OWM 50 Lap Race

[scottgarrity07]

I'm not gonna arggue the entry fee, because that is what it is. Ever heard the phrase you have to spend money to make money? Well I'm sure every guy who does show up to an entry fee race and pays $50-$100 to have a shot at making $1500 to win is all a calculated risk for them. I wasn't pointing out you specifically, because there were a few others who have chimed in on the Bronson thread. But my whole stance on it, is of Matt is going to bitch and moan about something that he doesn't even have a stake or dime wrapped up in as far as buying fuel and tires goes, then how about he get out there and push for more sponsorship for the tracks? It's not hurting your pockets either way, so if he's gonna gripe, then get out there, and put advertising packages together and get sponsorships for the tracks, or just sit in the bleachers and enjoy the racing.

As far as the tires go, that was merely thrown in because I can honestly say that is a bigger problem and cost for the racers than mandatory fuel and tire purchases.

Good post. I pretty much agree with all your points. However, don't you agree that "No entry fee, $1400 to win, no tire and fuel requirements" would likely draw more cars than "$100 entry fee, $1500 to win, mandatory 4 tire and 10 gallon fuel purchase"? Look it at this way. If the former draws just 5 more cars there's a better show for the fans, the track gets ALL of extra pit pass, hot dog and coke money from those 5 teams as opposed to the percentage piece of the pie from tires and fuel (that almost all of the teams are going to buy anyway). Like I said in a previous post, the PERCEPTION of what these requirements say about the track management and how you are treated as a racer seem less inviting.

All these things being said, I ALWAYS buy my tires from the track that I feel treats me well and respects me as a racer the most. Take care of those who take care of you. If my Crate motor needed racing fuel, I would (and used to) by that from my favorite track too.

[JC26]

Good post. I pretty much agree with all your points. However, don't you agree that "No entry fee, $1400 to win, no tire and fuel requirements" would likely draw more cars than "$100 entry fee, $1500 to win, mandatory 4 tire and 10 gallon fuel purchase"? Look it at this way. If the former draws just 5 more cars there's a better show for the fans, the track gets ALL of extra pit pass, hot dog and coke money from those 5 teams as opposed to the percentage piece of the pie from tires and fuel (that almost all of the teams are going to buy anyway). Like I said in a previous post, the PERCEPTION of what these requirements say about the track management and how you are treated as a racer seem less inviting.

All these things being said, I ALWAYS buy my tires from the track that I feel treats me well and respects me as a racer the most. Take care of those who take care of you. If my Crate motor needed racing fuel, I would (and used to) by that from my favorite track too.

If it was an every week thing then I would definitely say that it needs to be addressed. However, for 4 or 5 races a year, I can't say it's anything worth ruffling feathers over. A prime example of that would be this years Eddie Brann Memorial. $510 worth of tires and $100 worth of fuel were a minimum and he had I think 39 cars come out and attempt to make that race.

[scottgarrity07]

If it was an every week thing then I would definitely say that it needs to be addressed. However, for 4 or 5 races a year, I can't say it's anything worth ruffling feathers over. A prime example of that would be this years Eddie Brann Memorial. $510 worth of tires and $100 worth of fuel were a minimum and he had I think 39 cars come out and attempt to make that race.

I see your point with Showtime, he has no problem drawing OWM's. But for a place like Bronson that has a reputation for small car counts and cut purses as a result, it would definitely help to consider the "Critter" type of no-strings approach.

[MiniRacer26]

Any car that's offered.

You sure make a lot of noise for someone who doesn't even have a dog in the fight!

[Matt Albee]

Every person who loves racing has a dog in this fight.

[dave41]

slow

you really don't know when to shutup and let it go do you.

[Matt Albee]

you really don't know when to shutup and let it go do you.

Hey! I don't see any reason at all for that attitude. Mini Racer has every right to comment on this thread.

[MOG]

That's funny right there.

[JC26]

Every person who loves racing has a dog in this fight.

And that's what you fail to realize with your "customer is always right" mentality, is that you really don't have a dog in the fight. What some racers shell out for fuel and tires for one weekend, you spend on sitting in the bleachers for 2 seasons. So if its not effecting your pocket then you have no argument. The harsh reality of it is that most of the money in the purse comes from the $30 pit fee that the drivers and crew pay to get in. So if the racers keep coming on their own, then there will always be a revolving door of money to support it that doesn't involve the fans who spend $12, and then piss and moan about things that don't even effect their experience at the race track. (And please spare yourself from using Bronson as an example because they aren't getting any mods even when there isn't a mandatory purchase.)
But again, if you're so concerned with it, put together some advertising packages and pass them out to local businesses and see of you can get them to sponsor the tracks. Put up or shut up...

