What happened to Divisional schedule release? - Page 5

Don Kennedy · 11-09-2022, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Domm

Funny thing but when I saw Brainerd hosting a NPK race the first thing that crossed my mind was/is there anything going on between them and NHRA?

My question how much Money Does NHRA charge the track to have a divisional points race is valid does anyone know ???

1347 · 11-09-2022, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Kennedy

My question how much Money Does NHRA charge the track to have a divisional points race is valid does anyone know ???

You need to go back to when Bobby Fazio had Bill Bader on his show. When he explained how the price structure worked with NHRA for divisionals, it didn't seem bad at all. I would like to have some other opinions on it if some can find time to listen to the show.

1347 · 11-09-2022, 11:01 AM

Carguy49 · 11-09-2022, 12:20 PM

It was brought up about promoting the races at tracks. Many don't understand the need to promote. Yes, it costs money to promote a race, but to get people there you need to advertise. With all that being said, I have to give kudos to 2 tracks here in the northwest.

1 - - I was at Firebird Raceway near Boise for 1 day of the Divisional race there. Very good attendance and great food. I got a large burger, fries and a coke for $13. I got there early so parking was easy, when I left late in the day the spectator parking was quite full. Lots of people walking around and in the stands.

2 - - I was at Woodburn Drag Strip in Woodburn, Or. and saw lots of people there including many camping for the whole 4 days. The track even had a truck come by and the campers could dump their tanks in trailers/motorhomes. Lots of people in the stands and walking the pits. I brought my own food for this event, but the concessions were busy. This event was a double header Divisional.

These are 2 examples of tracks understanding needs and wanting people to come and enjoy their events. Just my 2 cents. Again kudos to these tracks. I had a great time at both tracks.

340Cuda · 11-09-2022, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Fuller

The Norwalk Divisional usually has a good number of spectators. Are they just good track operators or what?

In my opinion they are probably the best drag strip operators in the county.

My son and I have raced there a couple of times for Hot Rod's Drag Week. The last time we were there I think they said we would be let inside the gates at 6:30 and in the pits at 7:00.

Bill Bader Jr. himself was there to open the gates at 6:30 and the pits opened exactly at 7:00.

We get inside and of course the place is spotless.

How many tracks have you been to that have a customer service number posted in the stands to call if you have any problem?

Bill Lamb

Emily Stott · 11-09-2022, 11:47 PM

As to Mike Pearson’s first post… I noticed the 3 in a row in March which it hard…period, add in most people stay between the Gainesville races (just doesn’t make financial sense to go home) then basically straight to S. GA. Pretty hard for working folks.

They did it again in September ie… Galot, Charlotte, Virginia (not to mention the back tracking across NC

But for D2 racers we have NOTHING in May, 1 in June, 1 in July (Columbus for us) NOTHING in August until Indy.

The powers that be say it’s the summer heat, I better not even comment on that.

rboyle · 11-10-2022, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carguy49

It was brought up about promoting the races at tracks. Many don't understand the need to promote. Yes, it costs money to promote a race, but to get people there you need to advertise. With all that being said, I have to give kudos to 2 tracks here in the northwest.

1 - - I was at Firebird Raceway near Boise for 1 day of the Divisional race there. Very good attendance and great food. I got a large burger, fries and a coke for $13. I got there early so parking was easy, when I left late in the day the spectator parking was quite full. Lots of people walking around and in the stands.

2 - - I was at Woodburn Drag Strip in Woodburn, Or. and saw lots of people there including many camping for the whole 4 days. The track even had a truck come by and the campers could dump their tanks in trailers/motorhomes. Lots of people in the stands and walking the pits. I brought my own food for this event, but the concessions were busy. This event was a double header Divisional.

These are 2 examples of tracks understanding needs and wanting people to come and enjoy their events. Just my 2 cents. Again kudos to these tracks. I had a great time at both tracks.

Here in the Northeast a couple of tracks that seem to do a great job promoting their races are New England Dragway and Maple Grove Dragway. The NED race usually has jet cars and wheelstanders on Saturday night but they draw pretty well all weekend. They have some of the best concession stands and do some nostalgia car show stuff also. But the stands are usually pretty full.
Maple Grove always drew well and the new owners have done some nice upgrades and added good food truck options. They also sometimes do jet cars.

