pay outs

[Rick Williamson]

Are any of the tracks that you race at cutting the payouts? And or cutting the prize money for the end of the year points champ in your class?

[Edm]

I dont really care about payouts.

I just dont like the fact the SSS was cut and I can't race my car locally because of the BS rules in place.

[Edm]

Honestly, I really dont see how anyone in this economy can race for points. But then again its mostly an attendance award anyways.

[Rick Williamson]

Maybe I should have said more. I think when this starts happening it shows the sorry sharp of that track. And I understand even if you win every race in a year at your local track. You will not break even. As far as points champs or at least in say the top 5 it's extra money in your pocket. And you didn't even have to load your car up and buy gas or a slab or tires. It does help even if it's just a little. I'm looking for alot less cars this year. Because of the way things are going. Why aren't you racing your Sportsmen at your local track this year? That series going around the state and the cost of it are just unthinkable this year. In these hard times.

[georgep]

Tracks, Fans and owners are hurting period.
If the track wants to SAVE points money Give a pit slab to each class winner.
Back in the day we ran for $.01 a point and goodies, tires, oil, spark plugs. This might be coming back.
My crystal ball says men who go in circles in 2009 will get POOR and DIZZY.

[SeminoleWind]

I've written this before and I still think this is what I would do if I were a track owner. No payouts for any classes other than the top division. You have to pay 1 division (and fairly well) so you can pass some part of your program as "professional". The rest of the divisions would race for fuel and tire credits and trophies, plus don't charge any entry or pit admission fee to the driver. The main reason race cars sit on jackstands during race season is it's too costly to come up with the money to race weekly, the car is already paid for.

[andre]

The main reason race cars sit on jackstands during race season is it's too costly to come up with the money to race weekly, the car is already paid for.

Hmmmmm!!!!!Is it just me or this phrase sounds familiar

André

[Carol Andrews]

Rick, which tracks are you talking about.

I agree about the series, they have hurt the tracks in the past when they first started because everybody thought they could make a lot of money traveling. If you figure out what it cost to get to the other tracks for one night and then if you had to spend the night because of traveling so far, it actually cost you a lot more. If the drivers would support their local tracks we wouldn't have so many of them closing. It takes a lot to make a track successful. I have worked at several tracks that have closed, its up to the drivers, crews, fans and sponsors, to make them succeed.

[Edm]

Why aren't you racing your Sportsmen at your local track this year? That series going around the state and the cost of it are just unthinkable this year. In these hard times.

I can certainly understand the cost of the series but it doesn't help any when Fascar makes the rules so the SS cars are not legal unless some serious and expensive modifications are made. Some that may make the cars unsafe. Its very unfortunate but I have done enough bitchin and moanin about it (see Complainers Corner). Maybe we will cross paths at A-dale, Citrus or CCMP this season.

[calres22]

I understand even if you win every race in a year at your local track. You will not break even. As far as points champs or at least in say the top 5 it's extra money in your pocket.

I hate to say this, but that is not true. Even with losing a motor this year, I actually came out in the positive. Luckily the track i run at had decided to go to hard tires and that saved the car owner (me) a lot of money. And the track (kilkare speedway, xenia oh.) just announced that they are lowering back gate prices and raising the purses. The race director and track owners have worked very hard with local and national companies to come up with money for the racers. I have said this before, but take a snapshot of the pits one time. How many street stocks are rolling in with toterhomes and stacker trailers? Almost all the late models and modifieds are. Quite a few of the lower classes are as well. And they are the ones complaining about money. You dont see that kind of thing up here in Ohio.

[Rick Williamson]

Rick, which tracks are you talking about.

I agree about the series, they have hurt the tracks in the past when they first started because everybody thought they could make a lot of money traveling. If you figure out what it cost to get to the other tracks for one night and then if you had to spend the night because of traveling so far, it actually cost you a lot more. If the drivers would support their local tracks we wouldn't have so many of them closing. It takes a lot to make a track successful. I have worked at several tracks that have closed, its up to the drivers, crews, fans and sponsors, to make them succeed.

Carol, At this point I have just started hearing a few rumors. So until I know they are fact I will not say which tracks. And these rumors could just be test balloons to get the drivers reactions. Oh and Carol you need to add track owners to your list of people that it's up to, to make a track succeed.

[Ray C]

Rick,

I heard this same rumor from your Brother Saturday night in the Pits at A- Dale. He told me he had heard that A-Dale had drop the Sportsman Win payoff $100.

We had only 9 cars on our opening night but the payout was paid at full. The winner got $400 I finished second and recieved $300. I spoke with track promoter Rex Guy and he told me that they will not drop the payout and he is hopeful that we will have 14-20 Sportsman running.

I know the A-Dale rules are very close to the old SSS rules, we are running the same car we built to those rules. I hope some of the guys who ran with us in the SSS will make it over to A-Dale this year.

We did not race in the SSS to make some easy cash. We ran in it because it was fun to run other tracks and travel. It was way more expensive than running the local shows. Tow money, gears, springs, etc. If the tracks can get the rules close and once a month took turns running a SSS style event than I think the cars will show up.

[Rick Williamson]

Glad to hear that about Auburndale. I don't know of anyone who remembers the SSS as an easy money maker including Aaron. My point in starting this string was NOT about how all the drivers profits would be down if tracks like Auburndale were to pay less for their feature races. But I believe that it will hurt the tracks thinking about doing it. It has been talked about on here any number of times in the past. How places like DeSoto will have a race up coming with BIG prize money. But in the small print say (if more then whatever number of cars they set shows up). In the past that kind of rule DIDN'T bring more cars from the outside. Nor will it in the future as I see it. I'm glad to hear they will keep pay outs the same as last year. And that he will not add the statement (if more then ----------- cars show up). Thanks Rex. I hope other tracks see this and don't start thinking about adding the car count rule. It will not help to car counts to grow.

[georgep]

Glad to hear that about Auburndale. I don't know of anyone who remembers the SSS as an easy money maker including Aaron. My point in starting this string was NOT about how all the drivers profits would be down if tracks like Auburndale were to pay less for their feature races. But I believe that it will hurt the tracks thinking about doing it. It has been talked about on here any number of times in the past. How places like DeSoto will have a race up coming with BIG prize money. But in the small print say (if more then whatever number of cars they set shows up). In the past that kind of rule DIDN'T bring more cars from the outside. Nor will it in the future as I see it. I'm glad to hear they will keep pay outs the same as last year. And that he will not add the statement (if more then ----------- cars show up). Thanks Rex. I hope other tracks see this and don't start thinking about adding the car count rule. It will not help to car counts to grow.

This is common in SC area. To get a full puese the track says what the min. car count is. Less than that and the purse is cut. Not a good system.
That system ONLY works if you have a base number say 20 and you pay MORE if there are more than 20 and less if there are less than 20.
I don't have a dog in this hunt just passing on some info.

[Edm]

If the tracks can get the rules close and once a month took turns running a SSS style event than I think the cars will show up.

Thats a mighty big IF..........

Maybe we should all get together and have a 2 hour pointless meeting all the way in North Daytona for the rule book and not change a thing.

Sorry, still a little bitter over this one.