41 replies to this topic

[eshorer]

So as I'm typing this I'm tuning into a live webcast of a big race at Piranha Speedway in SoCal, where they're getting ready to race for a pot upwards of $2,300.  Probably you get the same question as I do when I tell people I'm a serious slot car racer: "Do you bet on the races?" Other than drag racing I don't know of any betting that goes on. What is it about drag racing and betting (or racing for money pots) compared to road racing? Just wondering.

Eddie

[Pablo]

Drag guys bet. Road course guys don't. Cats and dogs. They usually get along, but don't try and mix them. Let the money stay in drags. Keep it away from road and roundy-roundy racers. The system works. I say "don't mess with it".

 

Drag guys need the money - they show up with 15 cars. Us road course and roundy-roundy guys don't need the money - we show up with one car in a brown bag and if it breaks we fix it.

[Jesse Gonzales]

In the old days Bill Rogers from Tucson and his sidekick Niel Kuhns used to make "Bullit Bags" many of the fortunate AZ racers used them like Hoffman boxes only they were for shot jaunts to the track. The brown paper grocery bags were often doubled up with a glue resistant inner liner of saran wrap secured in place with strapping tape for strength. the inner bag was left natural to develop a soft suede like finish. The out bag was decorated with a variety of slot related adds for things like Glue, Braid, Gas Relief tablets etc. the nag rims were taped with strapping tape to prevent bag tears during critical grab bagging and heading out the door when the track owner called the police or you cut loose after that anchovy & beer pre-race snack.

 

I used mine well into the late 80's, those were the days. We had no Drag guys around so they were the good old days.

 

Jess

[Michael Jr.]

So as I'm typing this I'm tuning into a live webcast of a big race at Piranha Speedway in SoCal, where they're getting ready to race for a pot upwards of $2,300.  Probably you get the same question as I do when I tell people I'm a serious slot car racer: "Do you bet on the races?" Other than drag racing I don't know of any betting that goes on. What is it about drag racing and betting (or racing for money pots) compared to road racing? Just wondering.

Eddie

 

Some have tried Drag Racing without the money payouts but because it's become so standard in Drag Racing, the racers won't come out for a non-monetized event. There's always one with money just a little further down the road.  And because that works to bring guys out and is profitable for the track as well.....it will continue to be the norm. 

[mark1]

I've done some road racing that had a cash payout. It seems to increase whining, quitting, cheating, rough driving, etc.

[Ramcatlarry]

Track owners:  Take ENTRY FEES UPFRONT if you have payouts.  I found that when every thing is 'on the tab' that the cash to pay for your special inventory you bought for 'race prize payouts' never makes its way to the register.  Side bets are on the racer dime.  Track time and entry fees  are the primary function of running races.  Selling parts is a profit center to be kept separate.

[spudboy]

I've done some road racing that had a cash payout. It seems to increase whining, quitting, cheating, rough driving, etc.

 

I seem to recall that in the 60s & early 70s(?) big races often had cash payouts.  Am I wrong?  My 10 cents, there is enough poor sportsmanship in the hobby without adding a cash incentive.

 

In a mano e mano hobby like slot drags it is not surprising to me that there would be betting going on.

[Bill from NH]

Nate, in the 70s, the bigger wing car races usually had cash payouts for the pro class only. In the semi-pro & amateur  classes, the payouts were merchandise & merchandise certificates.

[Phil Smith]

Betting is a big part of 1/1 drag racing of all types. It just dawned on me that it might be a big part of slot car drag racing as well. Is that the case? I've never drag raced so I don't know.

[DavidR]

Its illegal too in many states but tracks still do ot

[gfox]

Sorry guys but it's not 'betting'.

Entry fees are paid and there is a cash payout just like at any full size drag strip or oval track.

[Dave Crevie]

It's a carryover from real street racing in the 50's and 60's. We almost always raced on a bet. It helped finance the car. 

[MSwiss]

Sorry guys but it's not 'betting'.
Entry fees are paid and there is a cash payout just like at any full size drag strip or oval track.

I agree.

At least here, it's been that way for 14 months.

I haven't seen one bet.

No different than when I used to win money wing car racing.

I wasn't betting.

I was paying an entry fee and getting a percentage of the purse, or more if the raceway owner put up more money, but that was up to him.

[Phil Smith]

I meant bets participants made with each other. Maybe even on cars other than their own. Happens all the time in 1/1 drag racing. From street to NHRA.I imagine most of you are aware of this.

[MSwiss]

Phil,

I watch Street Outlaws.

 

There is some thrash talking, but 2 guys don't throw a wad of bills down on my flat race (adjacent to the strip), and race for it.

[Phil Smith]

Mike, not saying that there is betting on drag racing at your track, but if there was, I imagine it would be going on discretely in the pits.

[MSwiss]

Discrete?

Lol

No.

I was "warned" about drag racers.

I've been lucky for 14 months.

No box slamming or drama.

Knock on wood.

[Phil Smith]

LOL that you think racers couldn't be betting without you knowing about it.

[MSwiss]

Why would I care?

I don't have a No Gambling sign anywhere.

Guys don't get upset when they lose a race that takes them out of a payout.

[eshorer]

Since I put up the original post, let me clarify: I misspoke when I used the term "betting." I haven't witnessed anyone betting in the traditional sense, although it sounds like some of that is done. My intent was to get at some of the ideas you all had as to why racing for money is (and has been) much more prevalent in slot car drag racing compared to slot car road racing. As I mentioned: they raced for $2300. the other day! Have there been even larger pots that you know of? Other than JPvR putting up two Pontiac Fieros, I haven't seen any kind of prizes approaching that in road racing. If you have, do tell. All I see where I go is racing for bragging rights. Sometimes those are HUGE!  :-) 

Eddie

[MSwiss]

I'm pretty the winner at the Million wins $10K+.

IIRC, it's $50 a car entry, 10 car limit, so $500 entry fee if you want your best chance of winning.

IIRC, they had about 780 cars last year.

[Paul Menkens]

 Other than JPvR putting up two Pontiac Fieros

Eddie

did those ever actually get awarded? I remember reading at the time that Mr. VanRossem was having a hard time coming up with the money he owed for putting the races on, must be his MoneyTron machine was broken that day. At his peak he did own 108 Ferraris though.

[MSwiss]

They certainly did.

I never heard of a racer getting stiffed on any advertised prizes or prize money.

[Phil Smith]

Why would I care?

I don't have a No Gambling sign anywhere.

Guys don't get upset when they lose a race that takes them out of a payout.

 

I don't think you should care. As long as they're discreet about it I wouldn't care either. I was just curious about it.

[eshorer]

I'm pretty the winner at the Million wins $10K+.

IIRC, it's $50 a car entry, 10 car limit, so $500 entry fee if you want your best chance of winning.

IIRC, they had about 780 cars last year.

I had NO idea this kind of thing was going on. I looked up the results for the Jan. 2021 race and it looks like $30,000. cash was handed out across different categories. 767 entries!  Who knew? Obviously not me!

Eddie