Jon Sarrett · 11-10-2022, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 340Cuda

In my opinion they are probably the best drag strip operators in the county.

My son and I have raced there a couple of times for Hot Rod's Drag Week. The last time we were there I think they said we would be let inside the gates at 6:30 and in the pits at 7:00.

Bill Bader Jr. himself was there to open the gates at 6:30 and the pits opened exactly at 7:00.

We get inside and of course the place is spotless.

How many tracks have you been to that have a customer service number posted in the stands to call if you have any problem?

Bill Lamb

Norwalk is my home track so I'm a little biased but Jr and Evan are by far the best track operators in the country! You will find none better than SMP and I have raced left and right coast with many in between. Leading up to his premier events he gives tickets away, radio spots, raffles, etc. There is more money in the concession and apparel than ticket prices! If anyone is on the fence about coming up this way, don't hesitate....you certainly will not be disappointed. On a side note, Jr, Bobbie and Evan are extremely approachable and will listen to everything you have to say.

BKSG1198 · 11-10-2022, 10:43 AM

So being around the Northeast and speaking to some of the track managers / owners when doing my schedule for the MA .90 Series I get a lot of insight into how the Divisionals work (Rather I want to know or not, they seem to just tell me when chating). As Bader said they pay a fee to host a divisional event, from what I was told it's $15k for under 350 cars and as the car count goes over that it's like 15-20 per car that comes in the gate. The 15k pays for the NHRA travel expenses, car rentals, crew fees, hotels, etc so the $15k isn't just a drop in the bank account it's used for expenses and if they have a rainy day the fee doesn't go up but, they have to eat that expense (The MG rain fest in 2021). The track takes all the entry fees in and pays out the payouts, so if you get a well-attended no alky event it plays in the tracks favor because the payouts are set on a pro-rated xxx...(over 32 cars pays 2K, etc). I think some forget that the payouts are pro-rated which I know surprised a few TS / TD folks when there weren't 16 cars at a few D1 races this year. In D1 for the most part we hit or go over the 32 car fields in the main categories (Stk. SS, .90).

The tracks basically make their cash off of spectators and concession stands for a Divisionals, like Bader did a few years ago, he passed out like 15,000 free tickets to local auto part stores, grocery stores, charged $15 to park and threw an additional $1 or $2 onto the hot dog, t-shirt and soda stands which in turn makes up for the FREE ticket. People will come when the word FREE is placed onto it, most people don't read the fine print saying parking....etc. When you add Alky onto the bill, the track pays for their payouts and depending on where they finished in the division the year before determines what they get next year. I believe Champ gets free entry and driver & 7 crew, 2-5 get driver and 3 crew and 6-10 get driver plus 1 crew in for free, plus they have to add additional insurance onto the event because you have faster cars which also require a higher ambulance squad to be on location....so you look at around $18k in expense if you get a full field of alky cars and I believe #9 & 10 non-qualifiers get paid also. When you add in a show for the fans (Jets, Wheelstanders, etc) they need to get paid also. I think jets get like $1,000 for 2 passes per car and still get paid even if it rains out.

So hope this puts a little perspective on how the divisional work and what the tracks have to endure with costs. So when a track doesn't show up on a divisional schedule I don't think the track is trying to hurt the racers but, more or less saying we could host a Test & Tune that weekend, have no payout and clear $20k.

Jim Wahl · 11-10-2022, 01:02 PM

Another question that I haven't seen discussed is why The race at SGMP is the same weekend as the NMCA race at Orlando? Both tracks owed by Ozzy. On it's face it doesn't make sense. Thoughts? Jim

.

11-09-2022, 11:01 AM	#43
1347 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Monroe Twp NJ Posts: 507 Likes: 1,042 Liked 1,001 Times in 276 Posts	Re: What happened to Divisional schedule release? __________________ Duane Hoven 1342 SS/GT

