[wh33lman]

I thought I saw an interview where Daddy Dave said he was going back to strickly Street. Guess he would have to be crazy to turn down that kind of $$.
It is great to be seeing the Outlaws living the American dream. What a change from the first season!
I do like watching the first season, where they were just a bunch of guys working all day and wrenching all night. Fame and fortune has distanced themselves from the average car guy, and I bet there are times when some would just like to go back to the old anonimity. But it has been a great boost to the industry.

[Tom Vaught]

In the 60s, the tracks would bring in Don Garlits or Don Nicholson to draw in the crowds.
70s would be other famous drag racers, Shirley Muldowney, Connie Kalitta, etc.

No different today except that people would not ask (or tell) what the people were paid to appear. Some would sell T-Shirts on the side.

"Game" has not changed or the relative $$$ to Show. Old Days, a good track might give the top dog a $3,000 car to appear. Today a decent car/SUV is $50K plus.

Money value changed, but perks basically stayed the same for good performers.

Tom V.

[ta man]

Originally Posted by wh33lman

I thought I saw an interview where Daddy Dave said he was going back to strickly Street. Guess he would have to be crazy to turn down that kind of $$.
It is great to be seeing the Outlaws living the American dream. What a change from the first season!
I do like watching the first season, where they were just a bunch of guys working all day and wrenching all night. Fame and fortune has distanced themselves from the average car guy, and I bet there are times when some would just like to go back to the old anonimity. But it has been a great boost to the industry.

Or like they were on Pinks..banding together as a group to race another car. That's cool old stuff to watch..and look who drove every time!

[Dragncar]

At our track of bunch of us are pi$$ed of because of the 3,000 $ the track paid for some jet car to show up and make 3 passes. After you have seen one once do a exhibition run, been there done that. Kind of neat and all. But it did not bring in any more spectators. Super Pro and Pro drivers dont get a whole lot of money. 300 some on dollars for a win. We want to get it up to 500+ for a win, not just for us, but also to bring in cars from out of the area. Few want to tow 5-6 hours only to get win chump change.
The money paid to the jet car is enough to bring up the purse in the 2 top classes, or at least help.
Out track can use serious promotion. We have a NHRA track, new surface right on the water and there are folks around here who do not even know we have a drag strip.
It looks like there is going to be a takeover at Samoa Drag Strip. No reason it can not be managed better, more crowds, advertise. Heads up grudge racing would help. A member is trying to get me into looking into bringing it here. With Sac closing they need another place to run.
As described to me its 1/8th mile, heads up and the ET boards do not show both ETs. But the driver gets the ET of his own car only. 5,000$ purses. Cars need to be 5 second ish , sounds like fun. But track prep is critical, needs to be sprayed before each time the class runs.
Our track used to draw much bigger crowds, Better payouts. Used to pay all the way down to 6th place.

[Scott Roberts]

Originally Posted by Dragncar

At our track of bunch of us are pi$$ed of because of the 3,000 $ the track paid for some jet car to show up and make 3 passes. After you have seen one once do a exhibition run, been there done that. Kind of neat and all. But it did not bring in any more spectators. Super Pro and Pro drivers dont get a whole lot of money. 300 some on dollars for a win. We want to get it up to 500+ for a win, not just for us, but also to bring in cars from out of the area. Few want to tow 5-6 hours only to get win chump change.
The money paid to the jet car is enough to bring up the purse in the 2 top classes, or at least help.
Out track can use serious promotion. We have a NHRA track, new surface right on the water and there are folks around here who do not even know we have a drag strip.
It looks like there is going to be a takeover at Samoa Drag Strip. No reason it can not be managed better, more crowds, advertise. Heads up grudge racing would help. A member is trying to get me into looking into bringing it here. With Sac closing they need another place to run.
As described to me its 1/8th mile, heads up and the ET boards do not show both ETs. But the driver gets the ET of his own car only. 5,000$ purses. Cars need to be 5 second ish , sounds like fun. But track prep is critical, needs to be sprayed before each time the class runs.
Our track used to draw much bigger crowds, Better payouts. Used to pay all the way down to 6th place.

Make it an outlaw track with lots of big money grudge racers and it will be packed...there is a track in n.c that is wild! Cars show up with 100k engines and 20k chassis.. Lol no tech at all. Its packed and they race late night..been there at 2am and raced..

[Dragncar]

Interesting idea, but its a long haul up here. Not like the east coast. Its the most isolated part of the continental United States. Last area "discovered" by whites.
Since it is owned by the city of Eureka and has a FFA emergency/hobbyist airstrip next door we can not put up the poles to light it.
Could it be a NHRA track AND do the outlaw stuff ?

[Bnick166]

Bummer....Lutz Crashed the '57...
http://www.dragzine.com/news/video-j...utlaws-filming

[Tom Vaught]

Glad he was out of the car inspecting the damage vs being "removed" from the car in bad shape (which could have happened).
Dave had a nice pass going, Lutz was never really in it.

Tom V.