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Recession going to affect how often you race next year?
#171441
12/20/08 02:20 PM
12/20/08 02:20 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,301
Penna
70satelliteguy
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,301
Penna
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I am just refreshing my motor for next season and with all of problems in NHRA with sponsors pulling the plug it got me thinking if it would affect the local racing scene at all? I don't have a sponsor because we basically just race on fridays in street legal events for fun. My job is also stable(Public health related) so I am not too worried about being able to afford it but there are a lot of layoffs in other areas that kinda worry me.  Are any of you guy's going to be forced to cut back!!! Mike
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next year?
[Re: 70satelliteguy]
#171443
12/20/08 02:39 PM
12/20/08 02:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,876
Weddington, N.C.
Streetwize
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,876
Weddington, N.C.
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I hope to actually do more racing, my time is freed up but with a stock block 360 it'll be a real low buck , low maintenance high fun factor car....I can't see how guys dump more and more into cars every year when the fields are tightening and purses potentially dropping. For every guy laid-off this year there are probably 10 people who make good salaries but are either tightening their belts (prioritzing on essentials and "putting up nuts for winter" or they are justifyably worried about the next shoe to drop. The real 800 pound gorilla in the economy is that "fact of Business" there are way too high a percentage of people in the USA employed in non-essential goods and service industries (compared to generations past). Many more jobs are more vulnerable than people realize.  If it effects racing i think what will happen is you will see people moving to more basic, less exotic combos that they can get al ot more laps out of with less maintenence.....many of the high end exotic "must have" parts are already turning up in droves on the used parts lists....A lot of these guys are in peak earning years and more and more are thinking about retiring in the not too distant future...and the younger guys financing everything on credit cards are getting pinched too....now most of these guys won't get out of racing but they might settle for say a reliable low maintenence 10.90 car instead of trying to throw $$$ after $$$$ trying to go 9.90 or 10 flat....when you're bracket racing there's really not much more payback going faster past a certain point and if you factor in the costs and the hit you take trying to sell the high end stuff the exrtra cost doesn't justify the extra outlay to many people...the hobby gets a little more fun but A LOT MORE EXPENSIVE...at least that's what it looks like to me to me. There's a lot of scary stuff going on....of course you know there is still a RISING WORLD Demand for Petroleum.....did you know that companies like Royal dutch are BUILDING STORAGE FACILIES to stockpile as much of this 32/barrel oil as they can???? Think about that amoment...what does that tell you? Even with the recession demand continues to go up based on population growth alone.....the PERFECT STORM is when all the stimulus eventually takes hold tro drive the economy forward and then gas prices inevitably SPIKE again.....buy oil stocks while thety are out of favor....even with trillions of dollars of stimulus it will take at least 8-10 years before alternative fuel technologies would make a significant dent in the rising Fossil fuel demand. 
Last edited by Streetwize; 12/20/08 02:42 PM.
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Post deleted by Defbob
[Re: Streetwize]
#171444
12/20/08 02:48 PM
12/20/08 02:48 PM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next year?
#171445
12/20/08 03:01 PM
12/20/08 03:01 PM
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:
spending the kids inheritance NOW
 
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next year?
[Re: Al_Alguire]
#171448
12/20/08 03:21 PM
12/20/08 03:21 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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I dont know yet but if the auto companies go under and my retirement gets cut you can believe my racing will also(if I even keep it)but time will tell, hopefully this economy turns up fairly quick. The 2 big factors for me to race are fuel to get to and from the track(diesel) and entry fees, the car is cheap to run and I bring my food and stay in my trailer 
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next y
[Re: 70satelliteguy]
#171453
12/20/08 05:13 PM
12/20/08 05:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,928
NC
440Jim
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,928
NC
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I cut way back in 2008, for a couple unrelated reasons. One reason was the high cost of fuel, so hopefully that will be half what it was in 2008. Remember unleaded regular at almost $4/gallon? At least burning E85 in the race car was a lot cheaper than the $8.50/gallon that race gas was selling for. I was also spending money finishing the basement in my house, so racing cash was hard to come by. That cost is behind me, so that will help. In 2008 I went to the track 15 times. I don't see myself going to the track 25 times like in 2007, maybe the same as 2008.
It isn't just the cost of fuel for the tow vehicle and the race car. Normal driving to work, shopping, etc was burning up lots of dollars in 2008.
At the local track in 2008, the bracket racing on Sat night had significantly less cars than 2007; and I don't expect anymore in 2009.