11-09-2022, 12:20 PM	#44
Carguy49 VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Fife, Washington Posts: 1,982 Likes: 2,481 Liked 2,956 Times in 710 Posts	Re: What happened to Divisional schedule release? It was brought up about promoting the races at tracks. Many don't understand the need to promote. Yes, it costs money to promote a race, but to get people there you need to advertise. With all that being said, I have to give kudos to 2 tracks here in the northwest. 1 - - I was at Firebird Raceway near Boise for 1 day of the Divisional race there. Very good attendance and great food. I got a large burger, fries and a coke for $13. I got there early so parking was easy, when I left late in the day the spectator parking was quite full. Lots of people walking around and in the stands. 2 - - I was at Woodburn Drag Strip in Woodburn, Or. and saw lots of people there including many camping for the whole 4 days. The track even had a truck come by and the campers could dump their tanks in trailers/motorhomes. Lots of people in the stands and walking the pits. I brought my own food for this event, but the concessions were busy. This event was a double header Divisional. These are 2 examples of tracks understanding needs and wanting people to come and enjoy their events. Just my 2 cents. Again kudos to these tracks. I had a great time at both tracks. __________________ Ron McDowell - Did Race Every day is a Gift - Enjoy with family and friends. Last edited by Carguy49; 11-09-2022 at 12:42 PM.

11-09-2022, 11:47 PM	#46
Emily Stott Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Campobello, SC Posts: 292 Likes: 0 Liked 372 Times in 28 Posts	Re: What happened to Divisional schedule release? As to Mike Pearson’s first post… I noticed the 3 in a row in March which it hard…period, add in most people stay between the Gainesville races (just doesn’t make financial sense to go home) then basically straight to S. GA. Pretty hard for working folks. They did it again in September ie… Galot, Charlotte, Virginia (not to mention the back tracking across NC But for D2 racers we have NOTHING in May, 1 in June, 1 in July (Columbus for us) NOTHING in August until Indy. The powers that be say it’s the summer heat, I better not even comment on that. __________________ Emily Stott Volkman SS/GA #291

11-10-2022, 10:43 AM	#49
BKSG1198 VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Vineland, NJ Posts: 2,631 Likes: 96 Liked 1,286 Times in 393 Posts	Re: What happened to Divisional schedule release? So being around the Northeast and speaking to some of the track managers / owners when doing my schedule for the MA .90 Series I get a lot of insight into how the Divisionals work (Rather I want to know or not, they seem to just tell me when chating). As Bader said they pay a fee to host a divisional event, from what I was told it's $15k for under 350 cars and as the car count goes over that it's like 15-20 per car that comes in the gate. The 15k pays for the NHRA travel expenses, car rentals, crew fees, hotels, etc so the $15k isn't just a drop in the bank account it's used for expenses and if they have a rainy day the fee doesn't go up but, they have to eat that expense (The MG rain fest in 2021). The track takes all the entry fees in and pays out the payouts, so if you get a well-attended no alky event it plays in the tracks favor because the payouts are set on a pro-rated xxx...(over 32 cars pays 2K, etc). I think some forget that the payouts are pro-rated which I know surprised a few TS / TD folks when there weren't 16 cars at a few D1 races this year. In D1 for the most part we hit or go over the 32 car fields in the main categories (Stk. SS, .90). The tracks basically make their cash off of spectators and concession stands for a Divisionals, like Bader did a few years ago, he passed out like 15,000 free tickets to local auto part stores, grocery stores, charged $15 to park and threw an additional $1 or $2 onto the hot dog, t-shirt and soda stands which in turn makes up for the FREE ticket. People will come when the word FREE is placed onto it, most people don't read the fine print saying parking....etc. When you add Alky onto the bill, the track pays for their payouts and depending on where they finished in the division the year before determines what they get next year. I believe Champ gets free entry and driver & 7 crew, 2-5 get driver and 3 crew and 6-10 get driver plus 1 crew in for free, plus they have to add additional insurance onto the event because you have faster cars which also require a higher ambulance squad to be on location....so you look at around $18k in expense if you get a full field of alky cars and I believe #9 & 10 non-qualifiers get paid also. When you add in a show for the fans (Jets, Wheelstanders, etc) they need to get paid also. I think jets get like $1,000 for 2 passes per car and still get paid even if it rains out. So hope this puts a little perspective on how the divisional work and what the tracks have to endure with costs. So when a track doesn't show up on a divisional schedule I don't think the track is trying to hurt the racers but, more or less saying we could host a Test & Tune that weekend, have no payout and clear $20k.

11-10-2022, 01:02 PM	#50
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 668 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: What happened to Divisional schedule release? Another question that I haven't seen discussed is why The race at SGMP is the same weekend as the NMCA race at Orlando? Both tracks owed by Ozzy. On it's face it doesn't make sense. Thoughts? Jim . __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.