[Matt Albee]

And that's what you fail to realize with your "customer is always right" mentality, is that you really don't have a dog in the fight. What some racers shell out for fuel and tires for one weekend, you spend on sitting in the bleachers for 2 seasons. So if its not effecting your pocket then you have no argument. The harsh reality of it is that most of the money in the purse comes from the $30 pit fee that the drivers and crew pay to get in. So if the racers keep coming on their own, then there will always be a revolving door of money to support it that doesn't involve the fans who spend $12, and then piss and moan about things that don't even effect their experience at the race track. (And please spare yourself from using Bronson as an example because they aren't getting any mods even when there isn't a mandatory purchase.)
But again, if you're so concerned with it, put together some advertising packages and pass them out to local businesses and see of you can get them to sponsor the tracks. Put up or shut up...

Okay, confess, you're actually a track promoter aren't you. The " We don't need fans, we'll just make the purse off of the back gate ( injector ) idea gives it away.
Here we fans always thought our ticket purchases and concession purchases helped out. Now we find out that the OWMs at Showtime have their own revolving door of money and don't need the fans, at least not the fans who think the show could be better.
Just promise the world that you will never, never, never work at any job at a race track that involves marketing. The track couldn't survive your unique brand of thinking.

[JC26]

Okay, confess, you're actually a track promoter aren't you. The " We don't need fans, we'll just make the purse off of the back gate ( injector ) idea gives it away.
Here we fans always thought our ticket purchases and concession purchases helped out. Now we find out that the OWMs at Showtime have their own revolving door of money and don't need the fans, at least not the fans who think the show could be better.
Just promise the world that you will never, never, never work at any job at a race track that involves marketing. The track couldn't survive your unique brand of thinking.

I'm all for having fans. But it's the armchair quarterback fans like yourself that want to do absolutely everything to complain and absolutely nothing to make it better. But again, the harsh reality is, 100 cars in the pits with an average of 4 people per car at $30 per head. $12,000...400 people in the bleachers at $12 a head $4800....Now please, tell me which side is more lucrative. The side that buys tires, fuel and keeps coming back to be the show, or the side that incessantly bitches about what the other side of the fence has to do?

You keep saying the competition could be better, but tire purchases and fuel have Jack shit to do with that. The same 10 guys who are racing and beating and banging for the win are the same guys who buy 4 tires each week regardless of what the track says. So what if you get 3 more cars to fill the field and ride around in the back. Regardless of what the track says the guys who are going to be putting on the show and racing up front already have 4 tires.

[MiniRacer26]

Every person who loves racing has a dog in this fight.

You are full of wild opinions and haven't spent a DIME on anything to do with an actual race car. You haven't got a clue as to what it takes to make it to the track each week, and you re affirm this with every ignorant idea/post that you make.

[MiniRacer26]

Okay, confess, you're actually a track promoter aren't you. The " We don't need fans, we'll just make the purse off of the back gate ( injector ) idea gives it away.
Here we fans always thought our ticket purchases and concession purchases helped out. Now we find out that the OWMs at Showtime have their own revolving door of money and don't need the fans, at least not the fans who think the show could be better.
Just promise the world that you will never, never, never work at any job at a race track that involves marketing. The track couldn't survive your unique brand of thinking.

Matt, the pit gate ALWAYS makes more than the stands. $30 per head is a hell of a lot better than $10-13 per person. I usually bring 5-6 people with me per night in the pits....that's $180. Your math skills are just as bad as your ideas on how to run a race track. You should really stick to your iRacing game and leave the real racing to the racers.

[Benny The Mule]

I like the comparison to front and back gate pricing. Now, how do we get it back like it used to be. With 100 quality cars in the pits to put on a show..........the stands should be full, balancing those numbers out. That is a win for everyone.

It's strange how cost has become such an issue. When i stopped racing parts were getting more expensive but we wanted aftermarket shocks and other components. There was no reason to complain about tire and fuel cost. now it is an issue to many folks.

I never asked prior to a race what it cost. i just called the track to see if they were racing.

[jacko241]

Benny, I do think cost has a lot to do with car counts. When I prepared my first car for Putnam County Speedway back in 1980, I used leftover Gulf Crown tires from Dad's gas station, the seat was out of a Chevelle, and I made my own air cleaner housing. Now, to compete, you have to buy super expensive off the shelf stuff. Like it or not, this is hobby racing, and when expenses get too high you drop the hobby. I know it affects how and when I race. Having said that, I am on the track's side when it comes to tires and fuel. I cannot imagine how hard it must be to turn a profit owning a small racetrack.