For example, in the Modified (footbrake) class, in 2006 there were 63 cars registered for points, in 2007 51 cars, in 2008 it was only 34.
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next y
[Re: 440Jim]
#171454
12/20/08 07:21 PM
12/20/08 07:21 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,030
The Grand State of Confusion-O...
SKR8PN
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,030
The Grand State of Confusion-O...
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Even "IF" I get the new engine in the Daytona, I still may not make it to the track at all. I may just bust around on the street a few times and hit a few local shows. We shall see what the new year brings........
Karma has no menu. You get served what you deserve.
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next y
[Re: SKR8PN]
#171455
12/20/08 07:33 PM
12/20/08 07:33 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 850
Georgetown, TX
sc4579
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 850
Georgetown, TX
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Don't plan on making many races. Maybe a couple big money bracket races and a mopar event. I have tossed around the idea of selling it all, still might.
2023 Challenger Scat Pack 1320
2016 Jeep Renegade
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next y
[Re: sc4579]
#171456
12/20/08 07:42 PM
12/20/08 07:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,192
Park Forest, IL
slantzilla
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,192
Park Forest, IL
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I only made it to the track 3 times last year because I was working so much. So far my job looks fairly secure for next year, I'm hoping to not be working quite so much overtime. I'm hoping the new car will be done. I really don't have to spend too much money on it so that part is good.  I am looking for a house. If I get one bought that will be the biggest factor in how much I race. I'm trying to find one that I can own without being a slave to it. 
"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next y
[Re: sc4579]
#171457
12/20/08 07:43 PM
12/20/08 07:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,314
The Swamp
MegaDart
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,314
The Swamp
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I may race a little more. Plan on running IHRA and NHRA divisional S/Gas races we have a ton of them in the spring. Then if I have enough grade points I hope to run Englishtown Nats and possibly Epping next summer. Lots of regular bracket racing when I feel like it and quick32 once a month. As well as the big bucks racing here in Fl. No doubt the recession has hindered my racing. For the most part I don't travel out of Fl except once or twice a year. And if the weather looks iffy on raceday I stay home can't afford to spend $200 in fuel for a raincheck..
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next y
[Re: MegaDart]
#171458
12/20/08 08:02 PM
12/20/08 08:02 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,528
Mansfield, Tx
Jacob Pitt
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,528
Mansfield, Tx
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Probably racing more. Two cars in three classes now that two classes I can run in for free because of my gold cards. As long as I have a job and I can win enough to help pay for it all I'll keep doing it. Besides what else am I going to do?
2013 NHRA D4 Stock Champ
#4 in the World IHRA Stock
2x IHRA Div.4 Stock Champ
14x Track Champ
All using a Ultimate Converter Concepts converter. Call Lenny today 704-892-6837
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next y
[Re: Jacob Pitt]
#171459
12/20/08 08:14 PM
12/20/08 08:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,421
Balt. Md
383man
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,421
Balt. Md
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I am not no regular racer but I like to drive my 63 to the track a few times a year and race it. I am glad its a driver as if it gets to bad I will still drive it some but may not make it to the track. Even driving it to the track cost me about $75. dollars between gas , food and gate fee. I have been hurt already as a Dealer tech as they cut my pay by taking my bonus away so I hope it dont get to much tuffer as I am looking to get out of the shop anyway. Ron
Last edited by 383man; 12/20/08 08:14 PM.
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next y
[Re: Jacob Pitt]
#171460
12/20/08 08:23 PM
12/20/08 08:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,988
new jersey usa
11secdart
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,988
new jersey usa
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Car counts were down at my local track last year and I see more of the same for 09, I could be wrong. I slowed my car down to run in Street Eliminator points last year and had fun doing it and qualified for the Bracket Finals, I am doing the same next season financialy it helps a little . entry fee is cheaper and only shifting at 6500 saves parts. Although I got laid off a month ago I will race next year what ever it takes. I did some snow plowing last night ( its only December so theres more to come )I have some parts sold, and I have some work lined up on a friends Mustang so that will put some $$$ in the race account. I am probably not traveling to any out of state events though.
Last edited by 11secdart; 12/20/08 08:35 PM.
