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Lee Beard challenges NHRA to curb costs
- Thread starter Rob
- Start date
yoda
Nitro Member
"I have yet to see a rule change in the last five years that has done anything to lower the cost of racing. Moving to 1,000 feet? That was done for safety. Going to 85-percent nitro? That was meant to slow the cars down. Again, there hasn't been a rule implemented specifically to help race teams operate on less money.- Lee Beard
That's funny- didn't everyone praise 1000' as being the saviour that was going to keep everyone from trashing parts (that were designed for quarter mile racing in the first place..)?
That should have saved money..
Right up until the 998' tuneup got plugged in...
Low attendance races should go on holiday until all is well and good again, but who decides when that will be? And what are the repercussions? Sponsors supposedly look at the schedule, not the calandar, when dishing out the duckets. Less races mean less money on the front end.
Meanwhile, what happens on those 6 weeks off? Do all the employees stay on payroll? Do the trucks roll back to the shop and sit? Do the teams run match races on sub-standard racetracks to make the bill-nut that week?
Maybe if the races that were cut aligned up with the other HRA's tour weekends....
...right.......
That's funny- didn't everyone praise 1000' as being the saviour that was going to keep everyone from trashing parts (that were designed for quarter mile racing in the first place..)?
That should have saved money..Right up until the 998' tuneup got plugged in...
Low attendance races should go on holiday until all is well and good again, but who decides when that will be? And what are the repercussions? Sponsors supposedly look at the schedule, not the calandar, when dishing out the duckets. Less races mean less money on the front end.
Meanwhile, what happens on those 6 weeks off? Do all the employees stay on payroll? Do the trucks roll back to the shop and sit? Do the teams run match races on sub-standard racetracks to make the bill-nut that week?
Maybe if the races that were cut aligned up with the other HRA's tour weekends....
...right.......
none
Nitro Member
Does anyone have any hard numbers on the race attendance figures? I would like to see that information to see what kind of pattern it shows. Is it in the middle of the back to back races.........early in the year......late in the year.........certain parts of the country...........second races at the same tracks???????????? very curious 
clwill
Nitro Member
Wouldn't we all... you would think people shopping sponsorships around would love to have that info from NHRA, but do they?
I think there is some merit to Lee's proposal. I understand his analytical thinking and yes this would have a big and immediate impact on expenditures for the race teams. A quick look down the schedule for next year show's reveal several holes in the schedule that, as of yet, do not have sponsors. That would make it pretty easy to cut those out first I would think, although I would assume there are contracts and standing deals with those tracks and NHRA that would have to be worked out. I do agree with Lee, the deafening silence coming out of Glendora, while not unusual for them, is a little upsetting, but a rash decision can be more detrimental than no decision sometimes.
On the flip side, current sponsor's that have committed funds for a 24 race season are expecting the exposure, viewership #'s and TV broadcasts that they were promised. I realize the current economic climate is tumultious at best and decisions have to be made in the best interest of the NHRA, the racetracks, team owners, sponsors and spectators that will allow for some flexibility and latitude, given the situation.
It all boils down to "the show" and the quality. At the professional level, I don't think it can survive without corporate marketing partners. If the cars don't show up and there are a majority of fields that are not full, then the racing will suffer, the fans will lose interest and the reason the sponsors are involved in the first place will be finding something else to entertain themselves. There are certainly ways to make this a better season than it is shaping up to be.....proactivity, creativity and communication are necessary to make it work.
On the flip side, current sponsor's that have committed funds for a 24 race season are expecting the exposure, viewership #'s and TV broadcasts that they were promised. I realize the current economic climate is tumultious at best and decisions have to be made in the best interest of the NHRA, the racetracks, team owners, sponsors and spectators that will allow for some flexibility and latitude, given the situation.
