing a good used rolling chassis and were a decent driver but maybe not a Dan Fletcher type driver. The sportsman classes would be your only option here (No Pro Class) so should/would you race a class car (stocker, S/S)? A Super Class car(S/G. H/R, S/C? or stay close to home and race a bracket car at weekly events or big money races? Maybe a dual purpose car such as some race? It will be interesting to read about what decisions most of you would make and who cares to answer this senario. Please disreguard the class racing vs throttle stop racing and bracket racing arguments. Anyone?????? Last edited by X-TECH MAN; 08-17-2010 at 04:52 PM.

08-17-2010, 04:38 PM	#2
G Schenck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Harahan, La. Posts: 521 Likes: 41 Liked 81 Times in 35 Posts	Re: Making a profit in drag racing ???? Whatever class your big sponsor wants you to run. That is the only way you will be in the black. Greg

08-17-2010, 05:00 PM	#3
John Kelley Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tightwad,TEXAS Posts: 911 Likes: 6 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Making a profit in drag racing ???? This thread could get interesting ! That leaves a motorhome out, and no 80 foot rigs !! Perhaps a S/ST and lots of bracket racing ? You could put a S/ST car together fairly cheap and with a pickup and open trailer like Beard has it could be done. But I'd have trouble sleeping in a tent :-) !

08-17-2010, 05:08 PM	#4
RACER1530 Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Jersey Posts: 161 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Making a profit in drag racing ???? How to make a small fortune racing START WITH A LARGE ONE!!!!!! __________________ Fordyce Motorsports SC 1538 / SC 153R

08-17-2010, 05:19 PM	#5
Brister Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: morehead city, nc Posts: 83 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Making a profit in drag racing ???? In IHRA you should ask Beard or Piatek. Both are skilled drivers with what appears to be very conservative (aka low budget) racing operations. If anyone has a shot at a profit, I would expect these two guys do. I hear one of them is actually a pretty good wrench (sorry Mikey).

08-17-2010, 05:22 PM	#7
Jim Woods Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: celina, ohio Posts: 623 Likes: 4 Liked 12 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Making a profit in drag racing ???? I would build a low budget crate motor or gt stocker and bracket race it as often as possible at decent paying events.and hope for the best __________________ Jim Woods

08-17-2010, 05:47 PM	#9
Andys dad VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Arcadia, Ca Posts: 1,571 Likes: 48 Liked 175 Times in 78 Posts	Re: Making a profit in drag racing ???? Top Fuel pays $10,000 to qualify but I think that is a drop in the bucket Simply put there is no class which can provide income without a sponsor Ask Dan or Mark or Tobby or David __________________ time is our most precious resource, you can always make more money but you can never make more time spend your time wisely with the ones you love - Ron Durham

08-17-2010, 06:37 PM	#10
Wade Mahaffey Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 581 Likes: 0 Liked 18 Times in 8 Posts	Re: Making a profit in drag racing ???? A dragster is the supreme drag race vehicle. They have a superior advantage aginst door cars in the bracket format. You can race Top Dragster and/or Super Comp/Quick Rod and be just as competitive in either. You can't do that alone, with any other classes. You can race a stocker in S/S, but not as competitive. All you have to do is look at Scotty Richardson, Peter Biondo, etc. or go to any big money race. If it was just about the smart money...you would be in a dragster. Now if you can build the car, engine, transmissions, sell race parts, that is the way to make a profit in drag racing. Be your own sponsor, showcase your product on your own entry. It's sweet when you go to a race and transport a product for someone...and get paid! That's how you race in my book, bring home more money than you left with! If you put forth the effort in any career, that you put forth in racing....You would be a rich SOB. I like racing for the competition value, and I'll be in a little 60 Corvette SS/LA because that's what I like. I don't always like what's best for me. LOL. Sometimes fun is worth more than money. Wade Mahaffey