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Oberhofer Talks...Yikes!!!
- Thread starter kd
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BaldyLochs
Nitro Member
I knew it was coming. But I am still confident Hillary's dragster will find a marquee sponsor. I'm also VERY glad Doug will still get to drive. That guy lives for 3 things - his family, flying and racing. I think Conrad Kalitta deserves to get some recognition for running his cars as long as he has - basically on his own dime. From his very first Bounty Dragster in the very beginning, to the funny car, to adding Scott's cars after he graduated high school.... all through the 80's under the Kalitta Flying Service name... those 2 cars were at every single national event, win or lose. Then that transferred over to AIA and Kitty Hawk. It wasn't until Doug came over in 1998 that the Kalitta team really entertained the idea of "outside" sponsorship with MGM Grand, then Mac Tools, West Coast Choppers, Zantrex-3/Strivectin-SD and DHL. Even when they brought in Grubnic as a R&D car - it was under Connie's checkbook.
I truly hope this all temporary. ... and it starts with a win next week in Sydney
I truly hope this all temporary. ... and it starts with a win next week in Sydney
I actually think thats a very smart approach with the way the economy is and the stupid coutndown.
Makes sense to sit the west coast swing, save some big time cash. Maybe pickup a match race or two during that spell to still make some money + do some tuning
Ya know I wonder.
He already has the two teams and crews. Back in the day they made more money doing match races. What about sending Hillary and Grubby around as a booked in show. I would think they could cover cost that way, still get data + keep them out there for sponsors to see
He already has the two teams and crews. Back in the day they made more money doing match races. What about sending Hillary and Grubby around as a booked in show. I would think they could cover cost that way, still get data + keep them out there for sponsors to see
vegasnitro
Nitro Member
Worked out OK for Dave Connolly this past season, didn't it? Missed the first 5 races and charged right into the Countdown.
It will be even EASIER for Top Fuel ... assuming 10 full time teams, it will only take 5 or 6 round wins to make the Countdown. Sit out the first few races and let all the part-timers burn through their parts, show up at the 5th or 6th race and make a final round or two, then sit out the west coast swing, then pick the tour back up at Brainerd and run the rest of the year (assuming you are in the Countdown). That way you are running 15 or 16 of the 24 races, saving a bunch of money and still getting all the Countdown Glory/PR. PLUS, in the Kalittas case, Doug will still be running the full tour, so there will be plenty of tuning data for the other 2 cars should they make it back out at any point.
Terry
Nitro Member
Interesting theory...and it makes sense, and PJ is right, the countdown will not only allow it to happen it will encourage it--run as little as possible to get into the countdown and then go for it--and the talk of match races coming back sure would be great for those of us in the part of the country that has several drag strips but no National events--I think some Fuel match races would be really big draws around here, assumng proper promotion.
I, for one would love to see Hillary and Dave do the match race deal. Im not sure how much money they would need to make it worthwhile but I think they could put a lot of people in the stands for a good show. There would be no reason to run them on kill so parts attrition should be kept to a mimimum. I know I would gladly pay 25 bucks to see a best of three match race on a weeknight. Great idea P.J. Now all you need to do is convince Connie!
yoda
Nitro Member
I don't know what the current standard is on match race payouts (guarantees) PJ, but I truly doubt that at the end of the week the over-the-road expenses and operating costs could be covered for a Grade A team or two by local race tracks (that are of suspect safety standards...)
The current sponsors will have too accept a fewer race same money deal to make it work. I don't think you can just divide the sponsors $$$ by 24 races then multiply that by the number of races you are actually going to run ... Most "Pro" teams are not going to take a 4.00+ car and run the wheels off of it just to race on Sunday.
mike
Nitro Member
That sucks big time!! I'm still hoping Grubnic and Hillary will find deals. All 4 Kalitta cars are a must at any race meeting. But in these tough times, reality is it will be hard. All the best to the teams, and some of the people on here copping blows from this economic collapse. My thoughts are with you.
I, for one would love to see Hillary and Dave do the match race deal. Im not sure how much money they would need to make it worthwhile but I think they could put a lot of people in the stands for a good show. There would be no reason to run them on kill so parts attrition should be kept to a mimimum. I know I would gladly pay 25 bucks to see a best of three match race on a weeknight. Great idea P.J. Now all you need to do is convince Connie!
I don't know how much it would cost to run teams or how much the track could make. but if only 2 teams are splitting the gate I would think it could be profitable. Between nhra tracks, both national and divisional level tracks with better standars plus IHRA tracks I would think they could easliy put together a decent go of it
Nitrohelper
Nitro Member
Current match race numbers for big show cars average between $10,000 & $12,500 per run.
With 7,500 paid spectators @ $20 for a Saturday night grosses a gate of $150,000.
If a Track books 4 cars for two runs each, (8 nitro runs) with a couple of jets, and wheel standers they've got a hundred grand committed.
Now if only 5000 people show-up the track crapped out.
If they book six "Classic" F/C's for three rounds each (18 runs) @ $1250/run ,that's under $25,000 for a show.
Now if only 3000 people show-up it's still a good night.
MM
Nitro Member
to add on to what the nitro guru (is that better than old fart
) has said, Tony Schumacher got $35,000 to go to the World Series a couple years ago and Force will usually walk out of Norwalk with around $100,000 (minus expenses of course) in his pocket on the Night of Fire
yoda
Nitro Member
to add on to what the nitro guru (is that better than old fart
If the point is to keep the cars on the track, I'm sure the guarentee will be much smaller... And I can't remember the last time ANY track let the racers take the WHOLE gate, no matter how big the name PJ...
The fact is, without sponsor money or deep pockets, it's pretty impossible to run this stuff regularly...
According to Firebird Raceways Mr Allen...JFR will bring two cars for an open weekend to match race for $30,000....and the rights to sell t-shirts/etc...
And...he said JFR is not the most expensive team out there for match racing..
He made it sound like the Pedregons command more....and got it this past year..
And...he said JFR is not the most expensive team out there for match racing..
He made it sound like the Pedregons command more....and got it this past year..
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