quote:

If i am paying that kind of money for an entry, both the track AND the timing system better be right. And i dont believe that is asking ANYTHING more than what should be expected.

Agreed - No disrespect to the great promoters in our day, but I'd say 95% of the promoters are NOT timing system or track surface experts and are relying on the track personnel.

A huge local bracket race for most tracks is 100-200 cars. Today's normal Big Bucks event doesn't have less than 300 and in upwards of 600 entries in a day. Prepping a track for that many cars is WAY different than 100-200.

Also your traveling Big Bucks Crowd aka "The Big League" racers will expose any timing system issue there may be at a facility. They and their cars are way too good! If there is an issue, it hasn't been fixed prior and most likely no knowledge to fix it then. Now you are asking the promoter who most likely isn't an expert (no disrespect) to help handle it.

Wouldn't it make sense when you're taking such lofty money from customers to be able to offer the BEST racing surface and timing system as possible for your customers?

The reason I put the high $500 entry in which we all know some of these events we are paying $2,000 or more per weekend entry and the promoters and tracks are making great money.

I'd say they could make even more money by saying "We have the BEST 3rd party traction company here all weekend for the best track surface possible and we have a rep from XXX timing system here all weekend so there are NO issue and if there are we have someone who can address it immediately!"

JMO - SL

Shouldn't the tracks certify the timing system for a track rental?

Thinking a track will allow a 3rd party to work on or "fix" there system for a rental is likely not going to happen.

quote:

Originally posted by DragRaceResults:

quote:

If i am paying that kind of money for an entry, both the track AND the timing system better be right. And i dont believe that is asking ANYTHING more than what should be expected.

Agreed - No disrespect to the great promoters in our day, but I'd say 95% of the promoters are NOT timing system or track surface experts and are relying on the track personnel.

A huge local bracket race for most tracks is 100-200 cars. Today's normal Big Bucks event doesn't have less than 300 and in upwards of 600 entries in a day. Prepping a track for that many cars is WAY different than 100-200.

Also your traveling Big Bucks Crowd aka "The Big League" racers will expose any timing system issue there may be at a facility. They and their cars are way too good! If there is an issue, it hasn't been fixed prior and most likely no knowledge to fix it then. Now you are asking the promoter who most likely isn't an expert (no disrespect) to help handle it.

Wouldn't it make sense when you're taking such lofty money from customers to be able to offer the BEST racing surface and timing system as possible for your customers?

The reason I put the high $500 entry in which we all know some of these events we are paying $2,000 or more per weekend entry and the promoters and tracks are making great money.

I'd say they could make even more money by saying "We have the BEST 3rd party traction company here all weekend for the best track surface possible and we have a rep from XXX timing system here all weekend so there are NO issue and if there are we have someone who can address it immediately!"

JMO - SL

If I owned a track they would not be no SOB prepping my track but my staff…

TomR - All tracks should have their timing system updated by the supplying company. That is the ONLY way you know it's correct.

My sales pitch would be "hey we want to rent your track for $50k, how about we make it $45k and we call in Compulink for the weekend for $10k and pay it to verify everything is up to par and you will reap the reward for that all year long." We pay $5k and track pays $5k. (not sure of numbers, just example)

Bell - we've all seen how that works out on different occasions. Maybe put yourself in a promoters shoes when you rent a track and can't get rubber to stick to it. or can't get cars down the track on Sunday because they were to tired to scrape it on Saturday night.

Now, that makes more sense to me.

Great points SL!

Also, we need a "like" button....LOL

quote:

Originally posted by DragRaceResults:
TomR - All tracks should have their timing system updated by the supplying company. That is the ONLY way you know it's correct.

My sales pitch would be "hey we want to rent your track for $50k, how about we make it $45k and we call in Compulink for the weekend for $10k and pay it to verify everything is up to par and you will reap the reward for that all year long." We pay $5k and track pays $5k. (not sure of numbers, just example)

Bell - we've all seen how that works out on different occasions. Maybe put yourself in a promoters shoes when you rent a track and can't get rubber to stick to it. or can't get cars down the track on Sunday because they were to tired to scrape it on Saturday night.

I agree but mine would be on POINT…

So when is SL getting back into the promoting business….

After adding track rental $. Timing system tech on hand $. Track prep specialist people $. Add $500 to the $500 gate fee or $500 to the $2k gate fee. Do you really think the promotor is going to eat the extra $ to have these extra expenses added to his weekend. Somebody is going to pay for it and it wont be the promotor. That is how the big league part of business werks.

ep-but maybe i am wrong. I am a werker not a businessman. But if i were a businessman i would look at your added costs vs my bottom line.

Most big buck racers are too top heavy as previously stated by a bunch. This will eventually hurt overall attendance, better to make a bunch of people happy vs just a few.
Understand double entries help the total purse but provide an unfair advantage by out spending most. And honestly, the old 5 day Moroso events were great, one entry and no buy backs. Winning one of these old 9, 10 round races was a real accomplishment! But I understand something like this will never happen again. Peter's Fling's have addressed most of the unfair advantages of doubles and BB's vs single entries!!!! He also understands the more racers he makes happy, the more they will return with each year and with other racer friends, just look at the prizes his racers provide each round!

I think running a track is a tough business and getting harder every day due to economy and gas prices.
VHT and track prep is getting more expensive and at times has been hard to get at all. Oil downs cost time and money.
Poor workers out there in the heat all day is brutal and they do not make a lot of money.
Lighting, Insurance, Ambulance and safety crew, none of that is cheap.
And they have to provide an enjoyable experience for the racers and spectators if they expect them to come back.

