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

Did I miss it or do you think the WoO will take less fees to help the promoters out?

I guess if I lived within easy driving range of the Port, two Groves, Susky and Lincoln, I would have a different view of the WOO policiies and guidelines.  Lucky you, let the racing resume.  

As much revenue as the WoO generates from DirtVision subscribers, sponsors for the PPV, etc, one would hope that they could throw promoters a bone this summer (at least early on, when things will not be even close to normal operating conditions) by significantly lowering or removing the sanction fees -- temporarily.  Unfortunately, that notion might be laughable (at best).

This might be an incredibly cynical view, but I think they're looking to get their true product (not video games) on the track by all means necessary (ASAP) so they can maximize DirtVision revenue.  I'm not subscribing to DirtVision if there aren't any real race cars on the track.  Maybe I'm alone... but if I'm not, their revenue is going the wrong direction... and they know it.

I wonder if Knoxville would be willing to open up both stands to  satisfy the social distancing requirements. 

While I have tremendous respect for what dirtvision has done and continues to do, it is not my responsibility to subsidize the growth of their operation just because they are broadcasting iracing. I will and have supported several race teams during this time buying from their online stores, but I just can't justify $40/month to watch not real racing. Perhaps this is the wrong attitude. 

Revenue generation and profitability are 2 different things.  I'm not disagreeing with your idea in principle.  But, I think the amount they lower the fees, etc. would have to be done in a manner that still makes them profitable.  Otherwise, rolling that entire show down the road makes no sense.  If we see events being cancelled because the WoO would not lower a fee, one would have to assume holding the show would be a losing proposition for both parties involved.  

That all said, one could assume there is some meat on the bone to help some of these tracks and promoters out.  We will see.  

I obviously don't have their balance sheet in front of me (although it would be very interesting to see it!), but have to believe that the DirtVision FastPass opened up a large revenue stream that has a very positive impact on their profitability as a whole (when real race cars are on the track). 

I agree that no business/organization should throw caution to the wind and start waiving fees without very good reasons. 

Everything about being a racer, promoter, and fan this summer (with any luck) will be anything but a 'normal' experience.  Profitability is going to be elusive, IMO, for promoters.  Being a promoter when there is NOT a global pandemic is incredibly hard (as many threads on here have alluded to re: the challenges).  For things to work out (in the very short term), there is going to have to be a balancing act... that's all I'm saying.

I agree with you for sure.  It is going to be this way in everything.  People are going to have to take less to build back up and survive.  

It will be interesting to see what happens.  I guess I won't be so quick to jump all over the WRG if some of the races fall through.  I know a lot of others are going to assume they are to blame because they are, for some reason, the evil empire.  Dirtivision is a great example.  We know additional revenue is generated, but we will soon find out how profitable it really is.  If most of the races go off without a hitch when things open back up, we can only assume agreements and concessions have been made and both sides will be able to stay in the black.  If they don't, we can assume something was not going to add up.  

I just get this feeling (not from your post) from many that they believe the World of Outlaws has bottomless pockets and has a 75% profit margin.  I would imagine they struggle to strike a balance just like any other business does.  Especially when you are talking about a group that travels around the country multiple times per year.  This shutdown is just as serious for their bottom-line as it is for any small business.  Yet, some will treat them as though they have a golden parachute. 

I hope they have the ability to do just what you say and strike some deals that benefit all parties involved----promoters, drivers, fans, and of course, the Outlaws themselves.  

What I see here is some of the bigger tracks maybe able to pull this off but we're going to lose some of the smaller ones, no question in my mind.  I suspect that if some go under when this mess has run it's course there will be prospective new owners getting some good deals buying bankrupt private tracks up from the lenders.

