QwanSanchez

The more i look into doing open track racing the more and more it looks like its going to be a bizillion times more expensive the drag racing.So it got me to think how much do you spend each year to go road racing? (track fees, membership, safety equipment, car equipment, etc.)

DRFTwizard

Well you only have to spend money on safety equipment about every 5 years depending on if it's FIA rated not. FIA rated stuff is certified longer. It is a pretty significant initial investment but I would recommend having all the necessary equipment for DE's as well. Safety equipment is definitely not where you want to buy the cheep stuff. I'm not gonna say exactly how much we spend a year on racing but with one car we spend easily over 10k. With two cars the price doesn't go up that much but obviously there is more money involved with towing the car and also tires, and general maintanence items. Ask anybody that went to nationals and they will probably tell you they spent anywhere from $3500 to $7500 for the 4 day event. It is expensive but if you get into a series like SPEC E30 it's not so bad. Racing in 944 cup is an entirely different story. They won't do standing starts because god knows how much it would cost to replace one of their cute little transaxles.

getfast

Hmmmm. Anywhere between $10k and $100k a season, not counting the purchase of the car itself (or a truck & trailer) - ??? - I dunno. There are many variables in the answer to that question.

Are you talking about actual roadracing with a dedicated car that will require a truck & trailer, or just HPDE'ing/TT'ing in something street legal? If you're talking about racing, are you trying to run up front or just be on the track in general? Are you doing an event every two weeks or a few a year to keep your license? Will you be staying in region or traveling to faraway tracks? Will you need a pit crew? Will you be staying in hotels? And are you using a fast car, a reliable car, or a cheap car? (Pick two, hahaha.)

One thing to consider is that any of these choices will provide a bazillion times more seat time than drag racing, and a bazillion times more fun too (IMHO.)

Very interesting topic,

Jon

Victum

uhh prolly whatever it costs to race lol... id rather do track time then constant modding... i like to see how fast i am, not the car.

QwanSanchez

Ya I guess my original question was a little to broad. I'm refering to drivng a midly modded car (more cheap and realiable then fast) in such things as HPDE's and open track events(do they even have open track events were you can just run what you brung?) And possiable staying in a hotel once or twice. I'd mainly be hitting uo VIR, MIR and Summit. I live in NoVA(fairfax) in the fall winter and spring and Penninsula(Hampton) during the summer so i'm hoping most events are within driving distance. I guess my biggest concern is that i'm a poor college student for the time being driving a car that wasnt really made for the road course(96 GT) so i'm starting to wonder if i will even have enough money to make setting my car up for the open track worth it.

I mean going to the strip is any where from like 20-40$ through the gate form what i can tell with open track its several hundred dollars to get starte(safety gear, SCCA or NASA membership, etc.) and the $100+ more for the actual event itself. You can see my delima(sp)

Rich

Larry- If you are gonna use the STi then you will prob just start with some decent brake pads/Dot4 fluid. Maybe get a better track suited tire after getting some experience on street tires. This would only be after getting experience with several HPDE's. If you are gonna start with HPDE's (which is fun) then figure on spending 300-500 dollars entry fee for a weekend event. Hotel rooms depend on quality and area of course. Food, you prob' only eat a handful of Cheerios a day. Expect to drop $1000 for a weekend HPDE on average.

I dropped $4000 for wheels/tires, $2500 for a trailer, $2000 on safety gear (harness bar, helmet, harnesses) and whatever hotels cost me. I plan on doing 4-5 HPDE events this year. Come check us out one weekend and catch a ride with an instructor. I can take you out during parade laps, but it's not the same of course.

getfast

Yes, but you need to have significant HPDE experience (i.e. HPDE Group 3 Advanced, passing in corners without an instructor) to get into 'em.

There's something going on at VIR or Summit almost every weekend from March thru Oct. You're never more than a few hours from either one of 'em.


That's 20-40 bucks at the dragstrip for what, 1-2 minutes worth of seat time? Even if it's 2 minutes for 20 bucks, that's still $10 per minute. HPDE's are more like $3 per minute, and autocrosses are like $5 per minute. Think about it like that and it makes a lot more sense IMHO.

HPDE's won't cost you too much money at first, and will make you a better driver until you can afford to go racing. You can do 'em in an almost totally stock car at first, and borrow a helmet. They also aren't particularly hard on the car until you start going fast. NASA membership is $40 a year. You can also become a NASA worker/official and earn credits for free track time. And you can autocross in the meantime, which is still way cheaper than drag racing (and dare I say not as hard on the car either.)

Long story short, don't get discouraged just because you can't afford to go wheel to wheel roadracing right now. There are PLENTY of related things you can do in the meantime for less money.

Good luck,

Jon

QwanSanchez

1000$ for a weekend? Holy crap....

getfast

That's definitely in the ballpark... but remember it is SEVERAL HOURS of track time, with an instructor at first, probably the best money you will ever spend on your car. I'd break it down like:

Entry fee $350
Gas $150
Camping/food/etc $100
Tires & brakes maybe $200-$500 depending upon what you run (less at first, more the faster you go)

Plus whatever else you wear out or break on the car (chassis, suspension, driveline, whatever.) Plus fluid changes more frequently than usual.

You can usually borrow a helmet from the sanctioning body (NASA has plenty of loaners) or a buddy, but you'll need your own if you do more of 'em.

Hotels with comfy beds and hot showers > camping.

And real food > cheerios and tapwater.

Jon

QwanSanchez

Lol i'm not doubt that you get more seat time by far on open track then in the strip, i'm just simpley stating that whether i got 5 hours or 100hours i just dont have 1000$ to spend on track time being a poor college student. I guess i'll have to stick to the strip until after i get out of college and get a job.