Forum: Northern California Sprint Car (go)
Moderators: StuDeedooo

http://www.hammerdownusa.com/

- By Bobby Gerould - ..."Reality is frisking me." - Common. ...It is human nature to want the best of both worlds. The reality is that usually you cannot have that. As racers - we love that a BIG race at "our" local track pays BIG money but we may not be enthused about the compliance it takes to participate in the event. The tires are different. Costs are higher for the BIG show than they are at the weekly experience. ...Such is the case with the 2010 Gold Cup Race of Champions at Chico's Silver Dollar Speedway. ...I love the Gold Cup. I have not missed the race since I was two years old. What I hope to accomplish here is to simply lay out some educational facts from different perspectives in hopes that we all will be more sensitive to the race teams, promoters, and sanctioning body. The Gold Cup is THE sprint car race in the Western United States and it attracts the best teams in our sport year after year. This year the field will not be split on preliminary nights. All cars will run all three nights in the World of Outlaws sanctioned event. As such - Thursday and Friday will be WoO points races that pay $8,000 to-win and $600 to start. ...If a promoter wants "the best, four abreast", it will cost them. As well it should. Saturday night A-Main makers are guaranteed $1,000 if they take the green flag. The total purse for the event exceeds $210,000. The skill of the drivers in the World of Outlaws, in their 410 winged sprint cars, is second to none (a fact if you go by lap times - an opinion otherwise) on Chico's quarter-mile. These cats are on the edge of the edge. It is a special site to behold. But having the best comes with pre-conditions. In 2010, the rear tires at all World of Outlaws races have to be Goodyears. In Northern California - every sprint car series runs on Hoosiers. So local teams face a decision to either "Eagle up" or sit out. Whereas in years past there were multiple weekends of WoO racing in the Golden State, the Gold Cup is now the only California WoO event in September.Some local teams will not participate because they don't want to buy new tires "just for the Gold Cup". Some will stay away because they don't want to have to pay to join the World of Outlaws. (Joining the Outlaws makes you eligible for their insurance coverage, and gives you a discount at the pit gate* plus other benefits.) Some don't want to pay an entry fee. Some cite a combination of tires, and fees as their reason to stay away. Whatever the case is - if you choose not to race, I respect that. If it is economically not feasible, I understand. I wish it wasn't that way. But there is that darn reality frisking us. ...Owning a sprint car is a money losing deal. It has been for as long as I've been around it. For 95% of those who own a car, losses will outweigh gains. The engine cost is outrageous. Depending on new or used - we are talking $30,000 to $50,000. Frames, components and spares are needed. Truck and trailer costs are not a picnic for the wallet either. ...What is realistic for three nights of racing at the Gold Cup - assuming you have all the equipment to race? A trusted source on a good regional team says they will buy eight to ten Goodyear tires for the Gold Cup at an estimated cost of $1,600 to $2,000 ($200 per tire). For a lower budget team, used or "scrubbed" tires purchased from an established WoO team would be a way to save some money. ...My buddy's team will buy five pit passes per night at $37* (15 x $37 = $555). His team joined the WoO in the spring so they only have to pay the entry fee ($50 if entered before August 27th). He says the team really should stay four nights in Chico but they will get by on two rooms for three nights at a cost near $750 after taxes. They still have to pay for gas for the truck (estimated at $450 round trip), fuel for the racer, food, and most importantly to some on the crew - they have to buy enough water, soda, gatorade, and BEER for the cooler. Bottom line; my friend says he figures his team can do the weekend for about $3,500-$4,000 if they don't break something or crash. He figures some teams will find a way to do it more cheaply, while "two or three California teams" will spend more. Adding a real bit of racer savvy that "Joe Fan" probably does not consider, - my friend's team figures "nights of racing on the motor" into the equation. (Sprint car engines are only raced so many nights before they are sent back to the builder for a re-tune). Since this year's Gold Cup requires three nights of racing rather than two as in the past - this team is one night closer to a re-tune at the conclusion of the event. All of the above illustrates why sponsorship in racing is so important. If someone is giving you money to help offset the tremendous operating costs - you might have a chance to break even or make money. Certainly sponsors should want their cars racing at the Gold Cup. The chance for exposure is multiplied exponentially due to the increased media coverage the race commands. ...Make the A-Main and finish last each night and you've got $2,200 in purse winnings. If you can run in the top 15 each night - the money increases. If you sweep the deal you could score $66,000! Only each specific race team can determine whether or not they can rationalize entering any particular event. I know of one quality driver who I respect a ton that runs his own family team and sadly - he will not compete at the Gold Cup. This guy is a racer. He would be at the Gold Cup if he could. But...he is spending an estimated five grand for a repair on his 360 engine which he needs for the Johnny Key Classic at Watsonville, a race he has a better shot of winning than the Gold Cup. With 'seeds to feed' and family considerations - he simply does not have the money to spend to run with the WoO teams in Chico. His situation is real. Also very real is that Handy Promotions - the promoter of the event is spending more than ever too. By having each preliminary night be a WoO points race - their expenses increase in purse payout. Educated sources tell us the bill to promote the Gold Cup is the neighborhood of $400,000. That is a hell of a lot of risk. The purse, as mentioned, eats up more than half of that nut. Next comes the sanctioning fee - clocking nearly 20% of the total. The rest is spent in insurance, advertising, staff, security, utilities, etc (all coming with that inflated California price tag)... Money is spent to ensure fans have fun with Bikini Contests, and post-race activities. It adds up quickly. Paying $50,000 to-win is costly. The Gold Cup doesn't have to pay $50,000 to win - but because it does - it maintains it's status as a top-shelf, signature event on the WoO schedule. As locals in California - we take great pride in "our" track's premier show having such swagger. Race fans in Australia and New Zealand know of Chico, California as a glamour spot in the sport. People from Central Pennsylvania travel to see the Gold Cup out of curiosity to see if the race could possibly live up to its reputation (and maybe to see those California girls in their bikinis). Only three races on the WoO schedule pay $50,000. The Kings Royal is a single day race tied to another "stand alone" night of racing 24 hours prior. The Williams Grove National Open is contested over two nights. The Gold Cup - now requiring running all three nights - becomes the only WoO race to do that AND offer the $50,000 top prize. The racers return to this event in large part because of the money but also due to the great heritage of the race that actually pre-dates sprint cars. The Gold Cup at Chico featuring the World of Outlaws is still a relative entertainment bargain when you consider prices for NASCAR, the NBA, NFL, or heck - even the movies. It gets old hearing folks complaining about anything from Gold Cup pit pass prices to entry fees. Is it cheaper at a BIG event in the midwest? Yes it is. But so is the cost of living. Why would a pit pass price be exempt to this rule? Your gasoline is cheaper in the midwest. Your barbeque is less expensive in the midwest. That is reality. Another reality is that the sanctioning fee for three days of WoO racing is costly. But that sanctioning fee is part of the reason that the WoO can continue to get up and down the road and bring their traveling circus to town. The WoO souvenir trailer, the officials, the announcers, the writers who keep us informed, - all have to be paid. If you enjoy a WoO race on TV on Speed - that costs money to produce too. Sanctioning fees help beat up the cost it takes to keep the WoO functioning as the "Greatest Show on Dirt". ...The point is... special events cost more than regular events for all involved. And special events also pay more than regular events do. I WANT Handy Promotions to make money on the Gold Cup so that they continue to be enthused about bringing the best in the world within an hour and thirty minutes drive of my front porch. The Gold Cup IS and always has been a SPECIAL race. Once a year teams get a chance to race for the right to have their name on the list of Gold Cup winners or even as one of those that have qualified for the final 24 on Saturday night. This September 9-11, I expect the racing to be more intense than ever - with all the stars running each night, fighting for precious points. As a fan I am going to be understanding of teams that can't make it but I am also going to celebrate those that find a way to make participation a reality. ...For more information on the Gold Cup visit Handy Promotions or the World of Outlaws.

