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

You're looking at short term "best interests", not "mutual self interest"

The sport needs enough teams to make the races worthwhile & keep the track afloat. Outlaws only come every so often, that won't pay the bills for a whole season

Im looking at it through the eyes of some of the track owners I know from back in my website and writing days.  We had conversations about this specific issue and it makes absolutely no sense for them to raise purses when it's not going to make any difference in the car or fan counts.

I get where you're coming from but location is a factor in this as well.  I live in Minnesota north of the Twin Cities.  When the Outlaws come around they draw around 25-30 cars on Friday night then lose a handful to Knoxville on Saturday but pickup a couple IRA cars that couldn't get off work on Friday.  They could throw more money in but it's still going to be the same number of cars. 

They have a neat deal that they do with their USA Nationals Late Model show called fans fund where the fans chip in and resulting funds are used to lure drivers "way up here".  They nominate drivers and offer something like $1,000 to lure them up here.  These are fan favorites that are based in other parts of the country.  It's a good deal but probably wouldn't work for Sprints.

Stan Meissner

For a $20,000 Purse. It Cost a promoter $85,000 in WOO fees and payouts before they even open the door. Your stands better be full and concessions sales better be brisk and on point with a quality product.

That is where creative sponsorships come into play and multiple promoters working together on one race comes into play.Fans want to be involved in Racing and sponsoring laps, races, awards, etc.

The money is not going to walk up to a promoter, they have to go out and sekk the money and build relationships.

One thing I might have missed in all these posts. When WOO drops the Trailers they are in control of the Facility/Event. The Promoter and there staff is there to work with the WOO. Everyone from vendors to racers etc have to be on there best behavior. WOO officials are always around in the front and on the track.

Food for thought! When a WOO Promoter can make more money promoting his states Speedweek and attract some big names in Sprint Car Racing for the week is it really cost effective to payout $85,000 before you even open the doors.