Making a profit in drag racing ????

[Mike Bassin]

I think the only possible way to drag race without sponsorship and come out ahead a bit most race seasons would to bracket race a door car that is fairly cheap to build and maintain. Let me use Paul Werner as an example. He runs nearly exclusively at Maple Grove Raceway. Paul owns a 80 Chevy Malibu wagon, 350 ci. fairly mild set up, car runs consistently in the 11's, 60ft. the same from first time run til the finals, is towed in, open trailer, older truck and Paul lives 10 miles from the track. He runs Street and Pro, won Street championship in the four years I announced at the MG, 2004 - 2007 and won the Pro championship in 2007, won a 10k foot brake race and many other races in those four seasons. The car didn't hurt parts, was very predictable, the man can cut lights and drive the finish line. Paul is not miles ahead doing this but I'm sure he was in the black and I know he had fun, his brother Dave helps him and his wife attends the races a lot also, he is well liked by his competitors. I think this might be about as good as can get in our sport without major sponsor help or unless you can tie your business into the racing like Michael Beard does. Lots of good stuff on this thread!

Mike Bassin

[Myron Piatek]

For what it's worth, I finally got a minute to comment.

I went from local bracket racing to IHRA CM because I figured there would be more consistent opportunities to win more money and I could get more exposure for the people and companies that help out (sponsors) - so they would continue, or help more! Fortunately, I was right. But as far as sponsors go, I don't have anyone that would be considered a "big" sponsor. Almost all of my help is from product & service discounts or allowances. BUT that is money I don't have to spend that can go towards travel and entry expenses. Trying to keep up with them is a part-time job in itself. Nonetheless, "I" have to do well to keep racing, otherwise I start worrying about how much longer I can continue. I finished 16th in IHRA one year and almost couldn't race the following year.

I admit, I'm a tightwad and cut corners at home too to help! I always sleep at truck stops on the way to and from races, split motels when possible, including with Beard or other friends, or stay with them at "local" events. My 96 qt. cooler is always filled to the top with ice (free from work ) and food/drinks. When I stay at a motel, their ice machines usually help keep it up. I ran a Holley carb on the street and at the races all my life, so a Crate Motor combo with the mandatory Holley was a no-brainer for tuning. I also like IHRA for the shorter event durations, double-headers, lower entries, great programs like the Summit Allstars and Moser Axle Mania (which I didn't qualify for in 2011), etc. Overall IHRA pays less than NHRA, but I figured I could win more often. Hopefully things will improve soon with their contingency. I also started using an enclosed trailer only 4 years ago, which is literally my only "garage". (Had it unused for many years before that - but that's a long story.) Buying a used dually in 2005 was a tough decision. But I figured I had to take the gamble and get a newer, reliable truck if I was going to run around the country so much. A breakdown on the road would not only hurt my racing but force me to take more time off from work.

I chose the lowest HP/heaviest A-body combo so it could be outside the "hornet's nest" of G-H-I/CM combos. I like to go fast and can pick it up some, but i didn't want to get into a $$$ and HP battle in more populated classes. Gotta have money to race FIRST, then worry about going faster when time and money allow.

I also sell parts I don't need on the internet or the big local swap meet inside Daytona Speedway over Thanksgiving.

I actually came out ahead a bit 2-3 times since 1999, including 2009. Not sure how 2010 will end up yet. But getting rich or living off of drag racing ain't happinin'!

Last but not least, I thank God that I somehow developed the ability to do well enough to keep going and make it through the leaner years. It's not easy, but racing is like a "vacation" that let's me "get away from it all" at home. The "fun factor" and great people I've met is priceless. I'll do it as long as I can. I also know that it can end at any time.

[hemidup]

Originally Posted by Myron Piatek

Last but not least, I thank God that I somehow developed the ability to do well enough to keep going and make it through the leaner years. It's not easy, but racing is like a "vacation" that let's me "get away from it all" at home. The "fun factor" and great people I've met is priceless. I'll do it as long as I can. I also know that it can end at any time.

I liked your entire reply, but loved your last paragraph the most.

[cicero819]

Myron Pyatek congratulation on your R/U, hope you split the pot.lol This should help move the needle from the red and might touch the black a little. I think you're what Terry might of had in mind when he started this post. How about a big 440 4 barrel in a 74 Duster in IHRA trim, would make a great car with durability in Brackets. What do you guys think.CR

[Michael Beard]

>> Myron Pyatek congratulation on your R/U, hope you split the pot.

R/U in the Moser shootout was $7,500, as advertised. There was a split, but only shuffling some of the money from the Winner to the semis and quarters.

>> How about a big 440 4 barrel in a 74 Duster in IHRA trim, would make a great car with durability in Brackets.

Cylinder heads aren't very good on a 440, and you're adding a lot of weight to the nose. Nothing wrong with the 360 for durability. I put a bazillion runs on mine every year.

>> I think the only possible way to drag race without sponsorship and come out ahead a bit most race seasons would to bracket race a door car that is fairly cheap to build and maintain.

Two points here: As I opined earlier, do not discount sponsorship, unless it's solely for the sake of mental gymnastics. That's like owning a burger joint but not selling novelty t-shirts because "they're not burgers". Income is income, and marketing is marketing. You don't turn down contingency money, which is also marketing/sponsorship dollars.

