Regional series failure

Am I missing something in my math?

Last Year:

Divisional points series payouts:

$8500 to win
$4000 R/U
$2500 3rd

Total = $15,000

$15,000 x 2 classes x 7 divisions = $210,000 (Thank you very much to the Lucas Family)

This year... Regionals...

$10,000 to win
$5,000 R/U
$3,000 3rd
$2,000 4th
$1,000 5th

Total = $21,000

$21,000 x 2 classes x 4 Regions = $168,000 (Still thank you to the Lucas family...)

$42,000 pay cut for us.

So, to whoever thought up this Regional deal, epic fail. Sorry, just my honest opinion.

Flash

 

lets see they saved money had 13 fewer races that didnt have a full field and if gold silver and bronze cards are given to the top five only then 15 cars that got into national events for free this year will have to pay next year. I am sure the powers to be dont see it the same way you do.

 

Will,

That means our Lucas oil purse money is going to the tracks like an entry fee?

It's discouraging being a part of the Alcohol classes right now.

Our track here in Utah is going back to NHRA next year. They're going to have a divisional at the end of Sept. They are NOT going to have alcohol cars.

I would love to convince them that they should. However, since NHRA has given them the option to choose, the choice is of course to not incure the added expense.

This Regional series is a slippery slope toward the elimination of this class completely.

Alcohol racer attendance at Regionals this year vs. Divisionals last year is down 25%. I expect a similar trend next season.

It's sad seeing this happen to a class I've been involved in for over half my life.

I would love to help steer this ship in a new prosperous direction. One of growth and added exposure.

Flash

 

Will,

Put me down for #3. Believing the status quo will be just fine is like voting for Obama next month. We know something has to change, you think my ideas are a bit radical, but I've heard from alot of people spending their money in the sport, who favor those changes.
-More races an Alcohol car can compete at nationwide.
-Larger purses.
-Larger fields.
-A place for "new blood" to race in NHRA where there isn't a breakout.

(Side Note: Remember that "new blood" often buys their parts from "old blood" to get started. "Old blood" can then buy new parts and designs thus helping the manufacturers who are struggling right now as well.)

Let's modify the 'culture.' Give the tracks a reasonable/promotable class that isn't so restrictive. If tomorrow 50 people decide to race TAFC, where are they going to get superchargers? TAD/TAFC is a fantastic class, but it has a place, and the Division level is no longer it's place. The Division level needs something different.

Why can't we get someone at NHRA? Can we collectively employ someone that gets us, the Alcohol racers, support and recognition from the inside? Do I have to submit my resume?

I've got some serious lack of wind in my sails with this Regional direction. I understand you're doing what you can while still tuning, building websites, and being pregnant all season... (come on that's funny...) I just wonder what a full time employee with access to contacts at Lucas, ESPN, the member tracks, etc. could accomplish?

Flash

 

Regional races

Will, I am just a low buck two bit TAFC guy. I truly realize my position in the great scheme of things. But there are two issues that have and will affect my racing schedule. Driving costs- I can't justify to myself or my checkbook driving to regional races in California or Nevada for 8 car fields. The idea of competing with 12 or 15 other TAFCs for an 8 car field isn't working for me. My idea and I am sure a lot of other guys is that if you are racing on sunday you have a chance. We have all seen the lower half of the field cars win races occasionally. Just get me qualified and I have a chance. The other issue is the gold/silver/bronze cards. With the regional format I now get to pay full boat for national event entries. Previously I always ended the year with a bronze card, it saved me a few bucks on entry fees at the national events. So now the regional format costs me more money in entry fees and driving to distant regional events that I have little chance of qualifying for. Two strikes- just waiting on the last pitch to see if I am still in play or sitting down spectating. Dave Germain

 

Concerns from the West Coast

It is all about # of events available, travel time and travel costs. No reasonably close races to go to equals no cars being owned.
From here in the west, we need to get the Alcohol cars back to the National events at Phoenix and at Sonoma. For the same travel those would then both be double headers with the regional events. That would also offer the west folks a total of 7 National events instead of 5. Then the National series needs to return to best 5 of 7 Nationals and the Regional series stay at best 5 of 7 Regionals. This would help level the field out here vs the east coast. It would also help with low Regional car counts as more "National" players would be at the local events. Lets face it the local fans want to see full fields and the big names as well as the local heroes.
In the North West we have at least 3 tracks that get crowds and book big events in as the show. How about a Regional Alcohol event at what is essentially a bracket race. We would be the show cars. Really we would only need the DD and one tech guy for inspection, weight and fuel checks. Minimal NHRA fees...insurance....$25000 nut for the track? At $12.50 per ticket only 2000 fans over a 2 day event and they would be paying the show cars anyway. Add in off sales........it could be profitable for the tracks that have or want spectators.
In the current model we seem to be oil and water with the sportsman cars. Perhaps separating us would not be a bad thing. Just a thought.
Jeff J

 

As far as the pay cut, the regional purses all went from $16,000 to $18,000. As for a total purse, I'd be willing to bet that tracks paid out more in TA checks this year than they did for the same classes in 2011 at their divisional race.

