Forum: SCRAFAN.COM Forum (go)
Moderators: ljennings

Doesn't seem right. What did USAC tell you? As a fan I don't understand their thinking. I was very impressed with what you did first time out. Hope I can help.

Let me ask you a more important question..why do you give a rats ass about the name usac...I've been around Victorville's track since day one and the reason you had a crowd there was because you advertised -promoted the race...Faas/Gardner filled the grandstands that way and that was the reason you filled the stands also....pay the same purse and don't make your race in conflict with Perris or usac and the drivers will show ..and as you witnessed ..race there asses off..Btw pay the purse cash at the end of the night and more cars will show[not that your not honest but you have a little legacy to overcome] you don't need usac or any other name to make it work...you have a fast smooth exciting track....racers love that..You could make a big splash in the sprint car world in So. Cal on your own

With ASCS breathing down their necks why wouldn't USAC want to cover more territory in S Cali, especially with the full house turnout they had at VRP? It doesn't seem to make any sense to me; not at all... Don't know what it is, but there's something missing here.

Half the lies they tell about me aren't true. 

race88,you hit the nail square on the head,

Mr. Promotor you don't need USAC just run your races on the dates USUC screwed you out of,give the racers a decent purse and a great place to race and they WILL come and we the fans will for sure come.

nose to tail is right USAC stepped on it again.

ROB

You guys did a fantastic job! As for USAC? I'm sorry, but I have a dirty feeling that one of two things will happen. USAC will go away....Or Perris will cease operation in the near future. The rumors are flying around, but some seem to hold weight. Do not fault yourselves. You put on a fantastic show and I WILL be driving back up for the next racce featuring Spencer, Carday, Faas, Gardner, Gaunt and the like. Like Dan said, Don't worry about the USAC name, Hasn't meant much to the west coast anyway.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the VRP Race, but looked forward to attending the next few. All I can say is WTF! This promoter did more for his one race date than I have seen other promoters do for an entire season. How did the saying go? "If you build it, they will come"?

What is USAC's problem? All I have heard are rave reviews of the racing and the facility? I am really looking forward to Chris Kearns response on this. He has been up front with other items.

Racers and owners, do you see any reason for no additional dates?

Hey Greek

What are you hearing rumors wise about the PAS?

Let Kevin Miller know how you feel

[email protected]

ROB

I do have some questions. Who was flagging the event? He didn't seem to be wearing a USAC shirt. Would this be an issue with USAC? How about the other officials?

I saw Chris in the pits after the show and he appeared to be having a good time.

Were the fees paid to USAC? In a timely manner.

Were their some other conditions that were not met?

I am just as confused as the other posters here.

Just got a return e mail from Kevin. His message basically states that he has a message from Victorville today and he didn't have a chance to return it. Props to Kevin for returning a message at 9:33 PM.

Thanks Kevin. Hope these dates will remain intact.

Well heck...we might be dealing with a promoter with sprint car driver size balls,,,now if say 25 or thirty car owners would get together and buy the name SCRA-present a proposal to this guy..could be the start of something Big.........hmmmm don't wake me up...I like this dream!

The only concerns I can think of might be the height, strength and integrity of the front straight catch fence. That has me a little worried to be honest! I also think the starter botched the start of the Flyin' Fossils class big time (unless some other bozo told him to let it go!) and one other one in a USAC heat race that was ragged and he just held the Green Flag still like he was going to through a yellow and didnt!

Other then that, hold a race open to 410's that doesnt conflict with Perris and my own racing/work schedule and I will be there! Victorville is the raciest track for its size! I love the place! I will give it as much support as I can for the sprint cars!

Joe

I will tell you who taked to Steve. I did. I told him that we would love to keep the Victorville dates.

No one at USAC has turned Victorville down for any races.

Now I will tell you the whole story! USAC/Kevin Miller told Steve/Victorville promoter that he would give him the first CRA show at Victorville for $9000 in good faith that if Steve elected to keep his other 2 dates, they would be at regular price. Steve and I spoke on the phone, about this days prior to the race. Steve had May 29th and Oct 29th as tenative dates.