Secondly, yes, you absolutely can build and maintain a low-buck bracket car for less, however, you're typically going to run for less money, and have to win more rounds to do it. There's nothing wrong with that in and of itself -- just depends on what your goals are. Been there, done that. Footbrake racing is the cheapest, but there are far fewer big money races available for that type of racing, and while you don't "need" to have a big buck car to compete in Footbrake racing, I can tell you that the quality of cars ($$$) and drivers has skyrocketed in recent years. Big money Box class racing is even crazier, and while you don't have to have two $75,000 dragsters to double-enter, the odds are certainly stacked in their favor. I popped a $3K Top ET race while footbraking at Rockingham this year, but that doesn't mean that I'm realistically going to be competitive on the big stage against the aforementioned purpose-built electronics cars. That being said, there are TONS of opportunities for big buck Box races... so be prepared to shell out some serious money for entry fees (and buybacks) over the course of the season. Again, higher risk, higher reward, with a crazy level of competition. The level of competition in S/SS racing is easier since the majority of the competitors aren't racing 3x a week like a lot of Footbrake and Box guys. Not a dis, just fact. Since moving to NC, I race almost twice as much as I used to (which was already a lot), and I notice a positive difference with the additional seat time. Coupled with the fact that the races require fewer rounds to win, you're looking at an overall return on investment that's much better.

Comparing local brackets to class racing, in my opinion, you can pretty much move the decimal point. Whatever it costs to go racing, multiply it by some factor, but so too with the winnings.

[GarysZ24]

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

Ive been called worse.....lol. Call me whatever you feel like. Like I said I wont be "building" anything at this point and age. Plus its less expensive in the long run than building from scratch. I think IF I race again I will buy a running car (probably a Corvette). Most likely a stocker as I have done cylinder heads for over 40 years and several class engines in the past so I could maintain it and try some of my own changes. This thread was to stimulate some thinking on this forum instead of bitching. Lots of good replies and for some I hope....food for thought. I realized a long time ago not many could come out ahead in this game especially since the cost of everything has gone up and the pay outs have come down. Its mainly an ego trip and something to talk about and a chance to be with friends who have the same interests. Im surprised we havent heard from some good racers like Toby, Fletcher, and some others.

Terry, a lot of what I've read (the first 4-5ppgs), and here's my .02...first you wouldn't build a car as slow as mine, because it would need to be quick enough to run Pro ET. Secondly I'd try to find a class (most likely a stick class), in Stock that seldom has any entries in it. Finally, I'd look at the contingency list to see how many products could you use that pay class contingency money...you just might be able to claim enough class contingencies to break even with most (if not all) of your expenses (provided you travel like Mike Beard with his truck and Volare does)?

The hardest part of the above will be the Pro ET part, but you've played this game so you know what you need to do. Lane Weber can help me out with this one, but back in the '90's there was a racer at Bandimere Speedway who ran an orange Camaro in Pro ET. He was the Dan Fletcher, Pete Biondo, Scotty/Edmond Richardson of Pro ET at the track, and if you beat him you likely either caught him on an off day, or you were closer to perfect than he was (and he was spot on at most every race he attended)! You do that good with a car that can win class often (and can win some rounds of elims), and you just might be able to make a little bit from our great sport???

[hemidup]

Liked your reply Mr. Beard except for the "buy backs". I hate them. If I beat another racer in the first round, just send em home. Some tracks that I've been to even offer buybacks for the second round loser's. ???

[JRyan]

Gary,
Was it Mitch Baker?

Rick

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by cicero819

Myron Pyatek congratulation on your R/U, hope you split the pot.lol This should help move the needle from the red and might touch the black a little. I think you're what Terry might of had in mind when he started this post. How about a big 440 4 barrel in a 74 Duster in IHRA trim, would make a great car with durability in Brackets. What do you guys think.CR

That (440 in a Duster) is a GOOD combo for IHRA and Michael Beard probably dosent remember the car my friend Phil Baldiccino who now has an A/PS 63 Max Wedge had a long time ago when the crate motored classes first came out. I did a set of heads for it and the short block was a basic TRW (heavy pistons) and the car flew under the index (mid ten's) big time . Then he got crazy and built the Hemi 68 'Cuda for B/CM and spent a LOT of money and broke some Hemi engines on the dyno and in the car. That Hemi s##t ain't cheap ! Spend a LOT of money then got smart and returned to a Max Wedge combo. Several years lost and a ton of money lost with the hi dollar stuff. Point is....build a basic combo thats easy on parts and tires. Avaliable parts that are dirt cheap to get and just race and have fun. It sure beats working on it all the time and spending money you dont have, to buy parts you dont need, to impress other racers , just to go fast.

[Michael Beard]

>> Liked your reply Mr. Beard except for the "buy backs". I hate them. If I beat another racer in the first round, just send em home. Some tracks that I've been to even offer buybacks for the second round loser's. ???

I agree with you, which is precisely why I said to not put all your eggs in the bracket racing basket.

Recap from this weekend's racing: IHRA Pro-Am at Union County Dragway in Union, SC. Left and returned on the same day, so no hotels. Total expenses: $60 in fuel. (Currently have a Gold Card) R/U in a 5-round race, $725 in winnings. Net profit: $665. Good days work! (Not to mention dealings with 3 customers of my business, get to gather quotes from the winning racers, and the R/U will generate photos and other exposure for my sponsors both online and in Drag Review Magazine.

Now, if I were to go to Piedmont for their points race today, a 5th round loss would potentially win me $0, or $50 if the car count is a little lower than what they had earlier in the year. $50 entry (which would be covered by my Silver Card from winning the Bracket Finals last year), but they have 1st OR 2nd Rnd buybacks @ $30. Would only cost me $20 in fuel, but having to go 6 rounds to make a dime is a little crazy. I would still go normally, but I made money last night, didn't get in til 2:15am, and I promised the lil' lady that I would spend the day with her.... (so I'm gonna get off the 'puter now!)