The Cost of Racing
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Go Hard....or Go Home
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Toronto
The Cost of Racing
I just thought for fun I would post what a typical weekend would cost a typical regional racer. I am lucky because of my sponsors I dont have incur all the costs out of my pocket, but here would be a typical breakdown, assuming you didnt damage or crash your car.
Entry fee day for 2 days $ 350.00
Fuel for car $ 100.00
Fuel for tow vehicle $ 75.00
Wear on race tires $ 333.00 Based on 33% of the tires racing life
Wear on brakes $ 200.00 Based on 20% of the brakes racing life
Fluids $ 100.00
Feeding Crew $ 100.00
Misc costs $ 150.00
Total $ 1408.00
Just to give you an idea if you were to run a pro series it would climb to between $8000.00 - $10,000.00 a weekend if you didnt crash or damage your car.
**FYI when we were checking the car doing or compression checks etc, we noticed the alternator wire had broken off............another $100.00 to rebuild the fried alternator please lol. Imagine if the race had been about another 10 minutes long............OH MY!
Entry fee day for 2 days $ 350.00
Fuel for car $ 100.00
Fuel for tow vehicle $ 75.00
Wear on race tires $ 333.00 Based on 33% of the tires racing life
Wear on brakes $ 200.00 Based on 20% of the brakes racing life
Fluids $ 100.00
Feeding Crew $ 100.00
Misc costs $ 150.00
Total $ 1408.00
Just to give you an idea if you were to run a pro series it would climb to between $8000.00 - $10,000.00 a weekend if you didnt crash or damage your car.
**FYI when we were checking the car doing or compression checks etc, we noticed the alternator wire had broken off............another $100.00 to rebuild the fried alternator please lol. Imagine if the race had been about another 10 minutes long............OH MY!
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 719
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From: Kingston Ontario
For a "big" Rally Weekend-300km race:
Entry Fee 2 Regional $500.00
Fuel $250
Tires $400
Maintenance/Repairs $ 400.00
Food $200
Hotel $200
Misc $100
This is if I don't stuff it too bad.
But its an amazing feeling even to finish a race.
Entry Fee 2 Regional $500.00
Fuel $250
Tires $400
Maintenance/Repairs $ 400.00
Food $200
Hotel $200
Misc $100
This is if I don't stuff it too bad.
But its an amazing feeling even to finish a race.
Thread Starter
Go Hard....or Go Home
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,344
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From: Toronto
No you just have to love doing it that much to make that kind of commitment. I only posted that because I have been asked a number of times what it actually costs. Now that I figured it out........................I COULD HAVE BEEN RETIRED BY NOW!
Trending Topics
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,162
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From: London, Ontario, Canada
Same here. Given that I already have another car in working order, if I had not bought the 7 and sunk so much money into it I could have a house too. However I'm a trucker and am not home enough to really enjoy having my own house. But whats the first thing I see when I get back from a long run? My kickass RX-7.
And this is one of the big reasons autocross is such a good idea. $25 gets you out competing and thrashing your car. A set of tires lasts a season and there's very few things you can smash your car into. Surely not the same as circuit racing, but fun none the less.
And this is one of the big reasons autocross is such a good idea. $25 gets you out competing and thrashing your car. A set of tires lasts a season and there's very few things you can smash your car into. Surely not the same as circuit racing, but fun none the less.
I hear you on that one ... I have been saving pretty much all the bills that I've spend on the car and last year or so I ended up adding them up already upward of 20'gs .... including the cost of 3 shells. I could of had a very nice and very long vacation somewhere ... but you having fun at a few tracks all that just gets cleared out.
Also its not as bad if you just do the odd lapping days, and auto X's ... fee's aren't that bad, but what still gets you is the gas money. They're nothing thats usually too close to where you are.
Also its not as bad if you just do the odd lapping days, and auto X's ... fee's aren't that bad, but what still gets you is the gas money. They're nothing thats usually too close to where you are.