The thing that I see with the Outlaws are the bigger tracks, Jackson, Eldora, Williams Grove, etc., being able to pull something like this off.  It's the smaller places that dot the landscape that might not make it due to loss of income on their weekly shows.  I have mentioned many times when people insult the Stock Cars and Modifieds that those are the classes and their fans, friends and relatives who keeps these places going week in and week out.  That is how they make their living up where I live, running a six class back gate weekly show and hosting a WoO race one time a year.  For a lot of them it's a big deal just having the Outlaws come around once a year but they don't depend on that one show to pay the bills.  Remember, and I learned this talking to promoters back when I was writing, some of these places can barely afford an Outlaw show as it is.  Many bring on sponsors in order to make their WoO shows possible and couldn't do it if they didn't have those sponsors.  Even though those weekly shows with three classes of Modifieds and three classes of Stock Cars don't interest most on this board they're the life blood of some of these tracks. 

The Outlaws schedule will be fluid all season due to the conflicting state regulations.  For example, Minnesota relaxes shelter in place on May 4th.  Wisconsin (only 11 miles to my east) is said to be extending some form of whatever they have in place until the end of May.  The governor of Minnesota has stated that we shouldn't expect large gatherings until a vaccine is developed so that will restrict Jackson if they are able to get approval to hold no spectator events.  Every state is different and I suspect that there will be rolling restrictions throughout the summer if some areas experience outbreaks.

I think that some of us by getting angry at the Outlaws for their requirements are missing the point.  The World of Outlaws brand does not want to be associated with a Covid outbreak after one of their shows.  Also, they have to protect their contracted drivers, crews and race officials.  I don't know how many races they'll manage to run under these guidelines but their people are their "product" so it only makes sense that they don't want to show up at a facility where precautions aren't being taken seriously.

Finally I don't speak for anyone else but as someone who is high risk and seeing all these rules and requirements I'm officially cancelling my live racing season.  That is too many hoops to jump through and I never sit in the stands and likely couldn't get into the pits under these circumstances.  The risk and inconvenience in my personal situation are not worth the reward of seeing a race and getting a few more photos.  The smell of methanol and sight of Sprint Cars has been etched in my brain since 1960 so I won't forget it if I take a year or two off.  I missed several seasons while I was in the Navy and simply found other interests to pursue.  When there is a vaccine or the risk to the public is reduced to minimal due to dissipation and the pits and infield are free to roam I'll come back. 

I'm not angry at the Outlaws for handling this the way they are.  As they noted, they are a major player in the motorsports world and as such have to ensure the safety of everyone involved including fans.  This is a once in a lifetime event the likes of which we haven't seen since 1918 here in the US.  Some states are starting to open things up so they will serve as the "canary in a coal mine" and we'll see how it goes.

Stan Meissner

I'm really grateful for DirtVision and was surprised when they combined the Late Models and Sprints into one package.  Then adding on some of the local tracks I was again shocked at the value of the package and happily renewed (disappointed the Kings Royal wasn't included this year, but certainly understand with the purse they're paying).  Once it was clear there was no live racing any time soon though, I canceled my subscription for the time being.  

As soon as they host a live race, I'll be back.  I even did the $40 for a month of SpeedShift instead of the $25 single race for the show last Saturday in hopes they get another show in this next month.  

I'd love to know how many subscribers DirtVision had around Volusia and how many of us have paused our subscriptions for the time being.  Looks like three just in this thread.  

Also it would be in a tracks best interest to run even at a loss this year- provided they can afford it. It keeps track sponsors happy, builds goodwill with racers and fans, keeps your track in the public conscious etc. Basically taking bigger short term losses for bigger long term gains. Parks Jefferson is a perfect example of this- Even if last weekend was a money loser, they are going to see long term benefits.

So we need promotor socialism?

Member of this message board since 1997

Nah.  Just let them go out of business.  Then we all save money.  

Some deserve to go out of business. The good ones will always be around.

Member of this message board since 1997

I never had heard of this track until a month ago. Now i know where it is abd it looked like a good place to watch, racy event. I suspect FRC had to get out of Iowa to do this race, likely to do with givenors and health regions. This track is now on my map.

As far as Kville going PPV for a week or so, they open themselves up to my money they would never get without it.

Even though I may not know you, I 
care what most of you think!