I did not vote in this poll because I do not enjoy the big money races. One of reasons is because I did not have a living quarters trailer. Now I am getting set up so I can stay comfortably and may try them again in the future.

Any track big or small needs to take note what is important to racers and as much as possible try to cover those bases to get more racers and spectators. Actually any business needs to be able to give customers what they want if they want to flourish.

We all want most all racing to grow but it is slowly dwindling away and not how or if it could be turned around. Which I guess is kind of the reason for the poll what can they do better to grow?

To be honest, none of these has ever really crossed my mind when considering going to a race...

Racers BBQ - It's a nice gesture but the food usually sucks. Definitely has no influence on whether I attend.
Free crew members - usually just my wife, I don't mind paying.
3rd party track prep - Doesn't matter to me as long as the track is good. If the track knows what they are doing and isn't cheap or lazy about it, then I'm fine.
Timing System rep - same as above... I expect it to be accurate. If the timing system is updated and functioning properly and the track knows what they're doing, I don't care. Most of the time that timing issues have plagued a race, it's at a track that is known for timing issues.

As others have said, a payout that isn't top-heavy but also doesn't have an entry fee that is much higher than comparable races is probably my number one concern (along with the location and the tow but obviously the track can't do anything about that). I don't like the idea of "house cars"... the promoter should not have a vested interest in the outcome of the race. Do a decent job of separating the double entries from the singles, stick to the flyer, keep the race moving at a decent pace and treat me like you appreciate me coming and I will be back.
Oh, and put some water in the box.... our tires are almost 10 feet in circumference, so why is the patch of water only 3 feet?!?! If you're worried about it getting dragged to the starting line, just start the water patch back a little further!

Buy backs go into a separate race funded by the buy back
Consolation race

I think it depends on the track and the “rumors” surrounding it for the need of either 3rd party track prep or timing system rep to be there. Not all tracks prep the same

Give me an accutime system with mass traction prepping the track

It takes more than just VHT to properly prep a track. When I see the track being washed and scrubbed to get up dirt then I know the extra mile was taken

Don’t see much rosin “gold dust” being used these days either

With one round of buybacks, 50% of racers are eliminated after round 2, and half of the rest (25% of total) are gone after round three. So even if you pay round money starting with 3rd round winners, 75% of entries go home with ZERO. So just STOP IT with the "pay further back" nonsense. If you can't afford to go home with zero, you can't afford to race, period.

So Sly how do you like these odds at Rockingham this weekend in foot brake. Buy backs 1st or 2nd round, 80 car minimum and pays 8 places. 72 get NOTHING even after 1st or 2nd round buy backs. Now thats a he!! of a deal right there---But they are racing.

I know there is always discussion about buy backs, re entry, paying back further, entry fee, etc.

BUT... That is on the flyer and you know before you go! Don't go!

I think everyone A S S U M E S the track surface and timing system is perfect.

If I was promoting races again, I would have a 3rd party track prep and rep from the timing system company. If there is an issue at least I and the racers know I did EVERYTHING possible to make it as good as possible since I'm taking their money.

And for what it's worth I think it's a GREAT promotion and would draw enough extra racers to pay for it.

The point of the poll is "Would you rather have those things or a BBQ"?

For what it's worth Timing System Rep on Site has more votes than the other 3 combined.

quote:

Originally posted by DragRaceResults:
I know there is always discussion about buy backs, re entry, paying back further, entry fee, etc.

BUT... That is on the flyer and you know before you go! Don't go!

I think everyone A S S U M E S the track surface and timing system is perfect.

If I was promoting races again, I would have a 3rd party track prep and rep from the timing system company. If there is an issue at least I and the racers know I did EVERYTHING possible to make it as good as possible since I'm taking their money.

And for what it's worth I think it's a GREAT promotion and would draw enough extra racers to pay for it.

The point of the poll is "Would you rather have those things or a BBQ"?

For what it's worth Timing System Rep on Site has more votes than the other 3 combined.

I agree with most of that with a few added statements. We all ASSUME the track has a fire truck and Ambulance safety crew and now days that is not always the case.

What is on the Flyer. That is kind of one of my pet peeves. I honestly do not care if they have Buy Backs etc. But I do want them to do what they said they were going to do on the flyer.
One track here (No longer in business) would say they pay out $5,000 and No BuyBacks. Fine then after first round they say BuyBack window is open? WTF? Then after race they do not pay out what they advertised. That is a problem for me. Do what you said you were going to do if you want me to keep coming back.

quote:

Originally posted by Curly1:

quote:

Originally posted by WHOMPWHOMP:
None of the above…for me way better round money…stop all this top heavy shyt

This is a big one for me. I know they say they do splits but I want to know what the purse is before the race and want them to stick to it for most part. I do not do the top heavy purses.

I’d vote for that and it would influence me attending these . The other stuff….for that entry fee they better be included

Wow some great discussion here with a bunch of good info . and having Scott give his opinion is really nice. He has a lot more info about big Bracket racing. Last big buck race I was out Was one of Chris forces Southwest showdowns. Doesn’t really count because it’s in my town. I went out of town to a spring fling in Vegas back in 2014. Man that race was run so dang good. Back then Peter and Kyle were like two peas in a pod. Had the best time , They created memories for lifetime.