One of the biggest problems is that racing is addicting... much more so than autocross or Solo I. Once you start, it's hard to give it up. For most people, eventually some combinaion of career, marriage, kids and mortgage will eat up the time, money and energy needed to continue racing.
But the addiction remains..
For those that can't decide: "You can sleep in your car, but you can't drive a house."
If any of you want to try racing, consider something like the Bridgestone Racing Academy or Jim Russell School. You can buy a 3-day course for $4,000. (qualifies you for your race licence)
While this sounds like a lot of money, consider what 01Racing said at the start of the thread - $1,400 for a regional weekend. For that he usually gets a practice, a qualilfying session and 2 races for maybe 2 hours of track time or $700/hr. And he owns the car, trailer and tools and has to have a place to keep all of that stuff. So the real cost is much higher. And, had to do all the work involved in preparing the car and in getting to and from the track.
At a school, you'll get so much time in the car that you'll almost be too tired to drive home on the third day. I estimate 8 hrs in the car, (or 4 regional weekends) based on 3 schools I have done over the years. That works out to $500/hr in some one else's car. You walk up and drive, then leave it all behind, when you go home. And, if you decide that wheel-to-wheel racing is not for you, you walk away. If you want to continue - you've just had some great coaching and substantial experience.
But the addiction remains..
For those that can't decide: "You can sleep in your car, but you can't drive a house."
If any of you want to try racing, consider something like the Bridgestone Racing Academy or Jim Russell School. You can buy a 3-day course for $4,000. (qualifies you for your race licence)
While this sounds like a lot of money, consider what 01Racing said at the start of the thread - $1,400 for a regional weekend. For that he usually gets a practice, a qualilfying session and 2 races for maybe 2 hours of track time or $700/hr. And he owns the car, trailer and tools and has to have a place to keep all of that stuff. So the real cost is much higher. And, had to do all the work involved in preparing the car and in getting to and from the track.
At a school, you'll get so much time in the car that you'll almost be too tired to drive home on the third day. I estimate 8 hrs in the car, (or 4 regional weekends) based on 3 schools I have done over the years. That works out to $500/hr in some one else's car. You walk up and drive, then leave it all behind, when you go home. And, if you decide that wheel-to-wheel racing is not for you, you walk away. If you want to continue - you've just had some great coaching and substantial experience.
Last edited by DynoDragon; May 23, 2009 at 09:11 PM. Reason: correct reference
Rotary Freak
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 9
From: Oakville, Ontario
Great Thread !!!!!
Okay guys lets compare.
Running the Cougar in CCTCC versus the RX7 in CASC Regionals;
#9 ST Cougar
Entry fee day for 2 days $ 500.00
Amortized Series Entry Fee $40.00
Amortized ASN-FIA License $25.00
Amortized safety equipment $ 45.00
Fuel for car $ 400.00
Fuel for tow vehicle $ 250.00
Wear on race tires $ 333.00 Based on 33% of the tires racing life
Wear on brakes $ 300.00 Based on 20% of the brakes racing life
Wear on Engine $ 200.00 Based on 2% of the engines racing life
Wear on gearbox $ 250.00 Based on 10% of the gearbox dogring life
Fluids $ 100.00
Feeding Crew $ 300.00
Hotel $ 400.00
Misc costs $ 150.00
Total $ 3293.00 (assuming all maintenance done by your own crew)
Most teams are budgeting $ 4000.00 - $ 5000.00 per weekend which makes the minimum cost to run the series $32,000.
#23 GT4 RX7
Entry fee day for 2 days $ 350.00
License amortization $ 20.00
Fuel for car $ 100.00
Fuel for tow vehicle $ 75.00
Wear on race tires $ 200.00 Based on 25% of the tires racing life (my cost is cheaper as I use Toyo's)
Wear on brakes $ 200.00 Based on 20% of the brakes racing life
Fluids $ 100.00
Feeding Crew $ 100.00
Misc costs $ 150.00
Total $ 1295.00 (total cost to run full series $ 10,360. I didn't include hotels as there are only 2 races where I don't stay at home and the hotel bills are less than $ 150.00 per night)
Looking at the above and understanding that Al, maybe has close to $ 50,000 in his car. I have close to $ 40,000 in my RX7 (as we have developed most of the car ourselves) and as I bought the Cougar used (always a better deal) I have about $ 25,000 in the Cougar. Add to that the cost of a trailer ($ 2,500), tow vehicle $ 5,000 minimum and tools (mine are insured for $ 50,000 and you have a ton of investment.
