I don't think anyone is going to win, no matter what rules are put into place. Racers will spend what they can, given the rules. In the end analysis, a lot of promoters don't get it (some do...), they don't care how much anyone "invests" in their cars. You want to spend $4,000 or $40,000 into your car - they don't mind one bit, so long as you show up.
I've said this before, payouts haven't kept up with "costs" in two decades. It's not going to change either. Promoters are in the game to make money for themselves, not you. $12 grand for the Late Model Championship. Sounds great doesn't it. All it's likely to accomplish is have the top 3 teams invest MORE into their cars. I doubt it will attract new teams to run their full time - but we'll see.
Dump 12 grand into Thunder championship would do the same thing - top 5 or 6 teams simply invest more...
The other end of the spectrum of racing. CASC has NEVER paid any kind of money for any of its races, yet has car counts triple any asphalt oval track in Ontario, yet doesn't attract near the crowds as Sunset, Barrie, Peterborough, Kawartha.. go figure....
Want parity in racing - eliminate payouts and that would stop guys dumping every spare dollar they got into cars. God forbid if that happened, it would kill racing across the province as we know it.
Another way to 'influence' how teams are enabled to compete; Pay everyone equally for season racing - and then pay out championship funds based on finish. Pay each team $250.00 regardless where they finish. It may not cover every cost involved in racing, but it would certainly go a long way...
That would encourage various teams to travel without the threat of a few track championship "ringers" coming to simply scoop up 1st place money at invitationals or nights off from their home track.
The only way that would work is if every team looked at operating its team as a business and not a hobby. Which for most guys and gals is not worth the hassle that comes with it.
There are other 'enablers' that could create parity, lower costs to operate race cars, but they would never work or get off the ground.
Wes, I have always like the pay out equal idea. Or close to it, I mentioned that one before, tighten up the pay scale from top to bottom. Why make the rich guy richer? How the hell is anyone in 8th place making 120 dollors supposed to catch up with the top guy when he banks 400 bucks every night for 7 nights? ???
Pay the winner like 275 and last like 180, ten bucks or so a spot. They give points out in small increments, why not the cash?
Give the top guy his due with a big cheque at the end of the year, sure he earned it.
we begged tech to pull heads this year. we won the feature and rob begged them to pull heads. he was looked at like a freak and they never did, WE asked!!!!
Ya I know it was pretty laid back eh? They never set up the 4 cyl scales till later on in the year, to damn lazy I guess, over paid staff. U dont think I told Will to play the weight game every night haha!
I wish they would take away the scales for a night in thunder because my car would rock out with its c**k out at 2,650 lbs ;D
Charlie Do you really think rip downs every night is a good idea? hell that is really something to look forward to every Sat. night. Work all week on your car to work all night on your car makes a lot of sence. Tech is what it is, these guys get the shit end of the stick as it is . Everyone looks for that little bit of edge, is it cheating, maybe, but we all know that is racing it is the nature of the beast. In all honesty Charlie , have you ever played with that grey area in the rule book? We make the best of what we got. It would be nice if we all could work with the Tracks rather than against them.JMO.