Indy Car and Formula 1 don’t run at Sonoma.

What would do with the land, build houses like everywhere else

They'll nix the whinery and build a winery.

So besides 1 drag race and 1 nascar race, what other events does the track have to bring in revenue? The property taxes have got to be insane

Steve, and a ton of track rentals that make a boat load of money

quote:

Originally posted by Big Steve:
So besides 1 drag race and 1 nascar race, what other events does the track have to bring in revenue? The property taxes have got to be insane

Scca, Dr’s and Lawyers rent the track to run the collectables. Offshore dealers etc.
Drag racing can make money but first you have to promote. Jet cars, wheel standers etc. advertising does work. Come to think of it, I never heard or saw one advertised commercial or airtime about the Nationals. Most certainly not any division races so what would you expect. This has been in the making for at least five years. I pray this bites the raceway in the ass.
BTW. Brittany Force just set a National speed record there. Sonoma doesn’t deserve the credit.
By far the worst National event I have ever attended. There weren’t even enough porta potties!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BP758,

We have discussed this before and it always comes back to not enough racers and spectators. In my opinion there are several reasons why.

1. Our World is changing from get out and do things, hiking, racing, fishing, hunting, playing sports etc. To a virtual world where people talk about it on computers.

2. NHRA is doing everything they can to run off Racers, Spectators and Sponsors. Trying to rip them off for every penny they can, then wonder why they are not growing or even coming back in numbers they were.

3. As someone else said here there is not much ROI on investment and not much reward or Thanks for doing it.

The track has to make a profit and with Insurance, property values, Employee payroll, Sanctioning fees, racer payout and all kinds of other expenses it has to be hard to make it. Then some racers treat them terrible.

Now add on top of that State of California with all the rules, regulations, laws and general liberal BS and and it is harder there than rest of Country. We are losing tracks all over the Country but as a racer I would not even want to go to California knowing the police target racers and gas prices etc.

Unfortunately, Sonoma has been spiraling for years. It seemed to start when they canned the Divisional. People need travel long distances to race there and it just doesn't pencil out for some teams to travel for one race.

I know Nick (the dragstrip manager) was trying very hard to keep the bracket program running. He rallied and and got the car counts up, but the Track didn't seem to care. They make more money on other programs. I sponsored them for a few years, but I pulled the plug after it was clear upper management could care less.

Anyone know when the NHRA 2026 Schedule will be out?

There are enough racers. When you treat them terribly they won’t return. Class racers use the bigger bracket races to test and they enter too. Just look at the nostalgia racers. There are plenty! Nick has has it tough, not his fault as he answers to upper level mgmt . As I said before. They never advertised any divisional’s since Korbel. The only times were when Korbel sponsored and actual advertising was in play. The place was packed at a divisional.
Are there as many as before? No and I know this as we are aging out and lack of recruitment.

Somebody needs to talk Gary Heck and Korbel in to taking over the track.

Floyd, what’s in it for Gary??

What do you mean taking over the track? Buy it?

Mike,
You know he has a good sized race team and he's already involved in NHRA there are plusses than minuses Have you seen his race shop? Very professional fort a sportsman team.

And he didn’t that way by making foolish investments and of course don’t believe the track is for sale

It's not for sale. They are expanding big time and NHRA is not in there plans. I hope Mr. Smith changes his mind but I seriously doubt that. Obtw, the stands on Sunday were only 1/2 full at best. Not much $$$ to split with low ticket sales.

Big changes coming for sure however it’s kinda up to NHRA if they want to be part of it

quote:

Originally posted by Mike English:
Big changes coming for sure however it’s kinda up to NHRA if they want to be part of it

How can NHRA be a part of it when Sonoma pulled the carpet away during Covid Mike? This was part of a plan. Sportsman racing was flat out shut down. What track, centrally located and fast would do this? They’ve done nothing to support our youth or us. Creative management.

It's all about the R.O.I. and according to a very good source the track has made very little if anything for putting on a National event. I have really enjoyed racing at the Divisional and National over the last 30 years. Looks like is over but thanks for the memories.

I can understand the expense of conducting a National Event due to the purse structure of the Professional Classes. These classes are far too expensive to run, and it's getting worse. They don't draw an offsetting event spectator income. Traveling back and forth across the Country, like a Circus is a factor in those expenses, coupled with the amount of roadie employees, not to mention the ridiculous maintenance and operational expenses.

We have all known that elevated Sportsman entry fees help cover those expenses. This all gets to a point where most (not all) Sportsman Racers stop going. Unless you have a Sponsor covering those expenses (which by definition actually make you a "Professional Sportsman Racer") the average working stiff with a family is dead in the water.

Divisional LODRS Events are a better deal for Sportsman Racers, a LOT better deal.

Divisional LODRS Events should be more profitable (ROI) for the facility. Expensive gate fees and minimal purse structure, funded primarily through contingency award programs and event sponsors should be profitable for the track. In spite of this there are only 3 LODRS Events in Division 7. As a Division 7 Racer your chances of competing for a National Title are ZERO.

So my question at the end of day is where does all the money go? To NHRA, or where ???? Someone is getting the bulk of the income while someone else is footing the bills. Perhaps the Racers need a Forensic Accountant, similar to DOGE because it appears to me something is wrong.

Eventually this is a self destructive prophesy and it all comes to a screeching stop where everyone loses.

Bob

Bob,
Although I don't disagree with you on everything being expensive for little return for racers going to these events, you are incorrect on Division 7 guys having zero chance for a National Championship. Our Division has 7 LODRS Events, yes 3 of them are doubles but we still have 7. We also have 6 National Events so there are plenty of opportunities to win a National Championship.
I'm not sure why Sonoma is not making money on a National, last I talked to the people at Firebird here in Chandler they made a very good return on the National Event and I will tell you that Sonoma has a lot more spectators than Firebird, especially weekend campers.

quote:

Originally posted by 774 SUPER ST:
Bob,
Although I don't disagree with you on everything being expensive for little return for racers going to these events, you are incorrect on Division 7 guys having zero chance for a National Championship. Our Division has 7 LODRS Events, yes 3 of them are doubles but we still have 7. We also have 6 National Events so there are plenty of opportunities to win a National Championship.
I'm not sure why Sonoma is not making money on a National, last I talked to the people at Firebird here in Chandler they made a very good return on the National Event and I will tell you that Sonoma has a lot more spectators than Firebird, especially weekend campers.

Exactly right 774. They made bank on camping and starting line spots. I don’t know who is responsible for advertising or booking in shows while the event is down but they should be fired! What happened to wheelstanding cars and Jet cars?? If Sonoma or NHRA thinks the fuel cars can carry it without them , they are crazy!