Some pro road racers say that the operating cost of running a full season hitting every race, is about equal to the purchase cost of a new car. In other words, buy a new $100,000 Grand Am car and run every race, and spend another $25,000 for the season. Buy a $5000 IT car, run a dozen races, and spend $5000 operating costs.

I know this is just a rough rule of thumb, not a hard and fast formula. But, if you are a new comer with no racing experience, this rule of thumb will help you budget and see if you can really afford racing. Most racers try and run in a class that is over their head financially, and they don't do very well. That is why only a few guys are at the front, and most everyone else is farther back.

That is a very nice formula and it seems to hold true , at least for racing I have done.