Incentives for racecars to return

[Boneman]

Some of our local tracks have seen significant decreases in the car count compared to 2007. My local tracks are down around 30%, and it had not improved all season. Since there were more cars running within just the last year or two, it is safe to assume that many of the idle cars are still reasonably complete and could be returned to the track without major rebuild or expense.

So how do you get these cars off the jack stands and back in the pits? Regardless of whatever reason parked these cars, here are a few suggestions to get them back racing, and hopefully the brilliant and opinionated readers of KARNAC can add a few more constructive ideas.

After all, it is very tough to win new fans to a sub-standard show.

#1 Give two weeks of free pit passes to cars that have not run in 2008.
Each car that returns to action for the first time all year gets 2 or 3 pit passes, and do this for two weeks. This would have to apply to brand new cars too. It would be worth around $150, and would be like throwing out a welcome mat for new and returning drivers.

The regular drivers may complain, but all you have to do is ask them if they would rather race against 10 cars, or against 5. It certainly beats hearing. “we are dropping you class for lack of support”.

#2 “New Winners Night”
Schedule a night that has the regular feature races, but instead of heats, run a “new winners race” for all the cars that have not won yet in 2008. It would interest some drivers who have not had the chance to sit in victory circle and hold the flag.

I suspect that “New Winners Night” also holds more appeal to the fans than “non-winners night”. That sounds like a race for losers.

#3 A phone call from track management that invites them back.
This personal touch could be especially effective if there are incentives to tell them about. It may also help because most racers feel they are invisible to track management and have been taken for granted.

The down-side for management is that it may turn into an un-productive b*itching session. If so, the track probably doesn’t need that type of driver back anyhow.

Remember the old saying: “every business is a people business”.

#4 Tire amnesty or assistanceThis will vary from track to track depending on their tire situation, but the point is to overcome a barrier that keeps some racers home: a set of fresh tires. I am not suggesting free rubber, just some cooperation from the track like collecting used tires to give away for free, or working with a racer to allow use of other track tires for a week or two. Do anything to get over the common complaint of “I can’t afford a $500 set”.

I know that many tracks have always done this…to a point. It would be an excellent thing to bring up in the phone call described in item #3.

Next?

[andre]

The next natural step to bring them back and keep them racing would be to look at ''how much does it cost to play?''

Cut laps.
Rock hard tires.
Regular gas rule, cheaper.
Rock hard tires.
Less practices time and availability, save on fuel & tires.
Rock hard tires.
Alternate classes to bi-weekly program.
Rock hard tires.
Uniform rules throughout whole state race tracks(Yeah! Right!!!!).
Rock Hard Tires.
Look at what's done on dirt VS car count.
Did I mention Rock Hard Tires

André

[Edm]

1. Most important. Level the playing field. Make it where the low budget racers are able to compete with these high dollar teams, even if you have to slow the cars down that win week in and week out. I hate to say this but heres and example. Donnie Williams, he spanks everyone every week at Nss in the sportsman class. No body wants to race because they cannot beat him or even compete with him. Its sad to say, hes a great guy but the playing field needs to be leveled. I personally dont want to compete for 2nd place. It will make better races for the spectators and the other drivers. Trust me, this will work.

2. Be nice to the drivers and crew members, make them want to return. A good example here would be Auburndale. I know they mad a big mistake a couple of months ago but everyone from the girl at pit road entrance, snack stand (good food), tire guy, gas guy, and the pit officials were not only very respectful but very nice.

3. Get better food, Osw, your hamburgers are ok but your hot dogs suck. Get a better brand and charge more if you have too.

4. Tech the cars, it will piss of those that are not legal but it will help level the field.

5. Dont race the same class week after week, drivers and crew members get worn out and broke. We have enough classes, give each class off 1 or 2 weekends every month.

6. Scheduling conflicts with other tracks. I know this is very difficult but say if Citrus is having a large race then schedule that class off at the surrounding tracks and vise versa. This will help with their car counts and hopefully the other tracks with theirs when they have big races.

7. This is another tough one because it means the tracks would have to work together but make the rules similar for each class with the other tracks.

8. Thank the drivers like Donnie Louis used to do.

[fred23]

I agree with parts of the above posts....EDM why should Donnie have to be penalized for being fast? (By the way he got beat by Timmy Todd last night). His car is legal to the letter of the rule book. Plus, I guarentee you he has the oldest tires on the track every night. He gets most of his tires out of the throw away pile behind the tire shed. Plus he usually starts in the back. People just need to make their cars better. Donnie and CHad had a great side by side race last week. I am sure if Chad had their car out more it would be better. We finally got my dads new car out last night, so maybe with a little work we can get back up there and run with Donnie.
On a more positive note...last night after teching our sportsman car after the race, the new tech man(?) actually shook the racers hands and thanked them. I went back to him later and told him Thanks.
Butch said last night that they are going to have some meetings with the drivers of the different classes to get their input. Hopefully they will listen. Butch also said "he can't pay us more money" until the car count gets better. He also said that we are paying antiquated purses and asking modern pit prices...hopefully that can get rectified. I kiddingly asked why but you know how that went......my suggestion is to put the onus on the drivers. Have pay increments correlated to car count and post them for all to see. 4-10 cars pay regular purse; 11-15 pay 10% more thru the field; 16-20 pay 20% more thru the field; and for 21 cars and up pay 50% more thru the field. I would even throw the strictly stocks a bone for having 20 or more cars and pay the top 5 a little something. I had done the math and presented this to Terry Roberts last year.
I have to congratulate NSS for finally getting the schedule right....having the autograph session from 6:30 to 7:15 and running ALL of the weekly features prior to the "BIG" race of the night. The crowd was their until the end. If they promoted the pre race autograph session along with the "Happy Hour" and Early Bird meals it should get the people there . I do know we were on the road before 11:00pm.
They definitely need to go to the harder compund Hoosiers. THey are already having a blister problem on the late models and SLM. I have heard a few truck guys say their tires don't last 3 weeks. That is not good news for the "Take Off" classes.