68 Dart 410 / 904
92 D150 original owner
21 Ram 1500 Quad Cab, Big Horn , Hemi ,4x4
23 Audi Q5
16 Honda HRV
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next y
[Re: Jacob Pitt]
#171461
12/20/08 08:29 PM
12/20/08 08:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,247
Mt. Vernon, Ohio
dartman366
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,247
Mt. Vernon, Ohio
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last year wasn't so much money as it was new a job and concentrating on getting thru my probationary period, got thru that then got hurt at work and was off 10 week's,,and I made it thru that, now I started another new job on Dec 8th back with the company that I took a severance package from and it look's as tho I will be able to race a little more since I work a lot closer to home, want to make most of the CC Event's and do a little more at Pacemaker's right here at home, not doing very much to the car this winter so I can save up some entry and fuel money this winter.
Light travels faster than the speed of sound,,,this is why some people seem bright untill you hear them speak.
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next y
[Re: Bigbeep]
#171466
12/21/08 10:54 AM
12/21/08 10:54 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,918
Akron, Ohio
ProSport
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,918
Akron, Ohio
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I usually plan several races each year, this year I'm only planning on hitting the Norwalk Chrysler classic in September. Anything that happens before that is cool but I'm not gonna stress out over trying to afford to hit every big race. I'm also done with constantly spending to go faster, I just want to get my car back together and enjoy it, have it sitting in the garage ready for anything like the DartSport always was.
If I'd known money was gonna get so tight these days I probably would have never sold the DartSport or upgraded the motor in the Dart. But hopefully it will be worth it!
1970 Challenger, all aluminum 528 Hemi, HDK suspension, Tremec 5 speed manual
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next y
[Re: ProSport]
#171467
12/21/08 12:07 PM
12/21/08 12:07 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,763
Walton's Mountain, Pa
Steve1118
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,763
Walton's Mountain, Pa
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I'll probably run a bit more.....my kids are grown and I have more time and disposable income than I have had for a lot of years, for that reason alone. I am also in better health than I have been for a long, long, time. At this station in life, though, I don't have the fortitude to pound it every week. I'll hit a couple of the CC events, the Nostalgia races at Beaver Springs, and some other special events. When the mood strikes me, I'll run the weekly show at PRP. My youngest son will run the points at PRP, as well as Ronnie McClelland's youngest son. I look for Kyle to run his red 64 maxie a bit more this year, too. About the "economy", I just don't know. I honestly don't think that things are as bad as the media portrays it. I think they have folks scared to death, and sometimes I think they want it to be bad. I'm not saying that it is good, it is obviously not, but I really think I have seen things worse. When a guy gets crushed to death at Wal Mart in a rush for a plasma TV, one wonders if we aren't being played for suckers just a bit.
"Old age and treachery trumps youth and enthusiasm, every time!" East Central Director / Chrysler Power Magazine www.reasbeckracing.webs.com
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next y
[Re: Steve1118]
#171468
12/21/08 12:41 PM
12/21/08 12:41 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 636
Central,Ohio
FASTFISH420
mopar
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mopar
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 636
Central,Ohio
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I did not race abit in 08.had some engine issues and decided to dump the whole thing and start from scratch with a new motor.I am also in the auto industry(AKA dealership tech)We are not selling any cars but our service work is up I plan on running some of Milans all/motor class this year, would like to be in the points program there,but the track is a 3 hour drive from my house,and it is hard to get off on Friday and take off sometimes. I would also like to see the diesel fuel come down abit,to help with the tow bill 
1969 Barracuda 8 second all/motor small block
2014 Shelby GT500 Mustang
Uratchko Racing Engines
www.URE-RACING.com
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next y
[Re: Irun5snd8th]
#171470
12/21/08 01:13 PM
12/21/08 01:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,266
Renton Washington
Triple Threat
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,266
Renton Washington
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My set up is pretty much low budget to begin with, Drive the car to the track, no need for truck or trailer. So I wasn't affected by the recession or high gas prices this year.I still raced as much as I could, and even with 4 or 5 of our races getting rained out I still got exactly 100 passes in.
With gas prices lower, and likely to stay there through the summer, I plan on racing every chance I get.
I graduate from college here after summer quarter, so I will be looking for a career and don't know if said career is going to give me weekends and the time off I would like to race, so might as well have fun while I know I can.
-Dustin
67 Dart, 9 second, 392" G3 Hemi
68 Barracuda 340 F/SA
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next year?
