Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
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I've been attending "Gold Cup" for lets just say since 1964 when it was 200 laps on a half mile at West Capitol Speedway and was raced on Sunday afternoons believe that it's true.  I think this was my last year to attend as it isnt a shell of what it once use to be.  I and many friends can't believe how far this race has fallen in every facet.  Its more a glorified regular friday night show now with Outlaws. We understand times change and the country goes through economic ups and downs.  This race was once on the top 5 in the country, the high banked, gumbo track was famous for pulling your shoes off and not being able to un hook your car enough, wheel stands were the norm.  It was a 3 day event/happening,  and brought people from all over the country, as far away as Hawaii and England.  Most people had to get rooms many miles away from Chico because all hotels/motels locally were sold out months ahead, some stayed as far away as Sacramento. The purse has taken so many ups and downs 10k to 25k to 50k then back to 10k its terrible and many people call this race "Tin Cup" now due to the purse dropping so far. The car count use to be 100+ and was a  split field and the local drivers held their own.  The camping and grandstands were sold out completely months ahead and many had to stand and watch as their were no seats available. The before and after race activities/partying were legendary and many, many stories today still exist and are told of all those crazy parties and fans late night in the camping area of "Gold Cup".  The pits use to be so full of people it was almost dangerous.  Pageantry is gone completely and although most dont miss it, it is a needed necessity.  No production around the track, no live professional singer each night for the national anthem and no medical helicopter brought in just before start of race incase needed.  Sad to think how far this once great race/happening has fallen.  Its going to take someone a lot of work and money to bring it back to where it once was for such a long time. I wish the younger generation could experience the great fun we had for many years at this once awesome race/event, I'll always hold them close.  

CAJ

Unfortunately your post would have been just as relevant 5 years ago as it is today.

Race is not near what it was.

I don't understand how they got away with dropping the purse last year (2014).

The main event payout for a Friday or Saturday show was $47,800.

On the first night of last years Gold Cup they paid $37,000

Second night $52,050.

Looks like the main event total for both nights is $6550 short.

How can something be a premier event when they are racing for less

than a normal show?

This year its the only result listed on the Outlaw website not to list the wininngs.

How come?

It's the standard 2 day purse. 8k to win night 1, 12k to win night 2.

When they have a 2 night show where the winner gets paid $10k to win each night, the purse is reduced to around $44,500 each night.

"Tarnished Bronze" Cup at best. When you look at what they want you to pay to get in the joint compared to other major events like the Knoxville Nationals or Trophy Cup it can't be anything but a "wtf?" moment. So sad.

It wasn't a two day show.

It was two one day shows.

I haven't been to Gold Cup in about 6 years do to moving to Colorado. We camped in the fairgrounds for every Gold Cup from the early 80's until 2009. If not mistaken after Padjen handed down the promoter obligations the format and purse was quickly changed and it started going down hill from there.  I would think if the format and purse was at least 20k that you would of seen more drivers like Sammy Swindell, (now running a 2nd CJB Car) Steve Kinser (has run some races this year) Hudenchilds, 2-3 Roth cars, The Dude, some Washington and Knoxville regulars. Heck I didn't even see the normal 360 guys that use to run. So I ask my racing friends that still go to Gold Cup, what happend? Is the fairgrounds still full of RV's and tents? If so with the lower purse and changed format is it any cheaper to camp or purchase tickets? How about a Hooserville Corn Hole Game? What's going on at Gold Cup these days?

If true that's odd. But either way the total purse would be 89k regardless. 

So what fell off first, attendance, promotion, sponsorship, car count, payout?  I realize all those are somewhat related but one had to happen first.  Knoxville doesn't seem to be having any problem.  Williams Grove has expanded their big show to 3 days this year so that appears to be a plus.  What's happened on the west coast?

I went in 2009, and it had 75 cars (which was a drop from 100+ from years back), it paid 50k to win and it seemed like it was a big crowd. Certainly was packed where I was sitting. We got lucky some people returned their tickets so we got a turn 4 seat pretty high up.

I went back in 2012, had about 50 cars, paid $12k to win and I could buy grandstand tickets day of.

