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HMP Announces Purse Structure Changes


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Citing increased oval track operational costs and consistently poor front gate receipts, Houston Motorsports Park track owner Graham Baker announced today that a new purse structure format would go into effect immediately. Starting on May 6, HMP will pay a purse based on 75% of its pit gate income for each of its four V-8 classes including the Pro Late Models, Pro Modifieds, Texas Trucks, and Stock Car divisions. 75% of the gross back gate income (car entry fees and pit passes) from each division will determine the purse for that division.

 

“My brother David and I regret having to make this decision but it was either this or closing the oval track operation down completely and staging drag racing events on those oval track dates”, said Baker. “We’ve always been straight forward with our racers about the financial situation with the oval track operation which has never been a profitable venture”.

 

“We had less than 100 paying front gate customers on April 21st. Despite spending thousands of dollars on advertising over the past 12 months, our spectator attendance at the oval track continues to remain poor. We are asking for the support of all our race teams for this revised purse plan, as we think this will allow the oval track to remain somewhat economically viable”.

 

The next Oval track event is this Saturday, May 6th with eight divisions competing. For more information, please visit www.houstonmotorsportspark.com or contact Graham Baker at (281) 924-7828.

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Better than slammin' the doors on em'.

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"Test" Tickles me.

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Question, who didn't see this coming?

 

In all fairness to the Bakers, there in business to make money. If the dragstrip brings in the cash, that is where their attention needs to be.

 

Did anyone see the commercial during the NASCAR race for supporting the local tracks? I wonder if they will air it again this week during the Richmond race Saturday night. LOL

Edited by CommonSenseRacing
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I don't think it really matters.I don't think racers don't do it for the money anyways,they do it because they love their sport.The purse does help pay some bills don't get me wrong,but racing is a money losing deal(just ask anyones wife)Jack Roush once said to make a million in auto racing,you must first start with 2 million!!! :lol::lol::lol: Graham,I beleive you are a sucessfull promoter because you balance your tough track bussiness decisions with the drivers interest(which is a hard balancing act i'm sure),would you please talk to the teams and get their take on the idea of inverting less cars.(the top inverted cars will put on a good show for the fans and the rest can ride around and learn)Your car count is growing, and I know you want to keep it that way.I have heard you in meetings yourself talk about why HMP has strict passing policies in place so you guys can keep the cars from getting wrecked and they will be able to make the next show.I know less inverted cars is not going to stop all the wrecks,but it will help out alot!!!!

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How can you possibly have only 100 paying spectators in a city as large as Houston? Houstonians rarely get behind anything, but 100? Must be doing a great promoting job...NOT! Oh, and race for free, don't think so. The total purse for the late model pros already is less than TSRS, and they run in Houston. Are they going to cut the TSRS purse when they run in Houston as well, or is Mary Ann smarter than the ownership at HMS? We're making the trip this weekend to HMS only because we have had it scheduled to do so. But in light of the current announcement, looks like our late model pro will get more garage time.

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How can you possibly have only 100 paying spectators in a city as large as Houston? Houstonians rarely get behind anything, but 100? Must be doing a great promoting job...NOT! Oh, and race for free, don't think so. The total purse for the late model pros already is less than TSRS, and they run in Houston. Are they going to cut the TSRS purse when they run in Houston as well, or is Mary Ann smarter than the ownership at HMS? We're making the trip this weekend to HMS only because we have had it scheduled to do so. But in light of the current announcement, looks like our late model pro will get more garage time.

Who said anything about racing for free!!!!!!Houston is one of the largest cities in the U.S.The people there have alot of different ways to spend there entertainment dollar.I'm sure it's tough to lure them in.I hope everyone don't feel the way you do(more garage time)if so that will be the end for sure.

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I know racers say it is not their job to promote, but I think it is time to help out. We take one of our cars on a weekly basis to our sponsor, Texas Roadhose on 290, to show it off. The feed us free each week and we entertain the kids while we are there. I think some of us did the same, 1 time a month, and handed out fliers, tickets, schedules, a map to the track, or whatever we can do to get fans in the stands. I love racing at HMP, I don't have to repair my car as much as I did on dirt. I have a dirt car that I am building, but it is just for fun. My Stock Car is serious business. I wanna keep racing it. If anyone wants help in finding a place to go out and promotoe our racing, you can call me and I will give you some pointers. Get a group together and take 2 or more cars and it will get more attention. Racing is expensive, for us, and for the track. I will do more than I am now to make sure we have a track to race at.

