In today's dwindling fields I have wondered why more of the local SLM teams have not gone out on the road to travel to some of the bigger lucas or WoO shows. There are guys here that have the equipment and talent. There car owners are spending large sums of cash for little in return. You have more choices than ever before to hit the road and pick and choose what races you care to attend. Probably one of the biggest drawbacks would be if you can qualify well. SLM teams are seperated by very little today. You have the SLM guys, the LM guys, and now the crate teams. Is it fair to have a hi paying crate race and you have the SLM guys drop a crate motor in and come cherry picking ? Should drivers be allowed to do this ? The sport is only hurting itself for the benefit of those that have the talent and the money behind them.
8 replies to this topic
#2
Posted 21 May 2017 - 09:37 PM
Racing has always been geared towards the money and talent. That has been the case for years and years. The big difference now vs, say, 10 or 20 years ago is that there's less expendable cash to go around. When the economy gets healthy again, car counts will pick back up.
Here in western PA, we also have an issue that no other area in the country has. There's three headliners in a rather narrow area. It's cool because of the diversity, but it also hinders all three headliners. If all that existed here was SLM (or sprints or big blocks), tracks would be getting full fields every night.
Here in western PA, we also have an issue that no other area in the country has. There's three headliners in a rather narrow area. It's cool because of the diversity, but it also hinders all three headliners. If all that existed here was SLM (or sprints or big blocks), tracks would be getting full fields every night.
- LM RACING likes this
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#3
Posted 22 May 2017 - 08:08 AM
Also 20 years ago you could get a competitive car together for $25,000 and race for $1000 to win. People also use to spend time to build their motors and cars. Now days a strong store bought car is $80,000-$100,000. To race for $1000-$1500 locally. If someone had a good season back then without destroying a car or blow a motor, they could cover most of their expenses. Now with top notch equipment and 20 wins in a season doesn't even get you close. Another issue is all the local mom and pop stores and bars that use to give their patrons $500-$1000 to go race are no longer around.
- Wolfie29 likes this
Matt D
#4
Posted 22 May 2017 - 08:47 AM
Also 20 years ago you could get a competitive car together for $25,000 and race for $1000 to win. People also use to spend time to build their motors and cars. Now days a strong store bought car is $80,000-$100,000. To race for $1000-$1500 locally. If someone had a good season back then without destroying a car or blow a motor, they could cover most of their expenses. Now with top notch equipment and 20 wins in a season doesn't even get you close. Another issue is all the local mom and pop stores and bars that use to give their patrons $500-$1000 to go race are no longer around.
I was crewing for a big block mod team 20 years ago. Engines were 30k and a roller was around 20k. Point title was 8k. Replaced one engine during the season as the original one went out for freshening at a cost of 8k. We were running for 2k weekly, and managed to win 13 of 22 features. Still came out negative for the year.
Weekly racing isn't about the money. It's a very expensive hobby. If teams are counting on winning enough weekly to pay for the year, they're going about it all wrong.
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#5
Posted 22 May 2017 - 09:20 AM
Well, how should they do it, I'm sure there are alot of teams waiting for this answer!
#6
Posted 22 May 2017 - 02:37 PM
How do you end up with a small fortune racing? Start with a large fortune.
I heard that from engine builder Tommy Stotish.
My dad drove late models in the early 70's at North Hills, Butler, Mercer, Blanket Hill, and occasionally Tri City. We won the last late model track championship at Blanket Hill.
#7
Posted 22 May 2017 - 02:50 PM
Yes if you bought new stuff you are correct. My uncle crewed a super late team back then that had a home built sb2 $14,000 engine and a $4,000 car. Won Many features and a few championships. Buying brand new and being competitive is a huge difference.I was crewing for a big block mod team 20 years ago. Engines were 30k and a roller was around 20k. Point title was 8k. Replaced one engine during the season as the original one went out for freshening at a cost of 8k. We were running for 2k weekly, and managed to win 13 of 22 features. Still came out negative for the year.
Weekly racing isn't about the money. It's a very expensive hobby. If teams are counting on winning enough weekly to pay for the year, they're going about it all wrong.
Matt D
#8
Posted 23 May 2017 - 12:36 PM
I've been wondering how/why Chub Frank continues to travel after not even winning a race for numerous years
#9
Posted 23 May 2017 - 02:51 PM
Sponsorship money and he sells and fix carsfor a ton of guys so that offsets his losses.
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