A Look at the Business Side of Race Production at Winfield, KS

 

 

     The racetrack at the Cowley County Fairgrounds at Winfield, Kansas is on property owned by the City of Winfield.  Proposals for use of the racetrack had to be brought before the Winfield city commission.  In a precedent dating back at least to the early 1950s, city commissioners restricted use of the race track to the county fair board and local civic organizations wishing to produce events as a means of raising funds for said organizations.  Proposals by individuals wishing to stage racing events on the racetrack were routinely turned down.
     While I have not learned what arrangement the Lions club and
Joe Collins had with the City of Winfield, I am somewhat familiar with the financial arrangements involving the City of Winfield; Spencer - Yarbrough Post #3544, V.F.W.; the Winfield Jaycees; and the racing fraternity to run stock car races on the racetrack 1967-1971:

Grandstand Ticket Sales:
            45% to the sponsoring civic organization for production expenses and, hopefully, some profit
            45% to the purse as prize money for the participants
            10% to the City of Winfield for rent and racetrack preparation

Pit Pass Sales:
            100% to the sponsoring civic organization to cover the insurance premium of $160.00 per race date.  Money left over went to the civic organization.  Any shortfall to pay the insurance had to be made up by the civic organization.

Concession Sales:
            100% to the sponsoring civic organization for concession supplies and, hopefully, some profit




Return to page one of the History of Auto Racing at Winfield website.