Psimet2001 

I posted this over on Facebook but I thought I'd jump in here to see what opinions were like

If you want to pay out and you consciously decided not to stick around and collect it and you didn't mention anything to the race staff is it the races obligation to track you down to get you the money or is it your obligation to seek out that payout?

There are tons of people who are extremely emotional about this issue on both sides. It's weird but people get super weird when it comes to money.

Discuss.

canuckbelle

I vote contact USAC to get the person's mailing address, and send them the cheque.

gsteinb

If you don't tell the promoter you're leaving and make arrangements, unless it's a series, you're out the money.

The idea that the promoter needs to track people down is ridiculous.

Wylde06

Ive never been in the position to collect a payout, but I think you should have to be present. If you skip out early and you knew you were in the money then you forfeit the check. Ive even seen it on some flyers that you need to be present

echappist

bingo

easy enough to write to the promoter, and if one really needs that payout, well, hopefully one can be bothered to pen a 3-line response with the address included...

Psimet2001 

I have had years where I tracked everyone down then some never even cash the check. I have had years where everyone who left then told me to keep the payouts.

Just thinking about it today because I have a payout on my desk from a cross race I ran in November. Part of the Chicago series. Payout belongs to a guy who has been a sponsor of the entire series before. He has won payouts for years. He has won payouts from me at least 8-10 times. He never picks them up and always contacts me long after the fact to have a check mailed to him. He never contacted me this year.

Mail it or f him for never picking up his check and making it always my problem. (Fwiw it's only $40) and pretty sure he gets comp'd entries for the series every year.

globecanvas

Of course it's the racer's obligation to pick up the check or leave an address.


Having said that, the one time I left a mailing address for a payout (because the results weren't posted hours after the race) I never got the check, and although it wasn't like rent or dialysis money, it never leaves a good impression to not get money you should have gotten.

TheKillerPenguin

I think that if a racer put actual contact info on their release form the promoter could shoot them an email to see what's up. Alternatively many promoters shoot out a thank you email after a race is finished, they could just put out a general alert that there are payouts that need to be claimed and that it is on the racer to be in touch within x number of days.

gsteinb

It's still another thing for the promoter to do. There are these checks left over, what races, check the results, pull the releases look up contact info, send emails....

It simply perpetuates entitled racer syndrome. If you want to get paid, show up to results, have a friend bring your number, or make other arrangements.

hack

I feel it's on the racer to hang around and collect. At worst, check in with the director to let them know you're leaving and you'll leave a mailing address. Directors have other things to worry about.

carpediemracing 

+1

If it's a friendly racer or a friend of mine I'll put the prize money envelope in my gear bag and give it to them at some later race in the season.

I've also gotten prize money from a promoter a year or two after the fact. We laughed about it.

Andy STi

I agree it's up to the racer to stick around and pick it up. Conversly, I am still waiting for some GC money from a stage race I won in April. Results were not final by the time I needed to drive home and the promoter said the money would be mailed. I need to email him this week.

Doge

No. Some USAC rules say as much. Don't show up - don't get paid. Of course - I think it would be better to make clear attending is required for payment. The thing is protests often make things take a very long time.

8A5(k)Failure to attend official ceremonies when required - Forfeiture ofprizes $70 fine and forfeiture of prizes

gsteinb

"I left for my kid's lacrosse game and got fined $70"

that'll go over big

topflightpro

I agree with Gary. It's on the racer to get his or her payout.

Im not tracking someone down to mail them a check.

I could see this being different with big regional or national races, but not for a local race.

caloso

What he said.

rubiksoval

I agree with this.

Though once I did an out of state race and finished like 14th or something. I thought it only paid 10 deep and left, only to have the RD email me a few days later asking for my address to send me a check. I really appreciated that but definitely wouldn't expect it and I apologized for my error.

asgelle

8A5(k) Failure to attend official ceremonies when required
C,D,&E 1 Day events: Forfeiture of prizes
A &B 1 Day events: $70 fine and forfeiture of prizes
Stage Races (and other multi-day events): $70 fine and forfeiture of prize

There's no fine except for top level races.

hack

If Doge is there, it's a top level race.

mattm

The racer's address is on their USAC release they signed to race - why not mail the check there?

That is if it's over say $30.. otherwise F it I say.

I mean people should still pick up their money - it's not hard - but still.

Doge

The OP was not asking about payouts. C,D races are common. Like many rules I don't like, I wish they would enforce them and then if everyone found they were "bad" they'd change. there seems to be (in SoCal) an expectation the promoter should do more clerical work and send a check. they should not.
This is of course a personal opinion, but I think podiums should be respected. When a rider no-shows, I wouldn't think they should be paid. This is more of an "issue" (opinion again) with teams where rider podiums, teammates don't stick around, put want to be paid later.

Doge

Because it is against the rules :-) ?

spdntrxi

the fine for not picking up your money, should be they get to keep it...

spectastic

when I was in Kansas visiting my mom, I did well at one of the races, but they didn't have the payouts for some reason. Because I was leaving in a few days, I gave them my address, and they surprising mailed me my check. But this was because I asked about it, and they brought that up as a solution, and we settled upon that. If I hadn't talked to them, I doubt they would've gone out of their way to mail it to my Texas address.

aaronmcd

Until this thread I never considered the possibility of mailing a check. Last year I got 4th at Golden State Circuit Race but had to run. Just gave the nearest teammate my number and told him to keep whatever measly bits they gave for 4th. Funny thing I realized I had forgotten to pay my entry fee so Paypaled it to them later.