Prize Money?

I see USACI and dBDRA are getting dumped on by another organization and it's owner for not giving prize money at finals. Better to poke at others so it takes the spotlight off of your faults! IMHO


So my question is: Would you prefer we do our finals like our other parking lot shows, cut all costs, no stage and entertainment, no convention center, no advertising to bring out spectators to see your cars, no media coverage, and give up the whole finals atmosphere and just give away a little cash?

We could do finals in the Wal Mart parking lot across form Car Toys and that would give us 13K (hall rent) to split up among all the classes. Would that draw more people? Is the couple hundred bucks for first place enough to cover your cost and would it justify lowering the level of the finals experience to a parking lot show? Is the money really going to make a dent in what we spend each year for this sport? Is it worth a trade off?

I am not being sarcastic, these are serious questions and USACI is listening. USACI could save hundreds of hour of promoting, weeks of stress, days upon days of coordinating ,and save thousands of dollars in the process.

Like the old days when we had finals in the cow barn, McKinney, TX. We had prize money, but was the dirt floors and stench of cow excrement worth it?

i say lets keep the same thing we are doing now,except give 3% of every show earnings towards a prize pot at finals.

Hmmmm... $50 from every show in a prize pot for finals?

Although prize money would be nice, and might draw some again, I dont think there is really a chance for a BIG cash prize....and would rather see spectators and a nice venue then $100 in my pocket.

Serious Thought needs to be givin as to what has happened between 2000-2003 to now. Looking at finals results and seeing 10-20 in EVERY class at world finals vs now with some classes having 1-2 competitors and such.

That would be my main focus.

i honestly think the TL is somewhat to blame for the lack of people coming to finals . being around db drag for a while as well as usaci, i have noticed the people who run usaci are just a slightly different breed...if they cant win they wont show..or will just cry about who ever is louder in their class.

but i think finals should stay how it is , cash does sound good, buti m not sure id want to give up finals as it is in trade for it. id rather find a way to give a smaller cash payout and keep it how it is.... duno how to do that. but... where did you read whatever was said??

can we have slik chix after dark in the wal mart parking lot?

Twisted Image wrote:

Although prize money would be nice, and might draw some again, I dont think there is really a chance for a BIG cash prize....and would rather see spectators and a nice venue then $100 in my pocket.

Serious Thought needs to be givin as to what has happened between 2000-2003 to now. Looking at finals results and seeing 10-20 in EVERY class at world finals vs now with some classes having 1-2 competitors and such.

That would be my main focus.

1. The economy
2. X-Box360, Extreme Sports, I-Pods
3. Sound laws hurting 12-volt sales
4. Newer, much cheaper, and far more accurate spl meters. (people used to have to come to finals to see if they could win. Now they set home with a term lab, decide they will not win, and do not bother to come)

And my personal favorite,

4. Every guy who gets pissed off he did not win at one or more finals starting his own organization or jumping in to a local organization where they can win easily due to the lack of serious competition.

This confuses competitors, draws on the limited manufacturer resources, and diffuses the value of events to the point the entire industry has about turned their back on the whole sound-off market! How many people are running around with “WORLD CHAMPION” stockers on their cars from “Organizations” that have 12 shows in two states and 100 members?

When there were two or three organizations there was a TON of support. Competitors traveled to the shows, the shows were bigger, and industry support was at an all time high. Today on any given day there are 12 or more groups all doing shows in small regions and all claiming to be legitimate organizations. These guys are diffusing the market and the competitor base and in fact hurting the entire sport.

Of course all will claim "Better Format" or “We car about competitors” and so on but the reality is usually they are just pissed of at one or another of the organizations or as in many cases, just greedy for more fame or money. Most just copy the other formats for their own gain!

Some groups around today

USACI
IASCA
DBDRA
NESPL
USPL
NSPL
MWSPL
MECA
SPS
NWSPL
Clash of the Titans
SO. La Boom
FLASPL
SO_CAL BASS PROD
And hundreds of other non sanctioned “LOCAL” events held at car shows and retail shops across the country each year.

And there are about 5 more I cannot think of right now.

And if you get mad at or lose in one, hey you got 12 others to go to!

In a nutshell,

Too many organizations for such a small market. More competitors than ever before, just scattered amongst the dozens of “organizations“ and so diffused no one organization can use the numbers to market the value of events to the industry.

Imagine if all these events, all these competitors were attending just one or two organizations. The numbers would be so HUGE the ENTIRE INDUSTRY would have to stand up and take notice. Might even be worth national media attention like we used to get before al of the “other orgs“.

Wouldn’t that be nice?

And for the record, these oher groups brag about how they are GROWING FAST, but in fact if you are the new guy or the little on the block then you have no place to go but up. It is just the fact of the numbes. In 25 years we will see if they fare as well.

End Rant.

Congrats to all the winners from the Barry's used cars, Car Audio and Pawn World Championships! The entire city of Lost Springs, Wyomning salutes you!

Next year we will have prize money, and the city is gonna loan us the auction barn for SQ judging! (we might have to sweep it out though)

i ran the other org last year.along with usaci. and it was fun with the head to head comps .i ran only usaci this year, so ya know my vote

how about this for a prize money solution. It would have to go to a member and USACI vote, but I believe it is fair on both parts. Im sure I will get flamed for this so.

"fire suit on"

What about raising the cost of entry for national level classes by $5 per entry, then USACI contributes 50% of that prize fund. SO $2.50 per entry in national level classes, heck even is USACI does $1.50 or $1 per competitor $5 it woluld tally quickly.

