50 years ago at Terre Haute
 

I just saw on Midwest Racing Archives that Johnny Rutherford won $1,786 for winning the USAC Sprint feature at Terre Haute on June 13, 1965. That would be equal to $13,283 today. Per the article, the total purse then was $9,065 which is equal to $68,223 in 2015 dollars. I am assuming that this was a single day show as multi day events were almost unheard of back then. So my question is....Is there any single day, non wing event that pays anywhere close to this? If not, why not? Were promotors more willing to take risks back then? Or were they better at promoting to draw a crowd? Thoughts?

Re: 50 years ago at Terre Haute
 

Originally Posted by openwheelfan1:
I just saw on Midwest Racing Archives that Johnny Rutherford won $1,786 for winning the USAC Sprint feature at Terre Haute on June 13, 1965. That would be equal to $13,283 today. Per the article, the total purse then was $9,065 which is equal to $68,223 in 2015 dollars. I am assuming that this was a single day show as multi day events were almost unheard of back then. So my question is....Is there any single day, non wing event that pays anywhere close to this? If not, why not? Were promotors more willing to take risks back then? Or were they better at promoting to draw a crowd? Thoughts?

Do you know how much it cost to get in? I wonder how those numbers would compare as well.

Re: 50 years ago at Terre Haute
 

Oval Nationals

Re: 50 years ago at Terre Haute
 

no one was at home waiting for updates. If you didn't go you waited for next weeks Speed Sport. I doubt there was PPV either.

Re: 50 years ago at Terre Haute
 

Closest I found is the Haubstadt Hustler $10000 in Sept. :17:

Re: 50 years ago at Terre Haute
 

Originally Posted by fish:
Do you know how much it cost to get in? I wonder how those numbers would compare as well.

I remember going to the Action Track several times in the early to mid 70s it seemed like it was $8 for sprint cars and $6 for midgets at the USAC races.

Re: 50 years ago at Terre Haute
 

Back in the 50's and 60's when there was a USAC show at Reading, Williams Grove or Allentown the advertisements would always list a official purse vs 40% of the gate receipts. That is why it behooved the promoter AND USAC to "beat the drums" to get people out to the races, both made money. I also remember getting into Reading in September of 1966 for $4.00 for an unreserved ticket which was twice the going rate for a regular show at Williams Grove, but it was USAC sprints after all.

Re: 50 years ago at Terre Haute
 

In that race you had at least 7or 8 Indy drivers participating and a couple of 500 winners which brought a lot of people when those guys were advertised. Promoters put posters in every little restaurant and gin joint within a 100 mile of the track

Re: 50 years ago at Terre Haute
 

back when drivers were brave and heroes.

Originally Posted by fish:
Do you know how much it cost to get in? I wonder how those numbers would compare as well.

I can't speak to 1965, but I remember going to my first race at THAT in 1969, and if my memory is correct, we paid $4 for a seat in the grandstand in 1969. That would be about $27.00 in 2015.