Does anybody really care?

[Alan Roehrich]

If they've got all the decals on the car and bought their parts with an eye on contingency payouts, maybe $7K, I'd be surprised if anyone in Stock or Super Stock cracked $10K for a win. Friends that race for a living say maybe $5K or so.

[Mark Yacavone]

I hope this doesn't sound like I'm sticking up for NHRA management.
I would say the decline in contingency awards has more to do with the economy in general, than NHRA.
The economy is not well and not getting better.
Some would make the case that it's terminal.
Take a look at the most recent Divisional entries in Div 2.
Those who still have money left will continue to race until they too, run out, or the dollar collapses completely.
Again ,there's a good case being made that it is inevitable.
But that brings us into political discussion,...and the bottom of the main page.

[GUMP]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

I hope this doesn't sound like I'm sticking up for NHRA management.
I would say the decline in contingency awards has more to do with the economy in general, than NHRA.
The economy is not well and not getting better.
Some would make the case that it's terminal.
Take a look at the most recent Divisional entries in Div 2.
Those who still have money left will continue to race until they too, run out, or the dollar collapses completely.
Again ,there's a good case being made that it is inevitable.
But that brings us into political discussion,...and the bottom of the main page.

Sad, but true. There isn't a lot of money out there.

[Jack McCarthy]

the decline in contingency awards is twofold, only one is NHRA's fault

1. the administering of the contingency program by NHRA put undue financial obligations upon the sponsors for the benefit of NHRA not the sponsors customers. NHRA not only did nothing to enhance thier partnership as the sponsor dollars dried up they continued to apply more financial obligations to the ones who remained.

2. the appeal of NHRA racing waned as the "performance car" died for 20 years leaving the sponsors with no-one at the track to sell thier products to. No longer were there 30,000 spectators wandering the pits who DROVE a 69 mustang and wanted an edelbrock intake like the SS champ used who could be marketed to.

that's my .02 worth and i miss my class winner $1000

captain jack

[rognelson777]

Wow, how soon we forget, Nhra national events, better schedule for racers implemented 2 years ago so at most events, 2 round of stock is not run sunday at 7pm. Text messages when you are called to the lanes at divisional and national events. National event Sportsman winners at most events interviewed in front of the fans in the stands between pro semis and finals.
Advance cancellation of events when weather is a problem instead of we are going to try to get race in.

Live timing for divsional events.

Added factory stock super stock classes when new cars were quote ruining class racing.

Have payouts increased, no but I also have not seen drastic increase in entry fees the last few years while all other costs have gone up, looked at your electric bill lately, how about your insurance bill?.

Unfortunately handicap dial in racing does not draw fans and bring in sponsor money because there is no need to go faster, it is only to be consistent with the occasional heads up race. Enjoy what you have now.

[Byron Worner]

All costs associated with competing at an event such as entry fees, competition # and membership have increased tremendously over the past 5 years while payouts, including contingency, have remainded the same. The contingency amounts, $300 and 100 for national events and $100 and 50 have been the same for 20+ years!

[Bruce Noland]

Originally Posted by rognelson777

Wow, how soon we forget, Nhra national events, better schedule for racers implemented 2 years ago so at most events, 2 round of stock is not run sunday at 7pm. Text messages when you are called to the lanes at divisional and national events. National event Sportsman winners at most events interviewed in front of the fans in the stands between pro semis and finals.
Advance cancellation of events when weather is a problem instead of we are going to try to get race in.

Live timing for divsional events.

Added factory stock super stock classes when new cars were quote ruining class racing.

Have payouts increased, no but I also have not seen drastic increase in entry fees the last few years while all other costs have gone up, looked at your electric bill lately, how about your insurance bill?.

Unfortunately handicap dial in racing does not draw fans and bring in sponsor money because there is no need to go faster, it is only to be consistent with the occasional heads up race. Enjoy what you have now.

Can you please tell us what all these wonderful perks are worth?

[Dale Rethke]

It's funny how people still cry about payouts and costs of racing all the time.
Have you looked around the pits and seen what people use to get there?
Not too many open trailers???

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Dale Rethke

It's funny how people still cry about payouts and costs of racing all the time.
Have you looked around the pits and seen what people use to get there?
Not too many open trailers???

That's a good point ,Dale , but like I said earlier, those folks just haven't run out of money or credit yet.
God bless my friends that can still do that, but it can't sustain with the current situation in our government.
Ask Dan, Mark, Joe Jr. and a few more how hard it is to do this professionally.
Better yet, ask Michael Beard. We wins often, with a bare bones operation, but still uses other sources for income.
There are a few independent promoters that could sustain Sportsman racing, in the right venues and locations, but people or going to have to forsake the Wally thing, or go down with the ship...in my opinion.

[James Perrone]

Originally Posted by Mark Yacavone

That's a good point ,Dale , but like I said earlier, those folks just haven't run out of money or credit yet.
God bless my friends that can still do that, but it can't sustain with the current situation in our government.
Ask Dan, Mark, Joe Jr. and a few more how hard it is to do this professionally.
Better yet, ask Michael Beard. We wins often, with a bare bones operation, but still uses other sources for income.
There are a few independent promoters that could sustain Sportsman racing, in the right venues and locations, but people or going to have to forsake the Wally thing, or go down with the ship...in my opinion.

Let's be real all of us are doing cause we love it.why is the motorhomes such a jealousy factor ?we are all wasting our money we don't have? Are you kidding? Why throw stones .if you race to get rich your an idiot .mike beard makes his money promoting races.sort of like Nhra. Reading this stuff is pathetic