Every race you go to you have to pay around $10 at the gate and then usually $25-$30 to actually race. Now the way I look at it, the gate fee should be for the spectators who are coming in to see the show, while the racers are the show.

Can you explain this trackman? I don't mean to single you out, because every track out there does this.

The only thing I can think of is if something happens and a racer has to pull out of the race, the promoter isn't at a total loss because they still get the gate fee even though they refund his race fee.

Just curious, I know it's not like this is going to stop.

It cover most of the insurance.

Then what does the race fee cover, district fees and stuff like that? :excuseme:

For spectator-type races, I guess it's to make sure everyone doesn't say they're a racer to get in for free. ("My buddy's here with my bike.")

For woods races, my understanding is it's traditionally the money that goes to the landowner vs. the club who may not own all the property that's hosting the event.

But, the bottom line is it's a fee that's well integrated into the whole economics of this racing business and if it went away, it probably would find itself somewhere else (i.e., sign up).

yzmuddereffer said:

I couldn't agree with you more. It's like giving 20% off on something that you bumped up 20%. You could work numbers around however you want to make them seem fair, but the bottom line is you're still gonna pay the same.

Entries - covers insurance, equipment, staff, trophies, etc. - for the show.

Gate - covers what the above doesn't...and hopefully means the difference between a profit and a loss.

Anyone who thinks a track owner makes money promoting events is crazy. Open rides & rentals bring more money down to net than racing does.

Bultaco206 said:

Oh I know that, I was just curious how it was broken up and where that money went.

The perfect example of your above point is Sunset Ridge. He used to have quite a few more races but now he has more open practices because that's where the money is.

It actually makes the sign up costs less? Reason being it deferrs the cost to spectators and not on the riders. Our sport is supported by and paid for in the most part by the rider. There simply isn't enough "spectators" to cover costs but there are enough to help with it. Riders, pay to race, and hell even the pros have a entry fee, and pay over 300 bucks for a "pro sport" license so they can get into events for "free".

We have a pit pass, which is held over from the old days, it helps us pay the purse, which is why we can do what we do. Not the only reason for pit passes, but it is part of it.

Promoters and Clubs make money, I would not talk in here and say "we dont'", but with that said it really takes people who like the sport to be in this business. I could not justify what we do to my wife if we all didn't like to be involved. Many of you have had that "girlfriend" that didn't like racing, I had a few in the day. This job requires flexibilty and patience. The rewards come after alot of time and effort........Sometimes i wonder how we got here, but like i always say when people ask me "what do you do for a "real job", I just say I dick around all week and play on the weekends. Then get paid for it.

:)

$10 at Mendota and Joliet are deals...

At a pro SX, I pay $150 per event entry. Mechanic passes are $40. Guest passes are $40. My pro licence is $400.

Total purse for a SX is about $60,000. Thats split between 80 riders that make the night show. Lites class is $2000 to win, $235 to make the show. I got 9th in Toronto in 05 and made $390.

SX class is $10,000 to win , $570 to make the show. If you figure average attendance for a SX is about 60,000, the riders get about $1 per spectator's $40 ticket.

This year I had travel help from WWR, bikes from Pro Source, parts (Moose, Bel-Ray, Dubach,4PR). Many prepaid for my schools this spring, my mechanic (Bobby Fischer ) worked for free, Davi Millsaps gave me a cash donation, I only missed 2 night shows, and...I DIDN'T BREAK EVEN.

Outdoor Nationals have the same expenses, harder work, and even less purse money.

I really need to get faster, I could make more in 4 wins that I'm currently making in a year! :smirk: :cry:

lol....

Quote

Bryan, that is plain wrong. it is why this sport will only get so big and never bigger. I honestly can't believe they put these kids out there make this kind of money on them and can't come up with a decent purse.

Trackman, I heard that even with the waiver we sign to help protect you and our sport that tracks still get sued. WHAT!! ANYTIME we get on ur bikes we know what could happen and then to get sued cause you got in an accident is just plan wrong. I heard the kid had big balls cause once he healed up he came back to the same track to race again...he should be blackballed just like anyone the sues a land owner for getting hurt while riding on someone elses property. My 2cents