Re: Tough Times Coming??
[Re: Racebuddy]
#968923
04/10/11 12:51 PM
04/10/11 12:51 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,029 new jersey usa
11secdart
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,029
new jersey usa
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I`ll admit I was a little skeptical of the new track mgmt at my home track but one good dead by him changed my opinion. Yesterday I was running my time shots before eliminations and I noticed I was spinning the tires, the manager came up to my pit and told me I was leaking brake fluid, He looked under the car while I pumped the brakes, no leak. I noticed that my k frame had a lot of oil on it , it turns out the front pan gasket uder the timing case cover is leaking pretty bad. I decided to race my truck to at least get the 100 first round showup points. My class had already made their 2 time shots and I made mine. I asked him if I could make a time shot in my truck , he said sure, go ahead, as I approached the end of the lane to make my shot the kid running the lanes comes up and says " John ( asst track manager ) says if you need another time shot just come right up after this run". They didn`t have to do that, I appreciatte it alot and it reminds me of why I`ve raced there for so long. Its nice to know that after racing there so long they recognize me and cut me a break on the rare occasion I might need it. I did notice that car counts are lower especialy in Super/Pro but then again its early in the season and I`m sure the economy has hurt a few racers.
Last edited by 11secdart; 04/10/11 07:03 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: Tough Times Coming??
[Re: 11secdart]
#968924
04/10/11 01:29 PM
04/10/11 01:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 501 Port Mcneill,B.C.Canada
Islandcuda
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 501
Port Mcneill,B.C.Canada
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I will not be racing as much, we have a 600 dollar fery bill there and back, 6 hour drive and the need for speed has changed things also, as I may dip into the 9,s, cage cert, liscensing etc. Never mind the nhra rip off of new belts, trans sheild etc. It all adds up, plus it does cut into fishing times. I have never gone to the track for the money and never will. thank christ we have an 1/8 mile going on at our local airport 3 times a year and 10 minute drive. I am going to put everything I have into this to keep it going and fun for all, Tim
67 cuda new best 1.395 60 10.240 at 128.58mph
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Re: Tough Times Coming??
[Re: 493_DART]
#968925
04/10/11 01:43 PM
04/10/11 01:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,998 Anoka County, MN
Leigh
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,998
Anoka County, MN
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Tow fuel isn't a big extra expense, I agree. Life with negative cash flow is. The car will still sit. 6 years now. Off to work for another 12 hour day, so I can live negative. Exillerating, whoopee.
Damn! whats the situation --- if i may ask ?
12 hour shift jobs usually pay decent....?
im deep in debt---but i have a self set budget that allows me NO entertainment and very little food , and nothing else (except bills) ----so i can race once a month
Too personal to get into. Car, hopefully will survive. If not, so be it.
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Re: Tough Times Coming??
[Re: tboomer]
#968926
04/10/11 03:17 PM
04/10/11 03:17 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 883 Affton MO
qwkmopardan
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 883
Affton MO
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I would normally ignore a topic on this subject but it caught my attention after the last two weeks of racing and the long drive home last night. I have done my share of winning but have yet to make a profit. I like the hobby more than anything else but when there seems to be no hope at breaking even, and no local racetrack, it may be time to slow down. The last two weeks I have done all right at the track. I got to 6 cars at sikeston last weekend and stopped to get paid on the way out for $50, about enough to pay for the gas to get home. Then last night I got to 4 cars at I-57 and figured, well at least I will get enough to pay for the entrys and buyback and maybe a couple gallons of race gas. Well needless to say I was very dissapointed when I walked to the pay window to collect my $50.00. Most probably don't even realize and maybe don't want to know, but a low 10- high 9sec car costs about $25 everytime you do a burnout and make a pass. And that figure is assuming you get 1000 passes on a $10,000 engine. If your engine expires at 500 runs it will be way more than $25 a pass. I have seen guys show up the first or 2nd night on a new engine, and blow it up with less than 30 passes so I don't even want to think about the cost per pass in that situation. Bottom line is, you have to collect a few good wins in the 1000 passes to recover the costs of maintaining the racecar to go along the high costs of fuel and entrys. All my junk has at or near 1000 passes so it is time for new powerplants. If I had a race track close to home and the tow vehicle costs, for fuel mostly, could be eliminated it would not be so bad because I still have barrels of fun when there is no $$$$ at the end of the night. But $200 a week just for entrys and fuel and only $50 for going alot of rounds just isn't affordable just for fun. However there are plenty of people that waste more $$$$ in a tavern on fri and sat. night than us racers do racing on the weekend so I guess I'll quit bitchin and keep racing.
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Re: Tough Times Coming??
[Re: qwkmopardan]
#968927
04/10/11 03:31 PM
04/10/11 03:31 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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Dan, thats what the 300 is for. Drive it there, race and drive it home. This eliminates the need for tow vehicles and such.
-Dustin 67 Dart, 9 second, 392" G3 Hemi 68 Barracuda 340 F/SA
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Re: Tough Times Coming??
