Shell shock – how did we get here?
Xcel Modified drivers when asked in the end of the year survey all agreed that one of the top three reasons for being in this class is cost savings over other classes.
There is a lot at stake for all of the participants – not just the race driver.
- For the teams
- The cost of towing to and from the events
- Entry to the pits for driver and crew
- Repairing damage
- Replacing worn out tires
- For the track and series promotors
- Justifying the endless responsibilities, phone calls and millions of details
- Managing the weather contigencies
- Proper track prep, and having the program run smoothly
- The unenviable task of pleasing everyone
Full disclosure: Going to weigh in heavily on the side of the tracks and promotors for this one.
Stopped at the pit of the Baer Xcel Modified to help with a registration question and was offered a quick update on the upcoming Bloomsburg race.
Just some information to get out in front of the changes for this race.
After posting start times for the race at Bloomsburg, I tacked on that the fee structure was going to be a tad different this go. Instead of each person paying more for entry to the gate, there is going to be an addition registration fee of $20 for the car (typically $20 – now $40).
No offense was taken, but a few chimed in about the fee and commented various points.
I responded with some clarification and felt all of the comments were satisfied.
The phone rang and it was in response to that post.
It wasn’t bad, it was just a conversation to add additional context.
Last year there was a fee for our division that had an extra $10 per entry to the gate.
This year they changed it. $20 per person for all divisions at the gate and $40 at the Xcel trailer for car registration (typically $20).
This was a 2-part decision. Mainly now the gate collection folks only have one tier to manage and that avoids confusion all around. Secondly, if you do the math, it is actually LESS than last year for a team to get in.
Last week, we had roughly 102 people in the gate. Divide that by the cars and again you have to realize that is actually a better equation.
Then ask yourself what the purse payout is and who pays for the purse. When the day is over how much money is left to offset the cost and make a profit. Let me save you the trouble – by most accounts – not enough.
Promoting racing is like all of racing you do it because you love the sport. There are a lot of easier things to do to make money.
In the coming weeks we will be racing at BAPS, Lincoln and other venues. I learned that each track has independent requirements and whoever is hosting races (if it isn’t the track themselves) has to agree to a fee structure for the event.
Depending on how many participants, what you are required to provide for staff needs, track prep, lighting and other factors like emergency teams. I learned that the costs vary quite a bit more from track to track.
Imagine for a moment that all of that effort is going toward a race that as this was written has a 70% chance of rain in the forecast.
To stop and ponder all the logistics that go into running the event, hosting a tour series and at the end of it all raising some money for your efforts you can imagine what it would be like to be that person(s) who has taken on the task of hosting.
My personal takeaway is that if an appetizer that was $6 is now $14 for the same thing..
I have often said: “I won’t complain about the cost of a meal if it is good.”
Well, now that we have to regularly spend upwards of a $100 for the two of us to eat, I stopped saying that.
Reality is a bitch.
If you go to the movie theater with the meal it cost roughly the same as pit entry now a days. I would much rather pay to enter a race track.
$45 the other night was a discussion we all had as we drove to the pit spot, but what a nice track they gave us to race on.
Our car was in the top 5 and broke six laps in. It was still worth it to see all of you again and be a part of the Xcel community.