 

Arthur Hermiz

281-541-1301 cell

www.SDRphoto.com

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I will also say this. I don't agree with making the racers pay so much to race. We pay $75 to race, and the dirt tracks are $25 for the same purse, if not more. The grand stand tickets are too high, $15 COMPARED TO $8 TO $10. It is a matter of supply and demand. If there is no demand, you can't charge that much. Make it economical for a family to come out. You charge $10 a ticket and get more people in the stands, they all spend money in the concession, and you've made more money because more spent money in the concession. Houston is a bad place for saturday night racing. There is so much other stuff to do, you can't get a crowd unless you really push it. HRP can never get a crowd and they have an awsome facility too. Gator Motorplex in Willis packs the stands every week, because it is the only thing to do. I am not a promoter, my ideas are only my ideas, some tracks have listened, some have not. I am open to help HMP because I love the track, and the people there. Look at the drag strip. The fill the pits every weeek, but they only charge $10. You can't compare that to why we don't at $25. Our grand stand prices are more expensive than their pit prices. Look at THR, they are not even that expensive. I hope they take a look at what can be done instead of trying to make us buy more tickets, higher pit passes, higher entry fees, ect. Less is More!!! Cut costs, more will race, more that race, more fans you get, more fans you get, more money made. Now, I will get off my soap box, and get back to work. I hope to see everyone at the track this weekend!!!

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You can't successfully advertise an unknown product... Promote first.

They advertise very well. Newspapers, commercials, etc..... I see ads for them everywhere. Also, their commercials are also everywhere.

 

 

Where? I've missed them.

 

Just last race, filling up the tow vehicle and a little fuel for the car (I'm lucky enough to get by on 93 octane), had someone comment on my car. He asked where I race and I told him at HMP (gave directions, web site info, etc.) He said "I didn't know there was a track around here like that. I'll have to go sometime." And that's not the 1st time I've heard this response ("I didn't know there was a track....")

 

My personal plan: get with a couple of high-traffic stores in the area (Kroger, Lowe's, Home Depot, etc.) and see if they would mind if parked my car out front and did some advertising (of the track and the class I race.). Will it help? I hope so. Certainly don’t think it will hurt.

 

I'm also donating to a local charity 5 laps in my car around the track. Will cost me the track rental and some time (hopefully not the car!!), but it's for a good cause. And I might be able to attract someone to the class or the track.

 

Is this my job? Nope, but I'm hoping to do what I can to help grow the sport (and I don't want to go back to the dirt track :) )

 

I am, of course, open to additional suggestions.

 

Robert Carson

Edited by CC57
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Circle track racing in this part of the county is unlike anywhere else and getting fan participation is hard to do unless you are Nascar. Even the dirt tracks around here for years have had a hard time filling the stands on a regular basis. Some of your most successful tracks are out in the middle of no where and the locals support it because going to the track on Sat. night is just what you do. It also doesn't cost much to advertise in small communities.

 

HMP is where it is and that's not going to change. Trying to complete with all the entertainment possibilities in Houston Texas is a huge challenge and very expensive. I know the Bakers have tried very hard to fill the stands. I think its time as car owners and drivers to help by showing your car and asking people to come to the track to see us race. I would sure hate to see it close down. That would be 2 track closings in Texas in one year maybe 3.

 

To the Bakers,

Again, Thanks for letting us play in your sand box and what a great sand box it is. I have always thought a lot about you guys and admire what has been done at HMP. As a business man I also understand how you can't keep working for free. Then when people give you crap about it that has to be very upsetting. If there is anyway to make a change for the well being of track and the Bakers(family first next to God) you know I will be all for it.