Somewhere in that time frame, the event went completely off the rails.

thats why tulare is #1 on the radar now i believe...trophy cup is coming up in about a month.  the dirt cup at skagit speedway is in the same shape, going downhill .!!!and now the dirt cup is a 360 show as is the trophy cup...but 90 or more cars makes it great...

Ascot was the greatest of all time..

West Capital wasn't half bad either..

Life is good...

2009 John Padjen stopped being the promotor and his step son Allan Handy took over. This was the first step with Gold Cup Going down. John as I was told in a rumor would pay to get racers there.

Allan didn't I guess. Then under his controll the track it's self went down hill. More dry with lots of dust. When the wind blew most of the dust ended up in the stands. So people stopped going at the same time less cars and less spectator so less purse money.

2011 Dennis Gage the long time anouncer for the speedway took over. Track got a litle better got rid of most of the dust anyway. But Gold Cup went from 3 days to 2 days. Gold Cup is 410 winged Sprint Cars. I'm not a big fan of how (as someone in the motor post) spec the outlaw cars are. To many rules. Don't like the flat wings. So I stopped going in 2001. But look in each week at Mike Doyles video of the races. And the way it is now, it's the outlaws, and California cars.

The other thing that happend was the Outlaws came up north into Canada, then at Skagit, Grays Harbor in Washington, then into Oregon at Cottage Grove , Willamette, or Southern Oregon Speedway. So alot of Washington fans see them at Skagit and Grays Harbor. The Oregon fans see them at one of the 3 tracks each year why go to Gold Cup.

This is where alot fans and cars came from, Washington had a big 410 class at Skagit in the 80's and 90's that came down.

Went to Gold Cup from 1971 till 2004 . Much more bang for you buck in the Indiana area . We now leave California in April and return for the Trophy Cup .

We have been going for quite a few years...Reserve camping and seating almost a year in advance.  Probably not necessary but for the convenience of being where we want; its worth it. 

We don't care about the parties and the Bikini contest. We just enjoy the festival atmosphere and 4 days of great racing. 

Last week I can honestly say that the Wednesday and Thursday show was just as good as Friday and Saturday; if not better. 

Saw 51  Civil War cars (winged 360's) and 34 non-wing 360's on Wednesday and USAC wingless sprints and midgets on Thursday. All in all the track crew and announcers all did a great job. 

I'm not complaining....much. Decided on Saturday to grab a bite a the concession stand as we had packed up our trailer to leave immediately following the race that night and well...decided to pass.  Corn Dog -$4.50.   Chicken Strips (no fries) $6.50.  Way, way  outrageous. 

Sis this the same fabled "Gold Cup" name that was held sacred in a prevoious thread  on this forum that ripped the new owner of "Badlands" for daring to name a 2016 race with a similat label?

Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH 
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better 
weather." Van May

I paid an WRG shows price and spent a few days with my son And visit family. While we watched Bad Ass sprint cars put on a pretty damn good race. Thank you Silver Dollar Speedway and the 1600 mile round trip when all the driving was done was well worth it.

We need more sprint car racing at our home track.

I am grateful that Dennis Gage and his staff keep Silver Dollar Speedway and the Gold Cup alive. I appreciate their hard work.

It's true that the Gold Cup isn't what it used to be. I enjoy the first two nights these days, but I don't care much about two 1-day WoO shows on Friday and Saturday. I say, drop the WoO and try something different. Trophy Cup has proven you don't need national sanctioning for a really big event.

that is a great point, you hit the nail on the head.  the dust was horrible and neverending, carcounts were down, the fans stopped coming and thus, smaller purses.  remember the days when it paid 50K?  those were the days.  but, the track was well prepped for the gold cup i thought.  sure, maybe to much but for the A it was in great shape , real racey ,with more than one grooveand maybe a comeback is beginning.  the promoter of cycleland (not sure of his name) did all the track work...well done!

Ascot was the greatest of all time..

West Capital wasn't half bad either..

Life is good...

In 2005 I had the privilege to attend the Gold Cup in Chico Ca. I had a great time, I remember attending a BBQ downtown in Chico, it was a great deal for sure. I have been to many tracks across the US and Canada, Chico rated very high on the list.