Show went great. There were definetly some obstacles. 1) It was raining pretty much everywhere in California (except Victorville). I texted several people while on my way from Santa Maria and said "are you sure its not going to rain there?". 2) It was 46 degrees. 3) NASCAR was an hour away. Still seemed like a good crowd to me. 1100 paid he said. The next morning, Steve had sent out an email, saying that he would love to have more shows, but he has already figured it out and he could only afford the 9K. I sent him an email and spoke with him explaining that with rainy conditions, 46 degree weather, and simply word of mouth because of how good the show was and how nice the entire place was, his May 29th and Oct 29th dates would be much better. Just word of mouth and better weather would improve his crowd tremendously. Steve said he was sorry, he was only taking shows at 9K. He gets no food or beer money, but I am not sure how that is the sanctionng bodies responsibility. And I am saying that as a Promoter. Not as a Series Cordinator. I then told him, that this is why the purse might be cut. Promoters want to pay a 360 purse for a 410 show and USAC cannot afford to loose almost $6000 per show. (total cost to USAC for the VRP show was about $14,800). I dont know any other sanctioning body that would do what USAC has done. If I asked another sanction that I deal with to pay a 1/3 of the cost, so I could make money, they would tell me to take a hike.

USAC would love to have more shows at Victorville. It is a great facility, they do great track prep and Steve does an outstanding job of promoting. Unfortunetly, USAC cant afford to loose $5000-$6000 a race to do so. Victorville is a great facility. I feel that USAC up held there end of the bargain.

In some of my last emails with Steve, he stated that he will still have 410 Non-wing shows. I told him that he has to have names to sell the show. If he pays a 9k purse, he will not have the names. Names put fans in the seats.His response was exactly this: "the Names we had appeal to a very small Fan Base, those Names meant absolutely nothing to the local Market.....Yes I will not get the (So Called Big Names) But a Racer is a Racer, give them a race, and a true Racer will come. Hell half these guys do this as a hobby anyhow. They bitch and moan, and complain, but some will show up!

Unfortunetly, that promoter mentality is exactly what is killing 410 non-wing racing in California.

I have booked Steve's Jet powered Fire Truck for my June 4th show. I think it will definetly bring fans, because we planned to put it in the Elks Rodeo that morning, telling the people on the parade route that they can come see it shoot flames at Santa Maria Speedway that night. So, I believe that was going to be a money making night for me. I am sure after reading this, Steve will cancel that event. I have sat here, and sat here and debated, what was more important? Making money, or making sure everyone knows the whole truth, and for some stupid reason, I have decided that the truth is more important. I was angry when I read his post. Glad I took my time and wrote it correctly

Chris Kearns
www.ChrisKearnsPresents.com
805-714-8538
[email protected] 

Steve. No one tells me what to say.

And go ahead and produce "1st Class Sprint Car Racing" for a 9k purse. Wait take out the PR and $200 trophy we supplied. A $8500 purse! Wait, take out the officials fees. You have to have officials. Your exact words were that you cant pay more than 9k. You got a hell of a lot for 9k.

Dont you talk to Kazarian? Lucas isnt interested.

Chris Kearns
www.ChrisKearnsPresents.com
805-714-8538
[email protected] 

I know I'd love to see a Sprint Car /Midget open show double header ! ! The right purse and the time of year could be some of the best racing of the year if anything can be done around Nov. when Mid-West teams are waiting around for Cali races ! !

Chris,just asking can you tell us dumb ass fans just what does the promoter get for his $15,000 fee I.E insurance,officials

just asking

thanks

ROB

Chris:

I dont have a dog in this fight. I dont doubt what you posted. Mainly because its very-very rare for a promoter / sanctioning body employee to post such things. Here is a post you put out on 3/15 on the USAC/CRA PURSE topic:

CRA A-Main Purse is $12,475.

Official fees aprox $1250.

5x$100 for non transfers is $500

Without any other added costs (and there are a few more) That is $14,225.

Perris Auto Speedway pays USAC $8500 per race.

I come up with $5,775 per race that USAC pays to make sure that CRA stays at their home track for no other reason than this is where the racers say they want to be. I dont know another sanctioning body out there that would do what USAC is doing for the racers and track.

I havent even factored in the Bad a** Billet Aluminium trophies that USAC is going to supply to each track, so that the racers really have something to be proud of. ( I havent actually broke this news to USAC yet, that I have spent more of there money. lol)

I am sure some of you will have some responses about sponsorship and everything else. Those are just the cold hard numbers.

Telling it like it is, has earned me respect amongst the Late Model clan, I hope it does the same here. Not sure Kevin Miller really wants me to be this honest with all of you. But you guys need to know how much USAC does for Sprint Cars out here!!!

My question is: Promoters are in it for the $$$ because after all, it is a business. Sure you all are fans too, but you have to keep the doors open. I agree that you just cant spend 360 cash for a 410 purse over and over but........................