Instead of the usual 100+ cars there will probably around 70 each night? What do ya think.Thats still plenty of cars! The pits will be jammed pack!

"Checker's or Wrecker's"

Save the Dirt Oval's around the globe and protect those
with
the passion that keep them in racing condition week in
and week out!

YUP - BG's the man. I can't think of anyone who could have articulated what he is saying in that column as well as him.

I really think there will be less than 50 this year! The Outlaws will have 16 or 17 and the GSC has only been drawing 20 to 24 cars a night all season. I am sure we might get a couple from up north, and few 360's so that will put us around 40 to 50. I am hearing that quite a few that normally run the G.C. aren't going to this year. We only had 76 cars last year! I think if Handy knew he was gonna have 70 cars he would still split the field. I think the reason Handy made the decision to have the cars run all three nights is because he knows there wont be enough cars to split the field! Either way I can't wait for the Gold Cup, it is always my funnest week of the year!

a wise man once said "turn right to go left!" 

I as always enjoyed chatting with Bobby at P-ville. He is willing to give his opinion on matters to anyone that will listen. I doubt very much that there will be more than 55 cars at Gold Cup on Thursday, with a drop off of 4-6 cars on Friday, and another 4-6 on Saturday. California teams that go about purchasing Goodyear tires for the race will be able to use them next year... shhhh

If the reason the cali drivers arent racing The Gold Cup is tires then why didnt they start a tire fund at the beginning of the year ......This IS the Gold Cup! There is more to it.

"Checker's or Wrecker's"

Save the Dirt Oval's around the globe and protect those
with
the passion that keep them in racing condition week in
and week out!

Another factor for some not running is the new rule you must run all 3 nights. In the past we've qualified on Friday because Evan has had school, though he's in graduate school now he still has class on Thursday evenings, 2 to be exact and that might just take us out of competing this year. We wont know until the last minute, sad but true.

Don't Flatter yourself...last year 76 cars qualified ..BUT not on the same night.. its real simple an earlier start time..

Hammerdown!

Uhm... not sure how I was flattering myself, I've never been real good at that and according to you I'm still not.

My point is the field is not being split this year because of car count concerns. Wouldn't be much of a spectacle with 30 cars on Thursday and Friday. I've been going to Chico since West Capital closed down and 70 cars in one night is quite a challenge when you have to beat a curfew, qualify 70 cars, run 6 or 7 heats, a dash then D,C,B, and A mains. It can be done if the reds and yellows are few which is never likely on that bullring.

One things for sure. The Gold Cup will be a blast like it always is. I can hardly wait!

I agree but like i say it will have to be a ealier start time which usually makes for a slick track but i guess we shall see

Hammerdown!