To go Regional racing for 1 year for a newbie would run you;
Car - $ 10,000 for a decent car
Running Costs - $ 10,660
Tow Vehicle - $ 5,000
Trailer - $ 2,500
Safety Equipment - $1,500
Basic Tools - $ 1,000
Total - $ 30,660
(this explains to me why a number of people would rather rent than own)
Seeing as I have been doing this since 1982 who knows how much I have spent.
Racing is a passion. I have seen many men go bankrupt, loose their families, jobs, everything. I have learned what I need to spend to go racing and trust me when I say that even then I am still tempted to spend tons more each year to buy the latest thing to go faster or look cooler.
Why do I do it?
Everybody has their own reasons, but for me there is a tremendous feeling that comes from a confluence of factors and it happens about once a race where everything works perfectly. It is just a period of time when everything else disappears and it is just you out there. There is no car. I can feel the tires biting the pavement. I can feel each power impulse. The visuals are stronger, the noises more focused, my mind is totally focused. There is nothing else like that buzz for me.
Watch the movie Le Mans. That is the closest representation to real racing that I have ever seen. Drifting, Solo etc... just don't create the same emotional tie in for me.
Thanks Al for starting this thread.
Eric
Running the Cougar in CCTCC versus the RX7 in CASC Regionals;
#9 ST Cougar
Entry fee day for 2 days $ 500.00
Amortized Series Entry Fee $40.00
Amortized ASN-FIA License $25.00
Amortized safety equipment $ 45.00
Fuel for car $ 400.00
Fuel for tow vehicle $ 250.00
Wear on race tires $ 333.00 Based on 33% of the tires racing life
Wear on brakes $ 300.00 Based on 20% of the brakes racing life
Wear on Engine $ 200.00 Based on 2% of the engines racing life
Wear on gearbox $ 250.00 Based on 10% of the gearbox dogring life
Fluids $ 100.00
Feeding Crew $ 300.00
Hotel $ 400.00
Misc costs $ 150.00
Total $ 3293.00 (assuming all maintenance done by your own crew)
Most teams are budgeting $ 4000.00 - $ 5000.00 per weekend which makes the minimum cost to run the series $32,000.
#23 GT4 RX7
Entry fee day for 2 days $ 350.00
License amortization $ 20.00
Fuel for car $ 100.00
Fuel for tow vehicle $ 75.00
Wear on race tires $ 200.00 Based on 25% of the tires racing life (my cost is cheaper as I use Toyo's)
Wear on brakes $ 200.00 Based on 20% of the brakes racing life
Fluids $ 100.00
Feeding Crew $ 100.00
Misc costs $ 150.00
Total $ 1295.00 (total cost to run full series $ 10,360. I didn't include hotels as there are only 2 races where I don't stay at home and the hotel bills are less than $ 150.00 per night)
Looking at the above and understanding that Al, maybe has close to $ 50,000 in his car. I have close to $ 40,000 in my RX7 (as we have developed most of the car ourselves) and as I bought the Cougar used (always a better deal) I have about $ 25,000 in the Cougar. Add to that the cost of a trailer ($ 2,500), tow vehicle $ 5,000 minimum and tools (mine are insured for $ 50,000 and you have a ton of investment.
To go Regional racing for 1 year for a newbie would run you;
Car - $ 10,000 for a decent car
Running Costs - $ 10,660
Tow Vehicle - $ 5,000
Trailer - $ 2,500
Safety Equipment - $1,500
Basic Tools - $ 1,000
Total - $ 30,660
(this explains to me why a number of people would rather rent than own)
Seeing as I have been doing this since 1982 who knows how much I have spent.
