Money Racing......

[Darin Martinez-Stahl]

Ok folks I am putting this out for a good reason. To find out what a driver really wants( I Hope). I am working on some new things for next season. One of them is a Pro race. Given a strict set of very enforced rules. What would you pay to enter a race that payed say $800.00 or $1000.00 to win, and, also how far back would one like to be paid.
Given that often times Dirt track racers will show up in droves to compete for $500.00 purses, money racing seems to scare away sprint racers( west coast), most people seem to pre-judge who will be there and decide not to show up. Also added to that how far would one travel 150 miles or more? Would you run a Spec'd out tire that you normaly do not compete on?

I have Viewed far to many of the problems of the past of Chest thumping of events, and promises of hundreds or thousands of spectators, or the thousands that drive by on the nearby Freeway will see it and stop.

I will say this the Program will be run by a great staff, and those of you that have competed at the Prairie City facility can attest to the efficiency of the program, so that would not and should not be a concern. Spectators, well Maybe a few Hundred but not a guaranty.

Please send all replies to my email box at
profeedback@hotmail.com.

If not I will catch them here.

[Rob Hogenmiller]

Well since no one has responded, I would say depends on how far I have to travel.

Personally, My feelings are $100 for money races that pay $1,000 and over is the magic #. Any more I'm discouraged and any less is not enough to feed the pot for a good money race.

My preference would also be in favor of Open Tire rule, other than what you qualify on is what you race with.

[Roger Ruthhart]

I've discussed this with quite a few karters. The Rock Island Grand Prix pays $500 to win (most classes - more in some) and we pay back 9 places as long as there are at least 20 in a field. Based on what I've been told, the amount to win AND the number of places both are a factor. Few races, however, pay 9 places like we do. But that helps address the issue of "why should I go 'cause there's at least 3 guys better than me." There are many who come to our race who have told me they don't care about the money; just as many who said they come only because of the money. That's what I know, for whatever help it is.

It would be a lot easier to do a race if I didn't have to budget for $25,000 in prize money, but then I'm not sure I'd have 300+ entries either.

[Steven Tippett]

For me anyway, it isn't the purse of the race that draws me to it, mainly because I'm never a threat to cash in A cash purse is nice, I've only run one series that has had a pay out, the SKUSA liberty. What draws me to a race is the competition and if the race is well run and fair. For me anyway finishing 11th at a national event in a field of 20 plus is more satisifying than finishing in the top 3 with only 7 or 8 people racing. Around here we have an old saying, "You only get better by racing people better than you." Besides, we don't do this for the money, we do it for the love and the enjoyment of the sport. But hey, I'm not going to turn down that cheque at the end of the day either It is nice the have, my 2 cents

[ October 05, 2001: Message edited by: Steven Tippett ]

[Jean Stafford]

O.K. Darin. I don't think it's the money that draws Karters to a race. If it were WKA and IFK wouldn't draw enough to start a fight, let alone a race.

What draws competition, is honest racing, at a well laid out facility, good officiating, and fair rules. These are the reasons WKA and IKF are successful.

In the mid 70's APPCO and My Shop SMC,put on a Pro Race with a guarenteed $1,000 purse. There were two classes, 100cc Stock, and Open 100cc, nothing else allowed. If I remember right, we charged 25.00 entry, and drew enough to nearly cover the purses. For those of us that are slow in math, this means less than 40 entries. But, there were the cream of the crop there from east of the Mississippi, and comments were made that if there were another such race we could expect a much greater turnout.

Our guarantee was $500 to the winner of each of the two classes, and there were some of the best races ever run there. Rules were enfoced, technical inspection was thorough and quickly gotten out of the way after the race.

If I remember right, we only paid back three places with the third place gettin back his entry fee.

After this race there were Professional associations that were formed, yet none favored well over the long haul.

All of these things has led me to believe that Karters will race for nothing, if the competition is there, and pay to do so.

Some things I still can't understand.

[John Valerio]

Darin,

Just keep the rules fair for everyone......The track is fun the crew is fun the drivers are fun and at times theres alot of drivers upwards of 160+ if you are looking for more drivers to attend events....I would recommend consistant rules for everyone no matter what color kart you drive


by the way has Jerry ever considered running the new YGK tires in the masters class


[ October 06, 2001: Message edited by: John Valerio ]