Originally Posted by david mitchell:
Opinions on why more guys from west coast do not compete in indiana sprintweek.purses,fuel for haulers at the moment are relatively cheap,cars are the same.everything is much like it was back in the 90s when you had like ten or so come back.what has changed.
Maybe they are waiting on a weather report for Sprintweek from you........
Originally Posted by jim goerge:
If its not that much more Maybe you should put your money where your mouth is and pick out a west coast car and pay for their trip
Originally Posted by motorhead748:
The reason or answer to just about any problem or question whether it's racing or not is money.
And the idea of making them point races would likely bring the top 2-3 cars that are in the points championship chase.... the rest arnt gonna spend a minimum of $3000 on travel alone for what is likely a few hundred dollars in point fund money.
Your exactly right. A certain multi time USAC championship team wouldn't make the west coast swing unless they were third or better in points or had a legitimate shot of taking third by the end.
Most that do go other than the top five, Go for the Prestige of the Oval Nationals and the big purse.
I'd love to see multiple out of area teams running sprint week. There are ways to get some. Higher purses, Higher tow money for teams outside 500 miles. But there is also another hitch. It's basic USAC 32-40 car format Four heats, consi and feature. Not condusive to bigger counts. Some are starting 10-12 cars and only 8 laps.
In the late 80's early 90's we raced for 4000 to win 300 to start on the tour races,a new Shaver motor was 25 grand.Today the Sprint week races pay 5000 to win 500 to start and a new motor is 50+grand.So the purse money hasn't kept up with the costs.
Most teams out here are family owned and funded now versus back then when there was more car owners with deep pockets and hired drivers who had raced around the country thus having a chance to do well racing back there.
We have trouble getting good car counts when we race at tracks other than Perris so why do you think guys would travel back there when some can't afford to even go a couple hours from home,it's like yea lets travel 2000 miles to get your ass handed to you every night and spend a bunch of money that they don't have. IMO there are only a few guys running out here that have any chance racing back there unlike years ago when you had quite a few guys that not only had a chance at running well but also winning some races.
Even if Sprint Week was a points race for USAC-CRA you would still only get 5 or 6 teams make the trip,hell anymore we can hardly beat the National guys in our back yard, so why would anyone from out here think they're going to kick butt back there. Most of the guys from out here that do come back are happy if they even make the feature every night.
12 Likes:BrentTFunk, Charles Nungester, Dirtfan, dirtnonwingfan, jim goerge, Mattmac05, oldfan49, opnwhlmnd, oppweld, robert gatten, Scott Daloisio, tirespinner
I'd love to see multiple out of area teams running sprint week. There are ways to get some. Higher purses, Higher tow money for teams outside 500 miles. But there is also another hitch. It's basic USAC 32-40 car format Four heats, consi and feature. Not condusive to bigger counts. Some are starting 10-12 cars and only 8 laps.
To pay more money teams and fans need to support the higher paying races. Many nights the races that pay more draw less cars and fans. As a fan I think the USAC format is the best and fairest there is. But if you want better paying shows, support the ones who pay more.
Originally Posted by Scott Daloisio:
You mentioned 358's killing car counts in PA. 360's are doing the same to 410 racing here on the west coast. 360 racing virtually wiped out 410 racing in AZ and it is pounding nails into the coffin here in California.
It happens everywhere. Anywhere a lower class of Sprints pop up guys drop down a class, costs go up, and the product gets diluted. Casual fans walk away and never return. Not enough people go to the races, tracks close. No one ever learns.
[QUOTED in Part...why would anyone from out here think they're going to kick butt back there. Most of the guys from out here that do come back are happy if they even make the feature every night.[/QUOTE]
Californians do pretty well here in the Midwest. 15 USAC National races so far this year. Seven won by Californians. Five by Indiana/Illinois drivers. Three by drivers from three other states.
When was the last time any of those guys actually lived in California? Those guys are Indiana USAC regulars. I think his point was if you're not racing the Indiana tracks on a regular basis it will be very tough to compete. Honestly minus maybe Gardner, Bernal (who is coming) and Vanderweers who is it you guys want to see out here? The best of the best will be in the house. Who cares if 60 cars show up.
He does have a knack for jinxing