 

Forget the purse!!!! We raced for years with out it and did fine. It would be nice but I don't think people will quit racing if the purse goes away. Idea, pay purse based only on grand stand(front gate) money only. Leave it up to the drivers and car owners to put people in the grand stands and be responsible for the purse (or don't even do that). What ever it takes to keep the doors open at HMP. When is the last time you got paid to play a round of golf?

 

I have been road coarse racing know for 2 years and it has shown me a whole different side of Motorsports in didn't even know existed. In road coarse racing we pay $150 per day ($300 per weekend) and there are 100+ cars at every event and we don't even get a trophy.

 

If you want to join a road coarse track for your personal use you must pay a one time fee of $5000 to $7000 and $150 every day you use the track. Then there is a several thousand dollar yearly renewal fee. They can't build garages fast enough at MSR Houston or MSR Crescent in Granbury to house all the people that want to pay to park their race cars at the track. On top of all that there are 2 new tracks in Texas under construction and one more to be built north of Houston.

 

I'm not saying charge membership fees at HMP but I don't see how HMP can afford to pay a purse along with the cost of insurance, utilities, “THE NOTE" and the staff to open. The road coarse guys don't even know what a purse is expect to carry makeup, car keys and what ever else ladies put in there.

 

I am not a rich man as far as money goes but the lack of purse will not kill me. I have raced since 1991 and I bet I have won maybe $10,000. Racing at this level is mostly for fun. How often do you get paid for having fun? Don't we all wish we were professionally paid drivers but that's just not the case.

 

I support HMP with their new decision and will race there as much as my time and $ allows.

Thanks again to the Bakers and all their hard work.

 

Kirby Caldwell ASA Late Model #67

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I need a list of drivers who would be willing to show their cars on the thursday or friday before raceday on the north side of town. I will get with Graham and try to get some fliers. I know I can get Hobby Stocks, but I need trucks, Pro mods and Lates, all the classes. We are going to make this work. E-mail me at info@sdrphoto.com, leave a post here, or call me at 281-541-1301. I am going to print me some promo cards to autograph as soon as I get some good pics of my new paint job.

 

Arthur Hermiz

777 Stock Car

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IF YOUR CAR IS OUT OF SIGHT IT WILL BE OUT OF MIND ..SITTING AT HOME WONT HELP ..IVE ALWAYS THOUGHT IT GOES HAND IN HAND .BOTH DRIVERS AND TRACK NEED TO ADVERTISE ... MOST DRIVERS HAVE SPONSORS SO NOW ITS NOT JUST A HOBBIE .YOU GAVE YOUR WORD TO RACE WHEN YOU TAKE THIER MONEY ..IF THE TRACK CLOSES .THEN WHAT ...... SO GO OUT PICK UP ONE NEW FAN TO COME OUT AND WATCH YOU ..HE MAY BRING A FRIEND .AFTER THEY COME ITS UP TO THE TRACK TO KEEP THEM THERE ... CUT THE GATE PRICE AND SO FORTH .. 300 FANS SPENDING 15 DALLORS TOGET IN IS NOT VERY GOOD ...500 FANS AT 10 DALLORS .WELL

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I understand that HMP had a business decision to make regarding their purse.

 

Interesting, back when HMP was Big H(a dirt track) the stands were pretty much full all the time. Of course until Daniel Baliles came along, that is......... Back then the facility was a typical dirt track joint, small scorers booth, wooden stands, unpaved pits and no where near the immaculate place it is now. Same competition for entertainment dollars, not sure on ecomony statistics since I haven't lived there since 84, but all things being equal, I just can't understand. Big H rarely advertised, only when the WoO was coming did I EVER see or hear anything on TV or radio and they packed the place at $30/head.

 

So what are we missing here???????

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this is what i am getting out of this thred. ether they are not getting any cars to show upor they have cars and they put on such a bad show that the cars fam. and friends dont want to see the show.every car should bring in at least 2 people in the stands.have pepsi night at the races,have miller lite night,how many free tickets do they give out???because you kill them at the food stand.

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....because you kill them at the food stand.

Or maybe not. I was informed by a track employee at Houston Raceway Park (my old haunt)that HRP leases out the concession stand area. At least on the general spectator side. So they do not receive $s from the concessions, at least not as a percentage of the night's sales.

 

Don't know about HMP

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