Each class would be kept independant for the amount, so low entry classes like supermod would not have the payouts as would the stock or SB classes....but would reflect the number of competitors in each class.

Even at $6 per class times 175 shows per year, times 2 competitors per class per show is $2100 in that class for a finals prize fund.

I dont mind the $5 increase per show if it was going to go towards a good finals money POT

What does everyone think of that?

correct the only classes with payout should be pro and above since stock is defined as those not receiving compensation lol

i bet they will like that

sanman wrote:

correct the only classes with payout should be pro and above since stock is defined as those not receiving compensation lol

i bet they will like that

I agree F U C K STOCK GUYS.... SORRY but when it comes to money i dont fizuck around stock can go screw on the prize money move up or out.... Not to mention i know nobody remembers but stock is for the first year guys anyway.... Fucken pukes that stay in stock for years.... fuckya

oh damm calling out loud and clear huh lol

ralph haz da funniez

I say raise it $10 five for pay out and the other 5 can pay for are invites to finals.... That way it will seem free to go

i like pizza!!!!

sanman wrote:

oh damm calling out loud and clear huh lol

Them and alot of others... Hell way too many to list thats for sure.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT DROPPING BACK DOWN NEXT YERA TO RUN AGAINST THEM

hmmmm.......yeah stock guys shouldnt be getting any money imo as well. if money was given.

i think maybe a cool thing would be maybe, if you win your class you get a free years membership for the following year for you and a new competitor. ???

sanman how about dropping down to stock class this year, to give us prostock guys a chance? lol,,,,

It is the ear bud generation. They just don't care about car audio enough to want to compete ... as long as it has an aux input it is good to go.

now add the level that we are all competing at now ... crap, just to be competitive ... you have to buy a certain vehcile, and buy certain expensive amps.

As far as finals goes ... I would say see how the turnout is this year. If the two largest (and really the only two true orgs left) can't pull off a big success of a show, then maybe it is time to throw in the towel on a big show.

Prize money ain't going to do make a difference at all PERIOD!

I think we need to team up with Mini Truckn magazine and Lowrider magazine and create the super shows they did in the past. If the magazines come back into it, then maybe some fresh blood and advertising will come in also. When I first started, I wanted to be in a magazine. Lowrider magazine gave me that chance. So I went to a show and I was hooked. Went to the organized sanctioned sound-off and bam, I was hooked like crackhead in a meth lab. We have lost that luster and the manufacture has seen the loss. They feel that it’s a dying trend and it just needs to go away. I’ve heard that in the industry. So why do they feel that way? Classes don’t appeal to the consumer. You need huge amps to be able to compete and they cost too much. Manufactures are not building these large amps because it’s too small of the sales pie to even break even. Yes there are a few manufactures that make these big amps. The manufacture are being hit hard and slowly cutting back, but in reality they are the big money spenders. There is no media coverage on paper or on the net for USACI. That’s why is dying off, because no media equals just another org like the others 50+ orgs. The smaller orgs get no coverage so they keep chugging along as being the next new great thing.

What is funny here is that so far, only the SPL guy's have replied. I think that this should go across the board for everyone. Money should be offered for everyone, and top prize should be for the top group. that is my .03 cents. .02 for my opinion, .01 for obama's 1 trillion dollar mess we are in...

Damn Joe now why did you have to throw politics in the mix.
Anyway speakin from the streetbeaters I personally think money is a good idea but if it's gonna take away from finals as it is now then i say no don't do it. The main thing that bugs mr is the point system an why have it if you still have to fork out the 150 entry fee why not make that half if you have your points?!!!
My rants really isn't about getting money don't really care about that I like the trophys an stickers you get for winning. So I am with you Ralph buddy I started in UsAci I will stop in Usaci. Not saying any other is bad just don't really care about them cause I love my Usaci.

Also I think streetbeaters should get belts for winning there class now that would be supa awesome.

I was just jokin Dave...LMAO...sorry...

I had points to go to both orginazations tis year, but only going to USACi. I already know that if my class has 5 competitors in it I will place 5th. I would have taken 3rd and maybe 2nd in the other, but I like the glamour and atmosphere that USACi draws. If you want to raise a little at events to give $$$ away at finals ok, but getting 200-300 is not going to do anything for what I've got in my system so what ever.

And Jimbo, This is my 1st year and I'm in Pro-Stock am I in the wrong class man?

you have a chance man im not on the right coils so you have a chance homie

street beaters can't get money unless its sb5 anyways same as stock

My few cents on this ....
1. Why not up the fee for competing a bit, say $5.00. $2.50 goes into a pot to be won at the end of the year by the top 3 people in that class, $2.50 goes to help cover costs of finals. So, if you have 0-600 people paying into that pot all year, it would be big at the end of the season.

Problem. Sounds good on paper, but when you have people who run 2-3 classes, that adds up quick; and in this economy, upping someone's cost by $10.00 - $15.00 a show is alot of money. I support the idea, but it needs to be refined a bit.

2. Why didn't I go to finals? I got laid off last Oct (almost a full year ago now) and have not been able to find work as an ER Technician anywhere in CT and some of the surrounding states. As such, I just can't afford to go from CT to OK for finals, I'm barely hanging on to my house LOL.

3. Stock people should move up? Some of us don't want walls and huge systems in our car. I like the idea of my system being 100% hidden and the car looking stock, rolling up next to some kid who has been driving up and down my road at 2-3am and blasting his stereo, rolling up my LC-1 and shaking his mirrors for him. I think stock is a valid class and takes alot of skill. It's not easy to design systems in 0-600 doing 150+ ... I have been trying for 2 seasons and finally pulled it off this season.