It all boils down to "the show" and the quality. At the professional level, I don't think it can survive without corporate marketing partners. If the cars don't show up and there are a majority of fields that are not full, then the racing will suffer, the fans will lose interest and the reason the sponsors are involved in the first place will be finding something else to entertain themselves. There are certainly ways to make this a better season than it is shaping up to be.....proactivity, creativity and communication are necessary to make it work.
Hey Don,,,,, long time now Der Wienerschnitzel! Thanks for the props...I lurk on her all the time, but only recently took the time to figure out what my password was etc.... I can give some insight on the workings of the teams etc. I am currently working with Mike Ashley to secure funding for 2010 return to Funny Car. I want to do whatever I can to make sure our form of entertainment and competition stays economically viable til then!!!
NitroIntern
Nitro Member
I have begged NHRA for the numbers, but they ain't talking (especially at the tracks that are NOT NHRA-owned). If they gave those numbers out, they would effectively give some insight into the track owner's pockets.
clwill
Nitro Member
Gipraw
Nitro Member
that amazes me. what other major league sport doesn't release attendance numbers? Golf?
This is, as stated, a short term solution, but until there is a handle on costs, this will always be a problem. Billet Blowers, and other fancy "state of the art" parts need to be put in check to help keep the cost down.
Carbon Fiber this and that, Ti nuts and bolts, unobtainium domahickies.
First place to look is at internal waste of $, be it on staff, equipment, or parts. Then on efficiency of what is purchased, and pricing on these parts.
There are ways to do it. It just won't be easy, or popular. But Lee's suggestion will be a quick temporary fix until a larger, more effective mandate is laid out.
JMHO
Carbon Fiber this and that, Ti nuts and bolts, unobtainium domahickies.
First place to look is at internal waste of $, be it on staff, equipment, or parts. Then on efficiency of what is purchased, and pricing on these parts.
There are ways to do it. It just won't be easy, or popular. But Lee's suggestion will be a quick temporary fix until a larger, more effective mandate is laid out.
JMHO
TAFC 5 81
Nitro Member
I wonder how many people on this forum would believe the numbers if they came from NHRA?
vegasnitro
Nitro Member
I have been a proponent of cutting back to 20 races, but Lee is sticking it out there and saying 18!
I hear what you are saying Martin, but Lee says it costs 100K per car per race. Six less races mean a savings of 600K. You are going to have to pay the team no matter what, but at least the trucks will be parked at the shop and the crews will be sleeping in their own bed eating their own food, instead of in a hotel somewhere eating in restaurants or having a cook for them at the track.
I hear what you are saying Martin, but Lee says it costs 100K per car per race. Six less races mean a savings of 600K. You are going to have to pay the team no matter what, but at least the trucks will be parked at the shop and the crews will be sleeping in their own bed eating their own food, instead of in a hotel somewhere eating in restaurants or having a cook for them at the track.
The Counterfeiter
Nitro Member
Do I have this right . . . Lee wants NHRA to cancel six races where tickets have already been sold and hundreds of sportsman teams have plans to race to save the Matco team $600K? Thousands of fans can barely afford the cost of going to one race a year in their hometown. Do ya think this strategy might pi$$ of thousands of fans who find their one live racing fix a year has evaporated? Doesn't begin to address what would be a financial disaster for the tracks where races were canceled. If Lee wants to cut costs, he needs to join with other crew chiefs and NHRA to develop a new engine profile that doesn't consume thousands of dollars of parts per run - JMHO
Wes
Nitro Member
I wonder if NHRA will be altering the championship format in response to the lack of teams and current economic situation? Maybe an adjustment similar to what the sportsman racers are accustomed to...take your best finishes and only count those events towards the year-end total? What would be fair and effective? Drop a driver's 6-8 worst event totals?
Why not split the existing 24-race schedule into an eastern and western "division" series? Designate 10 races in each region where Pro teams earn points. Then take the Top 8 from each division and run them all together in the final 4 events of the season to determine the overall national championships. A Pro team could attend and compete in events out of their claimed division, they just wouldn't earn any points. This could allow a team to win the championship by competing at a minimum of 14 events. Talk about cutting costs!
