What does street outlaws have to do w/ 1/8 mile drag racing?
Like I said earlier, 1/8 mile racing has always been big down south and the 1/8 mile headsup stuff was big way before the show came on TV...and they aren't even small tire racers.

Ya we were real "street Outlaws in the 70's. LOL



Me at Nu-Be 001 by John Cadamore, on Flickr

As far back the '80s, the local street race scene had people that raced 1/8 and people that raced 1/4, mostly because of what their local tracks ran. The guys from Manassas and Sumerduck (both 1/8 mile) would occasionally come over to Maryland (all 1/4 mile) and half the argument during the negotiations was what length race to run. The 1/8-mile guys complained their stuff would run out of gear in the 1/4, and the 1/4 guys would complain their "junk" wouldn't show its stuff on a "short track".

Everyone says 1/8 is what all the big money tracks run but I don't see NHRA or IHRA national events running 1/8 mile ? Ron

All the big $ events are 1/8 mile because that's what the people want. The group who prefers 1/4 is getting smaller by the season. With costs where they are, 1/8 is preferred for equipment life and getting large car counts through 8+ rounders.

National events will likely be the last to concede...but more people big $ bracket race than go class racing.

When was the last time NHRA paid $50,000-$100,000 for the winner of a race?
That's what the radial 1/8 mile races pay.

Almost weekly bracket races on the east coast in the 20,000.00 range. How much does pro stock pay now and how much does a competitive car cost.

I use to hate 1/8 mile, now I go with flow. I actually like it when they change to 1/8 mile mid race due to track conditions, half the guys are already done, they hate it so much that they give the races away.

It kind of goes with the saying " I"m not here to win, just to hangout with my friends, then once they win a race or two that changes and they are there to WIN! lol

Me, I just want to be lucky.......

Who pays that much to a single winner ? Ron

http://sfgpromotions.com

Pretty much every one of their races is $50k a day...in 2019 they offer one with a gaurenteed purse of $500k. Bracket racing, not radial specific.

Pretty much anything above a regular points day type event is 1/8 mile only. Only time I really ever do 1/4s is in NSS classes.

thia is getting to be like the pinion angle thread every 6 months. I started racing almost 40 years ago and the 2 closest tracks were 1/8 mile, so I don't know how long ago everyone keeps talking about that it was all 1/4 mile. both those tracks were open way before I started racing

They really pay the winner 50k ?? What do they charge to get in the race ? I know I am only small time but I have only been around NSS races the last 10 years and see winner payouts from $250 up to about $650 in the ones I have raced in or watched. Course the NSS races run from about $60 dollars to about $175 to enter that I have seen. Ron


I do understand fast power adder race cars cost a ton of money to build also.

Most of those races are $650+ per entry for the three day weekend. I think the $500k is $1350 for the single event. Buy backs in the $500 range I believe.

And open the link and look at those entry fees - and then tell me you could go to race every week!!!! Yea right - not exactly what the weekly or bi weekly racer can afford.

What's the old saying, if you want to dance you have to pay the fiddler. You can't expect to race for $500,000 and only pay a $250 entry fee.

I understand that but everyone keeps bringing up the BIG $$$$ races and I would like to know how many of these guys posting here go to these races weekly or bi weekly? I'm sure the guys with deep pockets go often but NOT the guy that wants to race once or twice a month. So yea what I'm saying is like mentioned before it's a fad and when the $$$$ dry up it will be gone.

If the $$$$$ dry up won't all racing be gone? If something were to happen and I had a serious life changing event there would be no racing for me. I think most of up play where or pocket books will allow us to. Mine won't allow me to play in their game, or any of the high level races. Thats why my rig was built to drive too, I can enjoy it without going to the track. You get in where you fit in.

This type of racing has been going on for at least 9 years, at least the no mercy event has.
Stands are at max capacity.
SPECTATORS are what makes the track money, NOT racers.
How packed are the stands when you race?
Do they have to turn people away at the gate, because the track is at max capacity?
There is no shortage of money coming in, therefore there’s no shortage going back out.

Race one event and win $50,000-100,000 ( plus side bets). How many events would you need to win where the payout is $500-1,000?

These events aren’t for the casual racer. These are guys that own shops. Most events the track is open by Tuesday and qualifying is wed/Thursday/Friday. 5-6 classes, with 32 cars each. THAT is where the money comes from.

There's usually ATLEAST one small tire 1/8 mile shootout every weekend at one of the MANY tracks within 3 hours drive of my house paying $2k or better to the winner w/ entry fees from $50 on up.
So yeah, the big money races are expensive and out of reach for most guys to do very often, but there are plenty of smaller races paying more than what most of you guys are used to happening all the time to keep em busy.