When a fellow promoter in the same market sees what another is getting for the same product (regardless of home track issues or not), doesnt it seem to reason that as a "business person" he/she would try to obtain the same deal for themselves? Has the "system" come back to bite itself in the rear?

Maybe he went back on a verbal / handshake deal. Heck, I dont know. Only can go with what I see you all post. It just seems to make sense that morally right or wrong, when a peer in your group finds out store X pays _____ $$$ for a product and that same product is there to get in your store also, then they would want to do all they can to get the same price.

All I mean by all of this is "maybe" that is what Steve is doing. Im aware you also posted why you and other promoters are willing to pay more and be OK with the PAS paying less. Maybe Steve wants the best deal that he sees out there too and doesnt care to pay more. If he feels that way, his challenge is that he is the new guy in the peer group (I guess)

Your postings, along with Steve's, is something hardly seen on a message board and I got to say, this makes for some damn interesting discussion. Best of luck to ALL of you. Hope things get worked out and the 410 division can thrive as it should.

John Lemon

'Sooner Circles' @ hoseheads.com

PS:

Steve Q: Did you agree to what Chris claims and then change your stance? Wouldnt normally ask here on a board but since you opened the door, I figured just as well.

Mr. Promoter...USAC did bring you some Big name 410 sprint car drivers last sat. night...but Ican't name one of them that had'nt previously raced at Victorville in a non usac race...pick a non conflicting night and find a sponser and they'll show...Racers love to race...a few really good drivers now competing with usac learned and honed thier skills at Victorville...we need that fast, wide,multigroove track for that purpose if for no other reason..please don't be dishearted...add a couple of other classes to spread the cost of the night out and go for it

The one thing I have learned in all of my years of racing, pit crewing (very part time) and spectating is that the only one that gets his money worth is the Fan!

For instance:

What does an owner get for his:

1) $40,000.00+ engine? A Ticking Time Bomb!

2) $20,000.00+ Roller? A season full of bent tubing with usually a few trips to the table for seconds and thirds in a season.

3) $200,000.00+ Hauler? Repair bills, Fuel Bills and Taxes Up the Wazoo!

Pit Crew Members:

1) I would say that 3/4 pay their own expenses to Voluteer to work on the car for Drinks and Food! That works out to about 3 drinks and 2 hot dogs per 10 hours work!

2) Many take vacation time and unpaid days off from work to be a Volunteer Pit Crew Member! Personally for the last few years that has worked out to about 20 days each year minimum to Help out or Spectate!

3) Some buy their own tools which can be upwards of $1000 or more for basic hand tools.

4) Some supply their own clothes which are ruined in one night!

Track Promoters

1) I have no idea so I cant comment but I bet most break even at best these days so that works out to about $1 - $100 an hour or so per hour of time invested. For those that think $100 an hour is a lot, I encourage you to get off your ass and try to run a business instead of just holding a hand out looking for your boss to hand you a check!

Fans:

1) Buy a $10 to $20 ticket, Pay $5 to Park!

A) Gives you the right to watch the most exciting racing God ever created!

B) Gives you the right to tell everyone else how, when and where to spend someone elses money and run the show!

C) Gives you the right to bitch about everything up to and including who folded your underwear because they didnt leave enough room for you to spew all of your crap!

D) As fans we should realize that we have the Least Amount of Money and Time Invested in this great sport that we get to enjoy each and every week!

I dont care a Rats Butt to the letters of the Sanctioning Body! They have ZERO Positive impact on ME the Spectator! I show up to support the Jory's, The Kittles, The Alexanders, The Mooses and The Smiths. They and their crews/drivers ARE the reason I show up to the races! The way I look at is the Sanctioning Bodies are the ones that are causing the teams to show up with $40,000.00 Engines! High Tire Bills etc. Where would this sport be without the car owners? Where would this sport be without the tracks?

Cal Smith blew an engine this week and may never be able to afford to repair it! Heidi Tressler is without a chassis! These people do everything they can to race and there are scores of others in the same situation. So when I hear that a Sanctioning body cant afford to lose $6,000.00 as part of an INVESTMENT into their future well being I think of Cal that probably just lost $10-12,000.00 worth of engine in the hopes that he could make a main event in his underpowered car because he loves the sport so much!

I have no idea what USAC's bottom line is but they AND Victorville Raceway (I missed this in my earlier post editing) have to be willing to lose a little to get something established and growing in a new market! USAC and Victorville have accepted the invitation to the dance now its time to strut your stuff! I can assure you that the car owners have much more invested then either one of you two!

Joe