Uhhgg..... Ok, count to ten...... Sorry, it's been a frustrating week, it's only Thursday, and to top it off I'm sick. But anyways...
I don't think I'm getting my point across. My point was that the manufacturers (Mitsu especially), SCCA, and now perhaps RA have fumbled the entire deal. The big buck corporate 2 car team turned out to be a loser as it didn't improve overall event quality, overall promotion, or overall competition. I think I came out in support of those teams a few years back, and I WAS WRONG (that's for you JVL, savor it). But, and this is important, I still contend that many of the other "improvements" were or are necessary. This includes TV, ID packages, TAG timing, etc.... We now have the infrastructure to really make this series go. The problem is we can't field consistant high quality entry lists. If RA and the manufacturers were smart, they would take the money they are pitching towards works teams and other crap and give real contingency money.
Mitsu spent around $3mil to run two cars and all the advertising. What if instead of the works team they took just a $500k and devoted it to contingency? First place gets $50k, second $25k, third $15k, and fourth $10k. Then take the remaining $400k and split between event contingency and start/tow money. Assume 10 events, or $40k and event. $20k goes to prize money, $20k to start money (10 teams for example, that's $2k per team). Think about it. How many guys would be running mitsus a if program like that was in place? How many guys would be driving to the limit with a $50k payout at the end? How many guys would show up at each and every race with consistent start money? You wanna spur competition, put a little money out there and you'll get it. In the mean time RA will get one hell of show, Subaru will have a real fight on it's hands, and everyone will be talking about the nuts trying to win the "Mitsu Money" (hmm, consider that trademarked). Oh, and mitsu would still have $2.5 mil left over to promote the whole thing, or maybe pay Finn's severance.
And finally a few things on a personal note:
I'm not bitter, I'm disappointed. It's like watching the Packers keep losing in the playoffs because the coaches are too stupid to draft a defense. How many times will rally be fumbled before we lose the ball?
I didn't buy my Lancer because I thought it was a ticket to fame, stardom, and free money. I bought it because it helps me achieve a personal goal of getting down gravel/snow roads as fast as I can.
I know I'm not the best driver out there, but I also know I don't suck.
Oh, one more thing... The local circle track pays out more in purses every year than all the rallies and rally related contingencies combined. Most people are appalled when then realize that I don't win anything for an event that is nationally televised. Something is wrong here.
Dennis Martin
[email protected]
920-432-4845