First step in cutting costs has GOT to be reducing the required number of runs during and event as well as the duration of said events. Reduce qualifying sessions and cut a day out of the duration the teams are required to be on-site. No-brainer.
And just for the record, if only 12 cars show up there will never be 4 first round bye runs on a 16 car ladder. The ladder generator that is widely accepted in drag racing adjusts the first round pairings to provide a maximum of one bye-run in an odd or short field. For instance, in a 12-car field on a Pro Ladder, #1 would race #12, 2 v 11, 3 v 10, 4 v 9, 5 v 8, and 6 v 7. There would be a bye-run in the Semi's and it would be on the #1 qualifier's side of the ladder. In any ladder system the low qualifier will always have the first chance at a bye-run.
Why not split the existing 24-race schedule into an eastern and western "division" series? Designate 10 races in each region where Pro teams earn points. Then take the Top 8 from each division and run them all together in the final 4 events of the season to determine the overall national championships. A Pro team could attend and compete in events out of their claimed division, they just wouldn't earn any points. This could allow a team to win the championship by competing at a minimum of 14 events. Talk about cutting costs!
First step in cutting costs has GOT to be reducing the required number of runs during and event as well as the duration of said events. Reduce qualifying sessions and cut a day out of the duration the teams are required to be on-site. No-brainer.
And just for the record, if only 12 cars show up there will never be 4 first round bye runs on a 16 car ladder. The ladder generator that is widely accepted in drag racing adjusts the first round pairings to provide a maximum of one bye-run in an odd or short field. For instance, in a 12-car field on a Pro Ladder, #1 would race #12, 2 v 11, 3 v 10, 4 v 9, 5 v 8, and 6 v 7. There would be a bye-run in the Semi's and it would be on the #1 qualifier's side of the ladder. In any ladder system the low qualifier will always have the first chance at a bye-run.
kd
Nitro Member
...Right on Jim and Merry X-mas Bro!!!...where was Lees speech when he had the Matco car driving over its driveline in Vegas...TWICE!...Lee single handedly killed the show in LV....
funnycarguy
Nitro Member
First Lee is the first pro crewchief I have ever heard publicly apologize for hurting the racing surface. Lets give him credit for that.
First, NHRA dragracing is in my blood. Racing is a business whether in Pro or the alcohol ranks. Recently I needed some demographics for a proposal. I could not get them from NHRA. They only give out what they would use for their corporate sponsor pursuits. Had to get them from IHRA. Very very helpful. I really hate some of the constant NHRA bashing that goes on various discussion boards. I do however believe that NHRA needs to listen to guys like Lee. They need to stop hurting their racers because they give exclusive sponsorships. That needs to stop. Competition breeds better competition. Leaving the market open would have really paid off right now ie Monster, Rockstar and Poweraid. This would have put 2 more cars in the field bringing more fans. Let the market flourish and this leads to more fans...more sponsors..more teams...to see the great valued product NHRA has. Seems simple.
Thanks, Dale
First, NHRA dragracing is in my blood. Racing is a business whether in Pro or the alcohol ranks. Recently I needed some demographics for a proposal. I could not get them from NHRA. They only give out what they would use for their corporate sponsor pursuits. Had to get them from IHRA. Very very helpful. I really hate some of the constant NHRA bashing that goes on various discussion boards. I do however believe that NHRA needs to listen to guys like Lee. They need to stop hurting their racers because they give exclusive sponsorships. That needs to stop. Competition breeds better competition. Leaving the market open would have really paid off right now ie Monster, Rockstar and Poweraid. This would have put 2 more cars in the field bringing more fans. Let the market flourish and this leads to more fans...more sponsors..more teams...to see the great valued product NHRA has. Seems simple.
Thanks, Dale
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