Just my 2 cents

[Jane]

Yea, Ms. Makayla will let grandpa know he got beat by Timmy Todd last night again. Then to add insult to injury, my dad's football team beat Kimber's football team by one point - Ole Miss 31 - Gators 30. Not a good night at the William's house in Fountain, Colorado.

But Donny does his homework and works hard on that car to make it go. Just wish he would bring it to Orlando every now and then and play with our guys. Come on Donny - bring it on!!!! We would love to have you one of these Friday nights.

[SeminoleWind]

Great post! Never in the history of our sport has there been a better time to cut the racers costs and get on the phone to invite idle racers back to the track. In this challenging economy, the tracks will have to work not only to attract fans, but the racers as well.
http://racedaysafety.com

[flraceguy]

minor little thought

Ahhh common sense and race business.. come now everyone.. Roflmao

[Edm]

Hey Fred,
I knew that would come up. I know Donnie does his homework and has it all together and is legal. I know I would hate it too if it was me but I am telling you, FANS and drives alike dont want to see the same winners week in and week out. Here are the stats, should be pretty close
Sportsman races this year not counting SSS 19
Races Donnie raced in not counting SSS 13
Races won 11
Finished 2nd to the 25 2
Races the 25 won 4
He raced in 5 races this year
There is a 2 man race for the win and everyone races for 3rd when these 2 are there. I know you might not see it this way but this is hurting the class. Yes penalize them for being fast TO MAKE FOR BETTER RACING. I know it would suck if it were me but I also know it would make for better racing. Some cars also dont have the budget or time to do their homework the way a couple of these cars do. No offense to either of these drivers, I have a lot of respect for both. I am just looking at it through a fans perspective as well as a fellow racer. As a fan I always enjoyed seeing someone new or an under dog win. Thank for your comments and opinions.

[fred23]

We might put someone in our car this week that will definitely give the 25 and 111 a run. Hopefully CHad will bring the 57 and they can put on a show.

[Edm]

I may come out that way since Orlando wont be racing Fri night. Maybe we can talk Phil 27 into bringing his sportsman out for real this time.

[fred23]

You know if they could get 12-15 cars every week and invert the field from the previous week it would make it harder on Donnie and TIm to g et to the front so easy. I haven't looked yet, but I bet at least 25 different cars have raced at NSS this year. If 75 % of them would show up regularly it would be some good racing.

[Edm]

Good guess, I counted 27 and 1 has moved out of state. 16 at Orlando that have not run at Nss. I didnt count the SSS cars.

It seems that Osw typically has less sportsman cars but there is usually a pretty good race for the lead. At Nss if the 111 gets by the 25 then the race is pretty much over.

The track champion last year only beat Donnie a few times and thats only because he started in front of him. I might be wrong but I dont remember Phil passing Donnie under green at all last year.

[modracer22]

I'm also looking forward to talking to Butch.Rock hard tires are great but when we got them changed on the modifieds I never heard so much crying about something in my hole life. I like the treaded tire and would gladly run on a hoosier treaded if we could get them changed. In my opinion if FASCAR can't afford a pay raise to the racers then they need to make it cheaper for the racer to come to the track. The first thing you shouldn't do is make new rules that cost the racer more money. I would be in favor of some type of weight rule to even up the different engine combos with the mods. Also maybe and I hate to penalize a guy that got is stuff together but you could add weight to a car that wins every week to even up the field and when he goes a couple of weeks without winning maybe take it off but do that to any person that wins say more then 2 in a row.
I wish I had the answer to what would help but for the most part it is payout and the fact that alot feel they can't compete. If we could get anything done to the purse I feel that the money should be put in the hole purse just not the winner getting more.
Tires lets see one set at the beginning of the year and no more then 2 a night after that or one I know this would not stop guy from buying one every night but maybe would stop some guys from buying four every week and guys saying I can't so going to stay home. I think there is alot of good ideas out there and we as racers just need to set down and get things going.

[andre]

That's the whole point: how much it cost to play.

Not enough people can afford 4 to 6 new tires every times they get the car out, to play, it's ridiculous. It's a hobby.....Let's keep it that way.

Many people can afford pit fees, gas, and regular maintenance, but 300, 400 or 500$ in tires bill every time is the biggest killer.

Cheap and racing do not go very well together, but with some work, it definitely can be made cheaper by cutting the biggest weekly expense: TIRE.

André

[calres22]

I see some good ideas on here and would like to add a couple of my own. Engine rules- throw them out. Let anyone with an engine run. Put them on rock hard tires. Without grip, the cars wont go anywhere. Thats what we are running up here in Ohio and it seems to be working seeing that we had 56 modifieds show up this last weekend for a 26 car field, 50 lap race. Was the payout higher than normal, no. Winner took home 1200, and just to start the race paid 150. Maybe track owners and promoters need to look at what is working at other tracks and follow suit.

I have said it before and i feel myself getting blue in the face, but if you lower the cost for drivers/owners then you will get a better turn out. Also if a person feels like they can win or at least be competitive then they will be more likely to come out. This can all be accomplished by rock hard tires. Dont change overnight, make the change in the off season. Drivers up here are running 2 barrel carbs on their big engines just to get them to hook up with the hard tires. Why spend more money on a big motor if you will go as fast and the car works better with a smaller motor that costs less to build and maintain.