I think you always have to try and look things through the promoters eyes in terms of changes they make because if the fans are not interested and are not paying to see it how do you make money?
Jim Hill
www.nostalgicracingdecals.com
I don't claim to be an expert, and there's a lot I don't know but I think the answer to that question depends on whether you're talking about a National Event or a local track. It's apples & oranges.
I would say that roughly 75% - 80% of the events at our local track are all but barren in terms of pure spectators (meaning, folks who show up just to watch and have no affiliation with any of the teams). Sure, there are a few folks in the stands, but certainly not enough to pay the bills. So if we're talking about a local track most of the money is made by selling tech cards. More cars = more money. As a result the promoter must make it worth a racer's time and effort to show up. All, or a large portion of the promotion is, or should be directed at the racers themselves. On top of that, many offer first (and sometimes second) round re-entry (at the price of half an entry fee per) for each class. For example, if you have 80 cars in a class at $40 per tech card ($3,200.00) and then if even just half of the first round losers decide they want to re-enter, that's $20 x 20, equaling another $400.00. That's just one class - you'd have to multiply that data by the number of classes, obviously. And all of this is before you consider income from track sponsors, the sale of racing fuel, regulars who rent specific parking spots for the season, etc. Of course, they've still gotta pay employees, pay for the lights, maintenance, track necessities, etc.
A National Event is a whole different ball of twine that is much more complicated to unravel.
Getting back to the original topic - I'm of the opinion that the racers need the track as much as the track needs the racers. As a result, they should be working together to make each event as user friendly to both parties as physically possible. It's impossible to please everyone, but given their need for each other, some degree of honest, open communication would be beneficial to all.
