What is it about NHRA or IHRA Nationals that you like?

[Wade Mahaffey]

Do you like racing at national events because of the 1) Wallys/Iron men, 2) Money, 3) Prestige, 4) Comaradery, 5) Track preparation/condition, 6) Tech enforcement, 7) Level of competition, 8) Class winner? I ask this because it seems that the largest car count in Stock an Super/Stock are at the nationals.

Do you feel that part of your entry fee is being used to fund other categorys ie Pros, Alcohol, Top S&D as well as other inhancements? If so, what could be done with a national event size entry cost if all of the entry monies came back to your class? Now I know the track needs operating cost which would be taken off the top.

Would you pay a national event size entry to run a (S, S/S combo) or even a (Divisonal) type event if the additional money was used to pad the payout?

Wade Mahaffey

[Michael Beard]

National Event "Likes"
IHRA - Ironman, money, prestige (magazine & TV coverage), comaradery, track prep, friendliness, plus a biggie for me: **SCHEDULE**
NHRA - primarily running for the additional exposure for sponsors (file under "prestige"). For me, the one draw I can't get elsewhere is the large competitor/spectator base and high magazine circulation.

Would you pay a national event size entry to run a (S, S/S combo) or even a (Divisonal) type event if the additional money was used to pad the payout?

Yes. Refer to the US Class Nationals and the $10K Combo in the Hills (coming up in just a few weeks!) The biggest thing these non-sanctioned events need is exposure. Work a deal with online and print media, and you have the best of all worlds. The US Class Nationals did it well.

[Wade Mahaffey]

Michael,
With the amount of entry dollars for a national event, what kind of payout structure could be possible without the big show? Would that be enough to attract racers to another race and thus some competition for NHRA. I think it would be wise to develope a new basket for some of the eggs.

What is the entry for the USCN and the 10K?

Wade Mahaffey

[Michael Beard]

Completely depends on the track. Track rentals are going to range anywhere from $5K-$15K/day, and you have to balance the cost and quality of the facility (not to mention location) with what that facility can draw for cars. I can get some tracks cheaper yet, but if I can't get cars to show up at them, doesn't do me any good. Also have to weigh promotional costs, and much, MUCH more...

If you're doing a standalone S/SS meet, you're probably looking at a 2-day event, $15K in expenses, so even with a $300 entry, you try to pay $10K to win... if you get 64 cars per class, you're going to lose your butt. Big money races are always predicated on car count. You typically need 135 cars to break even, 150+ is the sigh of relief, and then over 200 cars you start making stupid money. So what's the goal? If you don't have a huge bankroll, you put car count minimums in place to protect yourself with a prorated purse, and then no one shows up. Guarantee the purse and pray people show? I've done a great deal of studying and planning to revive a USCN type event, but quite frankly, I don't have the bankroll to cover in the event that racers decide not to support it.

Now, you do a complete Sportsman show with Stk, SS, three .90 classes, and TS, TD, and now you've got 7 classes to help reach the bottom line... but also more financial exposure. Just the difference between 50 cars per class and 64 cars per class can make or REALLY break you.

I developed a race purse calculator spreadsheet a few years ago, and let's just say it's eye-opening to would-be promoters...

[Ed Wright]

4,5,6,7

[THE LEGEND]

1,2,3,4, and the Fuel Alterds at the IHRA races.
Chip Johnson

[chris3racing]

We race at all types of events, not just NHRA/IHRA. We have memberships in NHRA, IHRA and NMCA and our car will pass tech safety inspection at either. We have all of our equipment up to date. We race for the fun of racing and our sponsors are happy. We go to the races as a family and we enjoy the time at the track and seeing the people we know and meet.

The money vs. car count vs. spectators has always been a discussion. Think about 520 cars with a $60 entry fee add to that 25,000 spectators each of two days at $25 then you pay out $18K winner take all. This does not even account for the concession money taken in for a week-end.

[Future Stock]

**

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey

Do you like racing at national events because of the 1) Wallys/Iron men, 2) Money, 3) Prestige, 4) Comaradery, 5) Track preparation/condition, 6) Tech enforcement, 7) Level of competition, 8) Class winner? I ask this because it seems that the largest car count in Stock an Super/Stock are at the nationals.

Do you feel that part of your entry fee is being used to fund other categorys ie Pros, Alcohol, Top S&D as well as other inhancements? If so, what could be done with a national event size entry cost if all of the entry monies came back to your class? Now I know the track needs operating cost which would be taken off the top.

Would you pay a national event size entry to run a (S, S/S combo) or even a (Divisonal) type event if the additional money was used to pad the payout?

Wade Mahaffey

1-7 on your first question (not many venues where a 15secsec car race for that kind of money/exposure)?

Absolutely do I feel my entry fee "is being used to fund other categories", like the "Pros, Alcohol, Top S&D", and the other "enhancements especialy from Glendora"! The sparse tv coverage we get doesn't help us much, but it sure helps the other categories (pros especially)! Paying 2nd round on up would be a nice beginning, or reduce our entry fees, and make the pros start paying for a little of the entry costs, since they (and the alcohol cars), are enjoying most of the tv coverage, and most of them have the big sponsorships to boot!

No (to your last question...especially with what Glendora's charging now for nat. events...Yes however, with the IHRA, because they're $105 bucks less for non-Jegs nat.'s!)! I wouldn't (by choice), pay the same $ for a combo or national open race as I would for a divisional (because no points are involved...I sorely miss Div. 5 for this reason). I can't justify paying the same price for a "National Open" race than you do for a divisional (out in D7 that is), when you're only racing for a grade point, and your hand (possibly) in the prize purse...if I wanted to race at (let's say) Pomona, and needed the grade pt to get in, that would be my only exception to the otherwise outrageous extra cost!