Some numbers I'd point out to you as far as attendance..

I counted 39 divisionals in 2011 where Alcohol was contested.. There were full fields on Saturday/Sunday at 15 of those 39 races.. That is roughly 38.5% of the races contested had 16(8 & 8) cars racing in E1.

I count 24 Regionals on the schedule. Fields have been short at only 8 of the 23 contested so far. 65% have had 8 & 8 running come E1... And if I have to guess Vegas will most likely have a full field in both classes, so call it 66% post-Vegas 2.

15 x $16,000 < 15 x $18,000.

So I ask you, are more races and classes really the answer? When we still had all the races, we still only filled the field 15 times.

The classes essentially got a 12.5% RAISE when the regional format kicked in just by qualifying. Not to mention the payout increase at the regional championship level. And where is the magic source of money going to come from? Are there some private benefactors I'm not aware of looking to redistribute their wealth?

Believe it or not, I'm in agreement with Will as far as what we need to be promoting. We need to show these tracks that Top Alcohol cars are a worthwhile investment to have at their facility. That we will work with them(as an organization and a class) and NHRA to promote their event and do our best to help them get asses in the seats. These are the things that also help the individual look better to a potential sponsor. The more popular the events means larger fan base and marketable audience to a non-racing related business. If tracks can build their crowds and make more money, you may actually see an increase in payouts if you can prove yourself a major part of their popularity and prosperity.

The tracks and the spectators are NHRA's customers, not the racers.. Like it or not, racers are more like agents/employees/tenants of NHRA, and therefore the tracks and spectators as well. Without NHRA, Tracks or Spectators, you're not going to have a place to race. You all got into this game because it was fun, extremely challenging and exciting. While you're trying to constantly improve your own performance and setting/shattering goals, you have to remember you're actually just a part of someone's larger entertainment package they're selling to the public. And like any employee, you have to prove your worth in order to maintain or advance your position in the organization..

 

Jeff, those are some really great ideas. The only thing I'd mention as a thought is that aren't we already supposedly the show cars at a bracket race (divisional/regional)? TAFC and TAD are typically the only heads up/non-index classes at a points race.

 

Emails

Justin, Dave, what are your emails?

Justin, I don't know you personally. Do you have a car?

I know Dave spends his money on racing. Attending events, buying parts, etc.

The #s are simple. Last year approximately 550 divisionals were attended by alky cars that ran enough races to keep their points. (3 Divisionals) Its what you can access on the NHRAs points totals for 2011.

This year, 412 assuming 12ish in each class at vegas. 412/550 is about a %25 decrease in event attendance.

 

Btw Will,

I like that the PSA is trying to gain more exposure for it's members. I just think the money and the race that you're trying to get the spectators to come see could be tweeked for the better.

Dave, more opportunities to race your car. Higher payouts. Bigger fields at all the events. Expanded TV exposure....

I just don't see the downside.

Anyone else like the sound of those things, send me an email and I'll send u the proposal.

Flash

 

But there were 40% less races, so entries per race were up

 

Bryan,

By that logic we should only have one race. Everyone will have to show up for it. We'll have 50 cars for each class. And let's only have it be a 2 car field. $50,000 to win $10,000 R/U....

Saves travel costs, lowers the tracks costs of having us at all the races, everyone wins!

Obviously I'm being sarcastic...

Send me an email.

flash568@gmail.com

 

Will,

Thanks for giving me your honest feedback. I understand it's not the ideal situation. But having run my car on a steamer mechanics budget, I looked for a way for the non-millionaires to still race with NO BREAKOUT at ALL the divisional events. It's still make your equipment run at it's peak and rewards those who think outside the box and work hard on their setup.

I don't know how to post the entirety of the class and the conjoined Alcohol classes elevation to the next level. I'd work my butt off to make both of these classes successful. If that means parking my stuff and working for/with NHRA I will. It means that much to me to see the alcohol classes not just carry on, but grow and thrive.

I'm with Dave on his point of liking to race rather than qualify. With 5 rounds, there's alot of racing without the Top Alcohol price per run issue.

Finally one last point. Imagine the possibilities in these 64 different combos! A fuel funny car, Turbo dragsters, supercharged altereds, A fuel Pro Mod.... This is something the PSA could really promote.

Flash

 

There already is a a class, comp eleminator AA/AM or AA/A , AA/AT, A/PM, AA/PM and many other classes with 32 cars and 5 rounds of elimination. Why would you want to turn Alcohol into comp eliminator. I don't see many flocking to that class.