Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

All the talk about the World of Outlaws and High Limit boils down to talk about money, how much and who's going to get it. That's no different than the talk about the cost of sprint car racing that probably started when the 2nd ever sprint car hit the track.

That which must be mentioned in sprint car talk is cost containment! It's like Mark Twain is quoted as saying about the weather, "everybody talks about the weather, but nobody ever does anything about it". Instead of  trying to raise the payouts for top teams- more than likely by raising ticket prices- why not put that same amount of effort into cost containment for every car in the field?

For example, why does that 410 motor cost $70,000? What would it take to make the relative cost of a 410 motor more like $50,000? 410 sprint car racing has 2 major leagues, half a dozen minor leagues, and about 14 weekly tracks. That's a lot of smart people that could probably come up with ideas to contain costs. How much easier would it be to field a car, if the cost to race dropped by $1000 per night? If nobody worries about cost containment, 410 sprint car racing will continue to shrink until it's gone.

Great post

Engine cost can be reduced by having a rule stating, No engine changes after time trials. 

They say the cheapest HP is cubic inches. How about doing away with 410 cubic inch limit. Make the wing a little smaller and you only hook up so much power. On another note sprint car engines cost $70,000 because customers will pay it to win.

first Murphy well stated.

Longtimetime fan - AMEN 100%

I second this.  Great questions Murphy.  Longtimefan---Amen 100% as well.  

Now, down to Murphy's question.  I brought this up a few years ago.  I want to be very, very clear on this:  I don't support this at all, so don't start roasting me thinking I support it.  I'm simply stating there are only 2 ways to control the cost of motors. 

1.  Motor claim.  I want to be VERY clear--I DON'T WANT A MOTOR CLAIM--I AM OPPOSED.  However, this is one way to control the cost of motors.  Any car in the top-10, can claim the motor from anyone on the podium for $_________ (set amount here) and if refused, the owner/driver keeps the motor but forfeits all points and money for the night.  Once again, before you all shoot the messenger, I think 410 racing should be free of this rule.  But, since we're all complaining about the weather, and never do anything about it-----this is one way to do something about it.  It would have to be a car that finishes in the top-10, because we can't have cars finishing 24th running a worn out 360 claiming motors.  

2.  Other option---crate motors.  Once again, I DON'T WANT CRATE MOTORS---I AM OPPOSED.  But, the question was asked.  And this would do it.  Have some "economy" 410 motors quoted by various manufacturers, and have a committee approve numerous motors on a 2 or 3 year cycle, with set costs spelled out by the manufacturer.  

I don't want either of these, but if you want to get serious about bringing down motor costs, both of these options would do it.  I don't think the 410 class is the place for this, and I have no skin in the game, so I give no craps how much money teams are willing (not forced) to spend on motors.  So all I did was answer a question.  

the board has been enjoyable to read.

Egras - like you I agree that you listed two tangible ways to cut costs and like you i personally don't like either....

As far as motors let them build them from stock or the proverbial "junkyard" steel blocks or the old 454 chevy big block.

From a different angle:

IMHO the real reason for the insane Cubic Dollars madness is the cars have become so hooked up/locked down that people can buy more horsepower to win....

unhook the cars - i can think of two ways:

1. less square feet of wing.
2. smaller and harder right rears.

Current motor and potential cost saving (less frequent rebuilds):

a compression change....I do believe some drivers, owners,  and crew chiefs have discussed enforcing a better compression rule - help here i get it backwars 12 to 1 and 15 to 1 i think 410's are currently 12 to 1 and people are suggesting 15 to 1.  

i would love to hear others thoughts.....

one "expense savor" in quotes because i think it is laughable was the elimination of shock adjustment cables (USAC has them)....I say go to a standard shock and let them adjust - the cables are cheap...