[Re: dustergirl340]
#171476
12/21/08 03:05 PM
12/21/08 03:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,826
las vegas
70AARcuda
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,826
las vegas
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i am only 8 miles from the LVMS, so towing is no problems.
we raced only one car last year due to engine problems with my barracuda, everything is fixed and ready to go.
even have some spare short blocks now.
my oldest daughter drives the 71 dart...and i am working on something for my youngest daughter to start racing later next year.
so we are probably stepping up our effort....
Tony
70 AARCuda Vitamin C
71 Dart Swinger 360 10.318 @ 128.22(10-04-14 Bakersfield)
71 Demon 360 10.666 @122.41 (01-29-17 @ Las Vegas)
71 Duster 408 (10.29 @ 127.86 3/16/19 Las Vegas)
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next year?
[Re: 70AARcuda]
#171477
12/22/08 11:11 AM
12/22/08 11:11 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,413
Newark,Ohio
kissmyaspen
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,413
Newark,Ohio
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last year i only went out a couple times, just because thats all i felt like and then the new job stopped me from going too.. but with one track 10 miles and the other 20 miles i know i wonna do more racing this year.. i missed not seeing everyone at the track.. its like going to a family reunion with peole u like lol
79 Dodge Aspen
12.265 at 109.75 MPH
67 Satellite NSS/E
11.83 @ 110
1968 Plymouth Road Runner 472 Hemi
3 time MOPAR NATIONALS CHAMP '03 FWD and '06 & '09 Street.
'07, '10, '12 Mopar Nats runner-up Street.
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next y
[Re: Streetwize]
#171480
12/22/08 11:44 AM
12/22/08 11:44 AM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,776
Ontario Canada
MattW
master
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master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,776
Ontario Canada
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Quote:
I hope to actually do more racing, my time is freed up but with a stock block 360 it'll be a real low buck , low maintenance high fun factor car....I can't see how guys dump more and more into cars every year when the fields are tightening and purses potentially dropping.
For every guy laid-off this year there are probably 10 people who make good salaries but are either tightening their belts (prioritzing on essentials and "putting up nuts for winter" or they are justifyably worried about the next shoe to drop. The real 800 pound gorilla in the economy is that "fact of Business" there are way too high a percentage of people in the USA employed in non-essential goods and service industries (compared to generations past). Many more jobs are more vulnerable than people realize.
If it effects racing i think what will happen is you will see people moving to more basic, less exotic combos that they can get al ot more laps out of with less maintenence.....many of the high end exotic "must have" parts are already turning up in droves on the used parts lists....A lot of these guys are in peak earning years and more and more are thinking about retiring in the not too distant future...and the younger guys financing everything on credit cards are getting pinched too....now most of these guys won't get out of racing but they might settle for say a reliable low maintenence 10.90 car instead of trying to throw $$$ after $$$$ trying to go 9.90 or 10 flat....when you're bracket racing there's really not much more payback going faster past a certain point and if you factor in the costs and the hit you take trying to sell the high end stuff the exrtra cost doesn't justify the extra outlay to many people...the hobby gets a little more fun but A LOT MORE EXPENSIVE...at least that's what it looks like to me to me.
There's a lot of scary stuff going on....of course you know there is still a RISING WORLD Demand for Petroleum.....did you know that companies like Royal dutch are BUILDING STORAGE FACILIES to stockpile as much of this 32/barrel oil as they can???? Think about that amoment...what does that tell you? Even with the recession demand continues to go up based on population growth alone.....the PERFECT STORM is when all the stimulus eventually takes hold tro drive the economy forward and then gas prices inevitably SPIKE again.....buy oil stocks while thety are out of favor....even with trillions of dollars of stimulus it will take at least 8-10 years before alternative fuel technologies would make a significant dent in the rising Fossil fuel demand.
For those who think that the economy will get better in the next few years, Your dreaming! I HOPE I am wrong but there are two more so called sub prime mortages failures coming. I think stuff is going to tank after New Years. Matt
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Re: Recession going to affect how often you race next year?
[Re: 70satelliteguy]
#171482
12/22/08 02:57 PM
12/22/08 02:57 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 408
Nelsonville , Ohio
Duster3105
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 408
Nelsonville , Ohio
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Well, we have a big Pow-Wow Jan. 14th, they have been cutting some of the fat in LA & Chicago, I don't think I'll get cut But, ya never know. Otherwise, new engine is at the machine shop, all parts are paid for. Will probably run a lot more local races at NTR as well as still hitting all of the CC events. Wish everybody the best in 2009  . Rick....
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on this new car every chance I get 
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