Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

With the insurgence of the newly formed Sprint Car Challenge Tour with sponsorship help from Elk Grove Ford, Abreu Vineyards and Kyle Larson coupled with the release of the Placerville Speedway schedule which is pitting the $5k to win Forni Classic on the same night at the Watsonville Civil War $5k to win Key Classic, it sure looks like a true "Civil War" is brewing in NorCal for 360 sprint supremacy.  The Civil War series responds by (nearly) matching the new SCCT purse, dropping pill draw fees and posting the year-end points champion payout, which as I understand may have been an issue in 2016.

Anyone have any insider information as to what's causing the divide?

No insight, but it dosn't look like a huge divide schedule wise. The Civil War and Challenge Series are only scheduled on top of each other once- May 27th with CW at Marysville (Mel Hall Memorial $3k to win) and SCCT at Stockton (normal $2.5K to win w/ $500 bonus for series regular). The SCCT over laps with KWS twice- 6/17 and 8/26, with KWS at Petaluma both times and SCCT at Antioch and Stockton. For reference, PMG scheduled CW on top of KWS once on 7/1 with KWS in Hanford and CW at Marysville.

Track wise, it is true the 2 series do not share any common track other than Stockton which is a co-sanctioned event, but KWS and SCCT will visit 3 other common tracks (Placerville, Petaluma and Antioch). If anything, it's probally going to hurt the local track series the most, as a top 360 team will now have 20 well paying touring dates through the season.

My understanding, through my sprint car friends, is that there were a lot of people unhappy with the way the John Prentice/Brent Kaeding team ran both the KWS and Civil War series.  Personally, I miss what the Civil War deal started as many years back with the old NARC from NorCal and the old CRA from the south getting together for some shows.  CRA was non-winged and NARC was mostly wings.  If both the CW & SCCT series are around after a season or so I'll be surprised.  There's only so many cars.  With the new group paying more for  360s than Chico's regular Friday 410s it could affect that 410 count.too and that's not good.

Spint cars are the show at any track.  Without them, the promoters dont have much of a show.  Without seeing the operating costs of a track (rent, insurance, labor, etc.) its hard to know what kind of margins the promoters are actually working with. I dont imagine they are getting rich, but I'm sure there is room for bigger payouts to the racers at all tracks.  Not just  the SCCT and Civil War shows. The 410 pay out at SDS is embarrasing.  In their defense though, the stands have been pretty bare lately.

If the racers were organized, meaning a part of a club, that negotiated with the promoter, payout's would change.

I also believe the solution to helping both the racer and the promoter is more attendance.  The racers need to help the promoters get more fans in the stands. A partnership.   We need to give Joe 6 pack someone to root for.  A dog in the fight.  Not just beat on them on social media.

If the racers were organized, meaning a part of a club, that negotiated with the promoter, payout's would change.

Meaning a racers union?

Yes.

There is no representation now.  

Racers would have to all get on the same page and be organized enough to sit down and have a reasonable conversation with track owners.  Not bully them but partner with them and help drive track owners revenues.  Be willing to help promote the sport outside of just showing up at a track on Friday or Saturday night.

I think most racers understand that butts in the stands are good for us, and would like to help promote the sport, but many of us are spread super thin "just showing up at a track Friday or Saturday night".

Can you give some examples?

I want to start off saying I'm not anyway close to being a marketing expert.  Just my thoughts on the state of the sport.  My son races a 360 and a 410.   Hes 18 years old and is in his senior year at high school.  There isnt one other kid in his school that knows what a sprint car is and what he does on Friday and Saturday night.  My guess the drivers need to become involved somehow in the community.  Raising money for local charities or some other way to gain community awareness.  Car washes, etc.

In my opinion for people to come out to their local track they need to have 2 things.

A dog in the fight.  Someone to root for.  There are many ways the drivers and the tracks can help connect the drivers with the fans.  More interaction with the teams on race night.  Silly contests during a break on the front stretch.  Drivers going into the stands and handing out t-shirts, or free coupons for future races, hot dog coupons.  Hell anything.

A fair price at the gate.  When Dad comes home on Friday night and wants to take the family out for something to do it shouldnt break the bank getting in the front gate.  The concessions should be reasonable.

Just my opinion.  Maybe I'm missing something.

I know.  Its tough getting the car and trailer ready all week.  Then usually crazy busy at the track.  I find it really easy for local companies to donate small things.  Movie passes, free ice cream, etc.  Interaction with the crowd for 15 minutes a night.  The booth could easily come up with some dumb contest and have the drivers pass out the winnings.  Just a thought.

I appreciate the input and thought.

Promoters dont promote, wont promote and live off the back of teams at the back gates.  Hell,  Prentice dosent even post points payout at beginning of year or go to his own races.  He could careless until now, now he cares cause someone is building a bigger, better mousetrap and taking his money.  He left the door wide open and someone stepped clean through.   Good luck to new series and stay hungry and nose to grindstone, your foot is on your competitor's neck dont let up and good luck. 

P.S.  We want and demand 40 lap mains!  Give it to us.

CAJ

The promoters have pmg,but some have given pmg live by scheduling one race each this year,pmg is still breathing

Stockton blew it by scheduling kws, civil war,and the new Sprint series on there last night of the season,3 divisions with all the same drivers, pretty much

Actually 2 division I believe. CW will go head to head with the SCCT. I believe pay-out and points will be based on which series you declare at sign in. It was in one of the press releases.