Racing is a passion. I have seen many men go bankrupt, loose their families, jobs, everything. I have learned what I need to spend to go racing and trust me when I say that even then I am still tempted to spend tons more each year to buy the latest thing to go faster or look cooler.
Why do I do it?
Everybody has their own reasons, but for me there is a tremendous feeling that comes from a confluence of factors and it happens about once a race where everything works perfectly. It is just a period of time when everything else disappears and it is just you out there. There is no car. I can feel the tires biting the pavement. I can feel each power impulse. The visuals are stronger, the noises more focused, my mind is totally focused. There is nothing else like that buzz for me.
Watch the movie Le Mans. That is the closest representation to real racing that I have ever seen. Drifting, Solo etc... just don't create the same emotional tie in for me.
Thanks Al for starting this thread.
Eric
I'd just like to add two little sayings that always stuck with me. First was from an old friend who drag's his 98 trans am (8 second car)
"If you want to start racing and you're not sure if you want to do it. Take 2 $100 bills out of your pocket. Walk to the bathroom, and flush them down the toilet. If that doesn't phase you then go load up and head to the track"
And the best:
"The only way to make a small fortune in racing, is to start with a very large one"
"If you want to start racing and you're not sure if you want to do it. Take 2 $100 bills out of your pocket. Walk to the bathroom, and flush them down the toilet. If that doesn't phase you then go load up and head to the track"
And the best:
"The only way to make a small fortune in racing, is to start with a very large one"
I use "the only way to make a small fortune" line all the time.
Another good one a racing friend on mine told me... Racing is the fine art of turning money into noise.
I need to re-run my numbers and contribute a more detailed build. Down here, I have less weekends to amortize the costs across, but on a seasonal basis it also means I don't replace breaks etc. as often. (i.e. I can get two seasons from a set.)
Another good one a racing friend on mine told me... Racing is the fine art of turning money into noise.
I need to re-run my numbers and contribute a more detailed build. Down here, I have less weekends to amortize the costs across, but on a seasonal basis it also means I don't replace breaks etc. as often. (i.e. I can get two seasons from a set.)
BEMC Race Orginizer 2006
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Actually what I get from this is what a great deal CASC Regional Racing is.
I can't imagine why anyone would want to chase a white ball around a big field but lots of guys spend more than $10,000 a year to golf.
Anyone’s kids are seriously into hockey?
What about owning a horse?
Or just docking a sailboat?
Skiing on a real mountain even once a year?
Let’s not even talk about owning a cottage.
Of course all of these are out of my league so I’ll stick to corner marshalling while Al and Eric race.
I can't imagine why anyone would want to chase a white ball around a big field but lots of guys spend more than $10,000 a year to golf.
Anyone’s kids are seriously into hockey?
What about owning a horse?
Or just docking a sailboat?
Skiing on a real mountain even once a year?
Let’s not even talk about owning a cottage.
Of course all of these are out of my league so I’ll stick to corner marshalling while Al and Eric race.
Polo.
You have to own at least 8 race horses....and be able to ride them.
You play on a field the size of 3 football fields...yah.
Competitive Sailing.
The cost of the sailboat alone rapes a whole season of racing. lol
You have to own at least 8 race horses....and be able to ride them.
You play on a field the size of 3 football fields...yah.
Competitive Sailing.
The cost of the sailboat alone rapes a whole season of racing. lol
That's why karting is a great alternative, especailly with a rotx class. You get a "sealed" rotary karting engine so everyone is on the same baseline and away you guy. here the driver makes more difference than the budget. Ooooh, at at my 220 lbs the weight of the driver is a big factor as well. I did karting 20 years ago and it was a blast!!!!
Joining the rotory ranks.
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Calgary AB
Also if you don't want to strike up and buy a kart, Autocross is also a cheap way to boost your driving ability and have some fun/make some new friends. It's low competition but huge rush.
