Fairbury weekly in 2019...

[bullring]

Obviously some sponsorship is involved in paying this big of purse. You’d never be able to pay that off attendance alone. A promoter has finally done the legwork to pay a decent purse. Kind of like Knoxville for the weekly sprints. Little town out in the middle of nowhere pays big money every week. No way attendance is paying that. Glad to see some positive dlm news for a change.

[HoosierDirtFan]

^^^ I have thought about it, but Crates don't seem like the answer because I feel that with more rules just comes more cheating. And the suspension and driveability of Late Models is something I wouldn't want to give up, so only time will tell.

I appreciate the conversation and don't want to further detract from the original post. This is truly a great thing for the fan (in all of us)! Getting to see the likes of Weaver, Feger, Unzicker, Spatola, and the host of others, on a weekly basis at FALS has always been special. Now you will certainly see some new faces as well. It should be exciting!

Jeff if you do come to Fairbury I hope you make the show on numerous occasions. I some what know the feeling with are modified team it's almost the same. About a 2 hour drive and not always easy for use to make a show but we genuinely love racing there and the folks are great from the track personal to the fellow competitors. Just like you we just keep trying and pushing forward. Fairbury is a "CLASS ACT TRACK".

JEFF Good luck next year.

[tiger]

While I'm sure sponsors are a big part of Fairbury and Knoxvilles weekly shows, it might not be as far fetched as you may think. Knoxville has somewhere around 30 suites in the main Stands and more in the Museum/Clauson suites that are almost always sold out and I've been told they can get 3000 people for a weekly show. If Fairbury could get 1500 people in the Stands plus full pits they would be close to a break even.

[ImCryn2]

We've asked for it and now we've got it...a bigger weekly purse! But I can't help myself in looking at the negative...

A purse like this most likely just killed Saturday night racing in our area, for the "average Joe" like me. Myself, and a host of others, stood a fighting chance at making a weekly feature when we went to Fairbury. But now, with guys from around St. Louis (and probably even farther) talking about making routine visits, a back marker like me shouldn't even bother showing up.

And while I don't know what Peoria's plans are for next year, I sure don't see them trying to compete with this (at least for Late Models). So while big car counts might seem like something great...at first...how long is it before Fairbury is the only track running Late Models on Saturday nights (in our area), and the car counts are back down to 15 or so?

And don't get me wrong. Matt is a great guy and has helped me more than once. He genuinely makes someone like me feel wanted at his track. But I can't help but wonder where this will take us...

I totally understand what you are saying. I just had a similar conversation with my son about it earlier today. Yes, it's great for the drivers and fans who can get there weekly, but I can't help but think that this will put a few tracks (that are already losing money trying to keep their track open) out of the game.
No, I'm not going to bash Matt for his bold move and trying to do something to keep his track one of the best in the country. I just fear that is will speed up the extinction of weekly racing at more tracks who can't compete for the cars.
The race fan in me likes to see this purse. The racer in me likes to see this purse. BUT as a guy who has watched tracks close and has been involved in trying to make financial sense of a racetrack, this scares the h3ll out of me.

[Shiny Side Up 18]

I don't think it will be a big deal for the other area tracks. It's really just Peoria and Sycamore, and Sycamore doesn't even run supers every week. Peoria will still get the UMP points chasers and their regulars. I suppose Sycamore could lose a couple cars to Fairbury, but probably not too many. And I wouldn't worry about Highland or Pevely, since the long haul up I-55 would burn enough diesel to likely offset any incentive to chase the higher purse.

[TackyTracker]

now I'm not the smartest but I think Jet is asking for a sponsor???

give him a call and help him out

[kidrock]

While I'm sure sponsors are a big part of Fairbury and Knoxvilles weekly shows, it might not be as far fetched as you may think. Knoxville has somewhere around 30 suites in the main Stands and more in the Museum/Clauson suites that are almost always sold out and I've been told they can get 3000 people for a weekly show. If Fairbury could get 1500 people in the Stands plus full pits they would be close to a break even.

Do you know what they have been averaging the last couple of years on their weekly program? I'm just curious because, I don't know.

[Highside Hustler25]

Lets not forget that mostly all of FALS workers are volunteers.

[thexfactor0210]

Also add in beer and concessions sales. Along with pit passes. Fairbury may get close to break even as someone daid on here with attendance.

[turnleftandgasit]

If you hauler burns 1200 dollars of fuel between St Louis and Fairbury, you need to unplug the Bully Dog tuner.

[ImCryn2]

I don't think it will be a big deal for the other area tracks. It's really just Peoria and Sycamore, and Sycamore doesn't even run supers every week. Peoria will still get the UMP points chasers and their regulars. I suppose Sycamore could lose a couple cars to Fairbury, but probably not too many. And I wouldn't worry about Highland or Pevely, since the long haul up I-55 would burn enough diesel to likely offset any incentive to chase the higher purse.

I hope you are correct. Maybe it will push other promoters to find new, creative ways to be able to pay similar purses.

[dirtrace09]

I truly can't believe that anyone is complaining about purses going up. I don't race at FALS but commend them on this move. What is even more impressive to me is the low pit pass prices and grandstand prices. Fans and racers are benefiting. I hope it works. And when it does, maybe other tracks will go out and try something new to get more cars and fans to their tracks. All we have heard for years is the sky is falling and racing is dying. We need bigger purses because the cost is out of control. We don't have the young fan base to support racing. There are so many other things taking time away and distracting from racing, etc... So we get a track to take a step out of the normal way of doing business and it upsets others. Maybe the negative mindset that has taken over the racing community is truly its downfall. Looks like I will have to make a trip or two up to FALS to try and make the show and know I am trying to compete against some of the best teams and drivers in Illinois.

[Krooser]

No one here has said Fairbury is wrong for doing this... but it does change the way some teams will operate.

Well funded operations may tow farther to compete for the bigger purse. Some guys may choose to drag their 10 year old cars back into their shops to get back into the fray hoping to get a piece of the action.

A few tracks may up their purse to compete.

We just dont know yet...

[dmr37]

Do you know what they have been averaging the last couple of years on their weekly program? I'm just curious because, I don't know.

The car count has been down the last few years. About 15-18 late models, even less for mods. Can't remember the last time a semi feature was needed.

[dangerdann]

The way i see it is im in the same boat as TheJet and im super exited about it but also see my chances of getting tow money increased.I have gotten it a couple times but I am also trying to up my motor program greatly and think i should be ok if i do. The way i see it though is its a higher risk but with a bigger reward and its also going to get some better racing.I hope to be down to FALS more this year as i have always felt welcomed and the atmosphere there is great. If we make this work im hoping other tracks will see this and step up.