Warren,
The way the tow money works is: the total purse is distributed to all the racers. For example if there is a race in NJ, the tow package might be 450.00 for boats coming from Maryland/Virginia area, 850.00 for boats coming from Mich/Ohio area and 0 for NJ boats.
The tow package isn't the "class purse" divided up amongst the class.
A class 5 boat coming from Virginia to race in NJ would get the same tow money as a class 3 boat coming from Virginia.
So if I travel out to Michigan with my 450 horse class 6 boat, and get stompped on by Tyler Crocket with an 800 horse small block, he might get the win and a trophy, but I get "tow money" for going out to Michigan. The tow money takes some of the "sting" out of being out-horsepowered, and traveling 600 miles.
Hope this helps.

I guess you really need to look at what we as racers are trying to accomplish with OPA....

Is it changing rules to benifitt your own team or really get more racers to come out...

What will really get more racers to come out and get the current racers to attend more races?

We know that the Geico Tripple Crown will get a good turn out...but what about the rest of the year....do we not owe it to all the race sites to have a good boat turn out and put on a show...

Should teams that attend every race be compensated?

Smitty has always been open mined to what the racers are thinking....so should we as racers maybe try to come up with ways to get all of us to every race....

What will best help our sport....prise money or boat count...

Do we really look at it as: the bigger the boat count the better the chance to be invited next year and maybe have more money offer to come back or..is it....I don't care if I only race against 3 boats becasue I will get a pay check even if I brake....

Just a tought....we know some teams are only running for the prise money and will only do certain races they have a chance on winning....An more power to them....but should we relook at what is and how its being paid out and in the end will it really contribute to get more boats out?

I know some people think changing the rules on our boats my bring more boats to our sport....but how long do you think a low budget team can travel from Mich to MD to NY to Tenn. and if they do not finnish in the top 3 to recieve any prise money, can they sustained to keep racing....while some teams just attend a few races to get a pay check....

Just a stupid thought again....
Should we first look at, what rules should we look at to get 40 to 45 boats to every race.....because with the economy the way it is....do we really think by changing some rules of our boats will really bring out new teams....

What is the #1 way to get out new teams and get the current teams running half of the season to run the whole season?

I think they should leave the $ part where its at.
BUT ,,,,the thing with the HP rule is a perfect idea for any P-class !!!!!!!!
Because if nobody gives a ratsa$$ about it i will have a 1200 HP motor in my boat for 09 and still run P-4.
That thing will scream like a Formula one car from 20 -85 MPH,,,,in less then 3 sec. LOL

What will best help our sport....prise money or boat count...


IF YOU HAVE PRICE MONEY ,,,,,,,YOU GONNA SEE BOATCOUNT !!!!!!!!!

The reason for me ,,,,,,because if i would have the chance to break even with my travel and hotel expenses at a race i would defenetly GO ,,,no question about it.

If i could not break even ,,,,,then wy should i go. ( if its outside of ,,,,lets say a 2000$ range)

Thats my opinion. ,,,,,,,but also i am one of the poorest out there that love the Sport but NOT THE ENGINE BUILDERS. LOL

So you could possible think of it like:
If I do 8 races a year....
and I only place 3 time all year
and say brake once or twice during that year...how much did you make in prise money....maybe 3 or 4k.....
But what if you still had prise money but not as much...but all teams still got a certain dollar amount based on attendance during the year....everyone would get money at every race...more to the teams that finished 1st,2nd and 3rd and more to teams that as the races are put on are attending every race...so by the last race of the year....the teams that have attend the most races and finish 1st 2nd and 3rd place would be paid the most because it is those teams that are putting the most into OPA....and even if a team made its only race at the end of the year...they would still get paid something for making the trip....

Who would benifit from that:
1 The teams that are putting in the most time and money.
2. Weather you think you have a shot at winning or not you will be compensated for your attendance.
3. With teams being paid more for every race they attend it would give teams a reason to continue to race with a bonus if you place.
4. With more teams attending the races it would also make the point chase closer. ( also another reason to make every race)

Scott,

Are you thinking about coming over to OPA? If you figure the price per race plus regisration for your current Org plus the lower gas prices you could probably run with us for less money then your paying now? Only problem you gota run with the big boyzzzz like Augie

I think Gino may be on to something. We lost some teams last year to the ecomony and I'm afriad it will be more this year. Travel money would help, but you must travel a min distance, 250 miles or something. We need to have people travel to all the sites so we can grow.

May be we should start a conversation about how we can grow the organization. For example, how can we attrack a series sponsor that will provide travel money? Or may be class sponsors. How can we promote the OPA?

Let me throw out an example...lets say the pruse is 25k in 8 Class's...

With 40 boats in the 1st race of the year:

1. every team would get $350 for attending (14k)
2. Remaining prise purse (11k) gets split over the 8 class's ( $1375 ) 1st place = $700
2nd place = $400
3rd place = $275
So the 1st place team takes home $1050
2nd place teams takes home $750
3rd place teams takes home $625
and everyone else takes home $350....every team will have some assistance to at least help towards expenses...

Now as the season gose on the teams that are attending all the races there attendance $ will go up, plus the possiblity of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place money...each race that teams miss will go to the teams that are attending by the % they have attended.

Even if we retained 80% of the racers to make all sites which would be the biggest % of attandance in the last 3 years...
It would still pay close to $500 to race teams that have supported OPA all year to show up by the end of the year

These numbers can be work out a number of ways...
but you here from teams each year..."IT COMES DOWN TO IF I HAVE THE MONEY TO MAKE THE NEXT RACE" well I would hate to have to count on a team on winning to make the next race...and give all teams a budget that they are guaranty for a min. for the year for attending each race...then the prise money is a bonus...and not hear, I will only do 1 or 2 races a year and if I win both I get $4500....and brings nothing to the points chase....I understand if teams have other commetments or can not make but 5 racers a year because of there work schedule...but by that extra money that can be giving to a team after 5 races that may be at its braking point, that attendance money may be able to get them to 1 or 2 more races that they were not going to attend because of funds....

To sum it up in a nut shell:

Do we want to give a team that make 4 races a year and if they win all 4 gets $8,800 and loose a team that was willing to make all races but cant becasue they ran out of money...or do we still reward that team that makes 4 races a year but only gets $4k for 4 wins and give some money to the teams that were unalbe due to funds but now can attend more races to help our sport and OPA as a race Org with a large boat count...

This makes alot of sense

Anything to help cover some cost works fo rme.