Originally Posted by Racerrob:
Duke,
I am one that remembers your "good old days". Our 305 engines back then ran about 5 to 6 shows (if we were lucky) before having to overhaul. We get 20 to 25 shows now. That 305 engine in 1970 that cost $4,500 would cost $25,000 in 2008 just due to inflation. But if I factor in the overhaul costs I will be money ahead after 2 years with my $40,000 engine.
Your $80 tire that you got 2 to 3 races on would cost $444 in 2008 due to inflation. I can only get 1 race on the current pavement tire but I am usually getting 2 to 3 races on the dirt RRs so I am roughly equal. We run the same front tires most of the season unless they get punctured or we have a rubber down racetrack.
If you want to complain about something lets talk about the purses. Today’s purse of $21,000 for a sprintcar race would have been $3,779 in 1970 dollars. I am not sure but I want to say they were a bit higher than that in 1970.
Yes you did have 30 to 35 cars but there were only 2 or 3 good cars and drivers that dominated the series. Now we have 10 to 15 good cars (sometimes many more!) at each event and it is extremely hard to predict the top three or even who will win on any given night.
As far as the haulers go, if you have the $$ and want to travel in style why not? But the last time I checked the size, expense, flashiness, etc of a hauler had no effect on how fast the car is on the track. So if someone wants to blow a sizeable portion of their racing budget on a hauler, good for them. It is their money and they should be able to spend it as they wish.
Sometimes a little perspective is a good thing.
Rob Hoffman
ROB USAC WAS AROUND $7000.00 VS 40% OF THE GATE IN THE 60 & 70S! DON SHEPARD BUILT STAHL BROS A 305 CI IN 1966 WE RUN IT ALL YEAR AND WENT TO ST. PAUL MIN. AND RACED IMCA 5 DAYS AND 5 6 7 EVERY DAY INCLUDING A 100 LAP RACE ! A LOT OF CARS THERE WITH BIG ENGINES! AND CHEVY HAS A 370 CI ALL ALUM. INJECTED 690 HP ON GAS THE CAN RACE ON ALCO. IT SELLS FOR $9600.00 AND IF THEY:checkered: GET IT IN A SIRES THEY WILL LEASE IT FOR $6900.00 A YEAR! THAT WOULD CUT THE COST OF ENGINES BY 70%!