[Re: Irun5snd8th]
#968928
04/11/11 02:05 PM
04/11/11 02:05 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,749 Chowchilla,ca
Chassisman
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,749
Chowchilla,ca
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threw 140.00 in the dually(will use it all) threw 165.00 in the wifes Excursion(tows her car to the track) 240.00 for entry fees for me...the wife and the boy all to race. another 120.00 for friends/crew another 200.00 in race fuel and methanol ....130.00 for food for us and the crew(brews included) So....for a grand total of 995.00 ....WE'RE GOIN RACIN !!!!!
Now...this is the season opener....1 down ... 9 more to go....LOL
I feel bad for you left coast guys. I got 5 tracks within 90 minutes of me.
.....home track is 126 miles south of me.....next closest is 132 north of me....
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Re: Tough Times Coming??
[Re: Triple Threat]
#968929
04/11/11 02:09 PM
04/11/11 02:09 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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Dan, thats what the 300 is for. Drive it there, race and drive it home. This eliminates the need for tow vehicles and such.
I did that YEARS ago till I broke a axle... so for me if I'm going racing I prefer the trailer... I've got a open and a enclosed but I like the enclosed but it cost to drag it around
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Re: Tough Times Coming??
[Re: Al_Alguire]
#968932
04/12/11 11:04 AM
04/12/11 11:04 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,131 New Lenox IL
cudadon
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,131
New Lenox IL
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Anyone care to pay my fuel bill for the numberous trips back and forth to Vegas lately. I guess the good news is we were in the money at each race but dang $4.50 a gallon for diesel is tough
Cheer up Al. Soon your drive will be shorter right? Wish I was spending GAS money driving to work. Right now I have a REALLY great boss (me) but the pay sucks. Unemployment It could be worse, right. Don
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Re: Tough Times Coming??
[Re: cudadon]
#968933
04/12/11 11:24 AM
04/12/11 11:24 AM
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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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Anyone care to pay my fuel bill for the numberous trips back and forth to Vegas lately. I guess the good news is we were in the money at each race but dang $4.50 a gallon for diesel is tough
Cheer up Al. Soon your drive will be shorter right? Wish I was spending GAS money driving to work. Right now I have a REALLY great boss (me) but the pay sucks. Unemployment It could be worse, right. Don
Same boat here, after a month of nothing, the unemployment office finally has seen things my way and realized they dropped the ball on my claim.
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: Tough Times Coming??
[Re: dartman366]
#968934
04/12/11 11:27 AM
04/12/11 11:27 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,552 Las Vegas
Al_Alguire
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,552
Las Vegas
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I feel for you guys who are not working. I am facing the same issue with our upcoming move. Vegas is a very economically depressed area and jobs are few and far between. I have been talking to some folks about work but nothing yet.
Hang in thier guys lets hope this deal gets turned around sooner than later. However I am not feeling all warm and fuzzy about the nations current economic situation.
"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."
"It's never wrong to do the right thing"
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Re: Tough Times Coming??
[Re: dartman366]
#968936
04/12/11 11:58 AM
04/12/11 11:58 AM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,410 Belpre,Ohio
CHAPPER
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,410
Belpre,Ohio
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Quote:
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Anyone care to pay my fuel bill for the numberous trips back and forth to Vegas lately. I guess the good news is we were in the money at each race but dang $4.50 a gallon for diesel is tough
Cheer up Al. Soon your drive will be shorter right? Wish I was spending GAS money driving to work. Right now I have a REALLY great boss (me) but the pay sucks. Unemployment It could be worse, right. Don
Same boat here, after a month of nothing, the unemployment office finally has seen things my way and realized they dropped the ball on my claim.
All,,look on the 'bright' side...I did find out, that it's easier signing up for Social Security than Unemployment,,,so,,when you get "old", things will be better..??
If you like drag racing, support your local track.
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Re: Tough Times Coming??
[Re: CHAPPER]
#968938
04/12/11 03:09 PM
04/12/11 03:09 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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Quote:
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Quote:
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Anyone care to pay my fuel bill for the numberous trips back and forth to Vegas lately. I guess the good news is we were in the money at each race but dang $4.50 a gallon for diesel is tough
Cheer up Al. Soon your drive will be shorter right? Wish I was spending GAS money driving to work. Right now I have a REALLY great boss (me) but the pay sucks. Unemployment It could be worse, right. Don
Same boat here, after a month of nothing, the unemployment office finally has seen things my way and realized they dropped the ball on my claim.
All,,look on the 'bright' side...I did find out, that it's easier signing up for Social Security than Unemployment,,,so,,when you get "old", things will be better..??
Thank's Fred, that make's me feel SOOOOOO much better.
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: Tough Times Coming??
[Re: dartman366]
#968940
04/12/11 08:02 PM
04/12/11 08:02 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,410 Belpre,Ohio
CHAPPER
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,410
Belpre,Ohio
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Things will get better for us all someday..At least we have been waking up on this side of the grass!!
but why does there have to be so much dandylions and crabgrass??
DON'T EVEN MENTION THAT...my wife has been bugging me about that!! "Before you go racing,,this yard better be DONE!!" The way I got it figured,,if the rain don't stop,,I can't do either one,,race or mow! I'm thinking the track will dry out before the grass does,,so I will probably be racin' before I'm mowin'..
If you like drag racing, support your local track.
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