Forsaken,

I'm in the same boat. I would love to race, but two things stop me:

1. Money
2. Experience

While I do have HPDE days under my belt, racing is completely different. It's one thing to pass a car on a DE day that you know is slower than your car, but it's another thing to have to catch someone in front of you who has the exact or similar specs as you do; that's racing.

I'm going to make a financial plan to do racing, but in a couple of years from now. I also plan on doing some classes to learn/practice the techniques of passing, something you don't really learn from DE's or AutoX.

I would recommend looking into the karts. Keep your car to do DE's or AutoX (I'm not a fan of AutoX so forgive me if I don't mention it much), and then learn how to 'race' with the karts. Once you become proficient with karts, then move up to ITA or IT7 (or something similar).

Just my 2 cents, good luck!

...and that is why karting rocks! :)

great education in race craft and great practice.

Yep, I'm really starting to look hard at karting for next year (after I get the FD back on the road). There are a few karting tracks around me and it seems like they are now springing up everywhere.

It seems like a good way to get introduced into racing without completely putting you in the poor house. ;)

There is some very good advice beign given here. Especially listen to Bos, he knows....

Bos, see ya at the 25?

Marcus

Yup - running the 25 again this year. Last year was just TOO MUCH FUN. Be in a faster car this year - one we have been prepping for the last three months. Hope to see you there - look me up!

Most people will spend more but at a bare minimum:

It's the end of the season so you could find plenty of racecars for sale. You can find road race cars for sale with the trailer for $3000 but $5000 to $6000 will probably avoid some of the real basket cases.

Let's assume you'll need tires, brake rotors and pads, and other consumables for next season - $1000. I can make one set of tires and pads last a 10 sprint-race season but a novice will flatspot and trash a few tires and an expert will feel the tires go "off" and need new ones. And that doesn't count rain tires or spares in case you lose a tire.

You'll need around $1000 for the suit , helmet, etc. (double if you want HANS device) You'll need probably another $1000 to get your license. Then you can spend $500 per race in gas, hotel, and entry fees (SCCA is more expensive and several tracks in the northeast are raising the rates so the clubs will be raising entry fees too)

And that's if you don't need to replace any parts.


I started at about $12000 the first year and I average about $5000 per year since then. Most racers don't believe that I do it this cheaply but I believe that with good connections and smart planning it can be a little cheaper. (but not much)

ed

I have a serious question for those with experience. I promise this has nothing to do with "mad tyte dorifto," or "jdm," or anything of the sort.

Suppose I want to race Japanese series'. Whether it be Formula Nippon, Super Taikyu, whatever. What kind of experience are they looking for? I know you have to prove yourself by winning in lower level series', but around how much do you need? Additionally, if I'm serious and decide it's really what I want to do, would it overall be the best move to move to Japan to pursue it (Meaning is it possible to get picked up for races in Japan by racing in America)? Is pursuing racing over there the same as what you guys are describing as the American procedures (I know gas would be more expensive, but I mean as far as schools and such)?

Thanks

Its very similar, though they typically will look to Europe, rather than america for young racers, if they are looking outside of Japan.
With all pro series, the easy way is to make a pile of cash first and buy rides.

That extinguishes my knowledge on the japanese racing scene. (sorry!)

Marcus

Who's car? They haven't posted a driver's list yet...

See ya there, if I don't find you, our paddock spot will have my Pro7 (avatar), a white/blue #95 Pro7 and our 25 hour car, #68 black/white ITA first gen

Marcus

and pics of our newly completed ( kind of - needs paint) ITA/25 hour car
http://images.miller-motorsports.com...ldr=misc112705

Marcus