Originally Posted by Racerrob:
Just a few observations:
The Western World purse for two days is something like $45,350 and the three day purse for the Oval Nationals is a little over $60,000.
A standard 1 day USAC National Sprint Car Purse is between $19,000 and $20,000. So for the chance to run for the very close to the same money as 5 USAC races in Indiana, we will travel 4,300 miles over a two week period AND get to pay $15.00 more per pit pass each night at Perris.
We figure this trip costs about $10,000 to make each year if we don’t hurt cars or engines. If not for our sponsors and the point’s battle, why would anyone in their right mind make this trip? Is it any wonder the MPHG team cited money as the reason not to go?
I am all for making "big events" out of the USAC National series, but it should also make some financial sense as well. Indiana Sprint Week, the PA swing, the defunct Buckeye Nationals, etc all made sense for teams based in Indiana and the surrounding states. But if USAC wants a true national traveling series the purses will need to increase and the increase should not come out of the competitor's wallets through pit pass increases.
Just my $.02.
Rob Hoffman
While I'm not a car owner, Rob, I can feel your pain. And if you look at the Perris website, you'll see that you're racing for $1000 to win on Thursday and Friday....so unless you win, you don't stand a chance of covering expenses. Like you said, other than points, there's no reason for this or the Western to be national series shows. And while owning a race car is like owning a boat(it's a hole in the water that you keep throwing money into), an entry fee and pit passes should not pay the purse...Like someone else posted on the SoCal Board, the racer's pay to entertain the fans.......