Usual costs for my autocross trip
Entry $30.00
Tires $600.00 one time purchess (decent set of khumos and one set should last you the year) scratch that if you're ok running allseasons or put it at close to double if you decide to run R-comps
Gas $50.00
Total w/o tires $80.00 (a full day of fun for that? can't be beat in my book)
Usual costs for my autocross trip
Entry $30.00
Tires $600.00 one time purchess (decent set of khumos and one set should last you the year) scratch that if you're ok running allseasons or put it at close to double if you decide to run R-comps
Gas $50.00
Total w/o tires $80.00 (a full day of fun for that? can't be beat in my book)
yep... i'm really enjoying my first foray into motorsports doing autocross with the TLMC. As I get my car more sorted, i'll step up to lapping days, but i don't think i'll go much further than that. I can get my thrills that way, but i don't have the stomach for spending 1000's each weekend on racing. I might eventually try a driving school... but i think i'd better cough up the dough to take my wife on a proper vacation first!
Rotary Freak
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,199
Likes: 9
From: Oakville, Ontario
"Actually what I get from this is what a great deal CASC Regional Racing is.
I can't imagine why anyone would want to chase a white ball around a big field but lots of guys spend more than $10,000 a year to golf.
Anyone’s kids are seriously into hockey?
What about owning a horse?
Or just docking a sailboat?
Skiing on a real mountain even once a year?
Let’s not even talk about owning a cottage.
Of course all of these are out of my league so I’ll stick to corner marshalling while Al and Eric race. "
Bruce, again you make it all real. This is so true. Last year we took a 1 week trip to Orlando to see the mouse. We have been doing it for years and most times we go twice a year. We rent a townhouse and eat breakfast and about half the dinners in the townhouse. We are also Disney Annual Pass holders and we fly out of Buffalo to save money, even so each trip runs close to $8,000 when you add it all up.
Regional racing is still a very cost effective way to spend excess $$$$$. Its tons of fun and very relaxed. You only put as much stress on yourself as you want. I have a great time, scare myself at least once a race. Go freakin' fast safely and at the end of the weekend just feel wiped out from the fun.
Come on out this weekend (Friday test day & Sunday) as I will be running the #23 RX7 in GT4 and seeing how fast we can make it go. I am shooting for a low 1:37 if the tires are working at all well. After this weekend I will be running the Cougar in most events and my team mate will be running the RX7 in GT5.
Bruce, I still think you are wasted out on the corners. I loved the events you put on and I am a member of BEMC just because of your caring about the racers. Drop by on Sunday, if you get a chance and say hi.
Eric
I can't imagine why anyone would want to chase a white ball around a big field but lots of guys spend more than $10,000 a year to golf.
Anyone’s kids are seriously into hockey?
What about owning a horse?
Or just docking a sailboat?
Skiing on a real mountain even once a year?
Let’s not even talk about owning a cottage.
Of course all of these are out of my league so I’ll stick to corner marshalling while Al and Eric race. "
Bruce, again you make it all real. This is so true. Last year we took a 1 week trip to Orlando to see the mouse. We have been doing it for years and most times we go twice a year. We rent a townhouse and eat breakfast and about half the dinners in the townhouse. We are also Disney Annual Pass holders and we fly out of Buffalo to save money, even so each trip runs close to $8,000 when you add it all up.
Regional racing is still a very cost effective way to spend excess $$$$$. Its tons of fun and very relaxed. You only put as much stress on yourself as you want. I have a great time, scare myself at least once a race. Go freakin' fast safely and at the end of the weekend just feel wiped out from the fun.
Come on out this weekend (Friday test day & Sunday) as I will be running the #23 RX7 in GT4 and seeing how fast we can make it go. I am shooting for a low 1:37 if the tires are working at all well. After this weekend I will be running the Cougar in most events and my team mate will be running the RX7 in GT5.
Bruce, I still think you are wasted out on the corners. I loved the events you put on and I am a member of BEMC just because of your caring about the racers. Drop by on Sunday, if you get a chance and say hi.
Eric
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