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#1 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Detroit, Michigan
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Racing today doesn't cost any more than it did 35 years ago. All you got and then some at times.
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#2 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Nineveh, Indiana
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Kyle, Brother, if you're starting from scratch, just expect to need more than you can expect. If you have buddies that can offer hand me downs, that's a plus. If you can wheel and deal, that goes a long ways, if you can scrounge, even better. Never, never turn down an outright gift, but a caveat to that, always be willing to help that person out in return, you'll learn, simple help can be appreciated. As far as a way to "simplify" a racing budget? Depends upon, A: the depth of your pockets, B: how you organise your expenses. New trucks, new trailers, they have payments, that's the major expense, maintaining them, at first is simpler. Used vehicles, still may have a payment, albeit smaller, here again, depth of pocket, ability to deal, maintenance will be more, on average. Buying a used race car? A good one will cost a lot of money. A less good one, will still cost a lot of money. Still have to maintain it, one of two things eventually come to bear, either something breaks (more than likely) or you want to make changes (go faster). Here again, depth of pockets, re-read first paragraph! I try to keep track of expenses, it's difficult to track every dime. I write a lot things in notebooks and keep folders with pertinent information and receipts. Trying to do proper accounting with drag racing, hope (unlike many guys today) you've got a lot of hair. Hope I don't come off as too much of a smart *****, welcome to the asylum. Hope to see you in the lanes.
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Robert Swartz - Swartz & Lane 66 Chevy II Pro 95 Achieva EF/SA, 78 Mustang II U/SA (work in progress) #354 stock Last edited by Robert Swartz; 05-27-2013 at 07:51 PM. |
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#3 |
VIP Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Arcadia, Ca
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The quickest way for a racer to end up with a million dollars is to start with two million dollars
Seriously - $35,000 for a car $15,000 for a trailer and race track kit $20,000 for a tow vehicle $1200 every race Plus expendables For starters but after you get "hooked" plan on double that It can and has been done for less - it is a constant hole which needs to be filled all of the time Ron
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time is our most precious resource, you can always make more money but you can never make more time spend your time wisely with the ones you love - Ron Durham Last edited by Andys dad; 05-27-2013 at 06:14 PM. |
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#4 |
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Arizona, Texan forever
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Ron, You are pretty close. In my most "active" year of racing, it cost $235 for every trip down the drag strip....that included entry, fuel, tires, and other minor expenses for the car. Fortunately, we have not had a $20,000 engine catastrophe or significant transmission failure. I wouldn't do anything differently, but their is nothing cheap about racing a Super Stock Car.
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Gary Hansen - SS/FA 4911, B/SA 4911 |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Dunnellon,FL
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What budget?
You just spend and spend until you're racing or you're broke or both! JimR
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Jim Rountree |
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#6 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Elkin, NC
Posts: 671
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Well said.......
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Mack Reeves 2377 STOCK & SUPER STOCK |
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#7 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Savannah, GA
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As nice as it would be to buy everything new, that ain't happening! A new truck/van would be nice, but they're just as expensive as a good car now a days. It's ridiculous what they charge for them now a days!
$15k for a trailer/ race track kit? Wow! I figured I could get an open trailer, a van, load it up & go! I knew racing wasn't cheap, but wow!!
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Kyle Griffith |
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#8 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toms River NJ
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Dennis P Chapman 1904 STK NHRA National Record Holder Car Owner. |
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#9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 977
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Without going into the expenses of the car. Here is the breakdown of getting from home to the track and back home.
1- Fill truck with fuel $110 2- Fill truck again before getting to track $110 3- Divisional entry fee plus 1 crew member $210 4- T/T entry $60 5- 5-8 gallons of fuel for car for the 3 days, bought in 55 gallon bulk Sunoco 110. $8 a gallon 6- Gasoline for generator between 10-15 gal if running A/C 7- Fill truck when we get close to home or get home. $110 The list above is from our divisional race that is a 4.5 hr tow. Depending on how close tracks are to you, the closest for me is 1 hr, all others are 3.5 plus. We have an enclosed with living quarters, otherwise camping, or a hotel would need to be added. Planning and budgeting are a must. All of our stuff is paid for. The dually was bought used with low mileage before I bought an open trailer, sold open trailer, and bought living quarters trailer, and would never go back to what we had before. But you have to start somewhere, make sure that your tow vehicle is more than adequate for the job, and you will not regret it. You do not have to go out and buy a new $40,000+ truck. The car may not be the biggest expense looking at the big picture. The entry fee's, and fuel are huge expenses without taking into account food, oil, slicks, tow vehicle and trailer tires. I am not trying to scare the hell out of you but just down to earth real world numbers. It does not matter if you race a 20 sec stocker or a 6 sec comp car we all have the same entry fee's. Good luck Sean
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Sean Marconette 84 Mustang 5060 SS/N Last edited by Sean Marconette; 05-27-2013 at 09:57 PM. |
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#10 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Savannah, GA
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Thanks for all of the great advice!
When you guys were starting out, did you race what you already had & drive to the track & then buy a tow rig? I am definitely leaning towards a used Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter, (mainly for the Mercedes deisel motor, I'm 6'3" and I love the 78" stand up height in the back) so I can throw stuff in the back & not have to worry about thievery as much as with a pick-up, and an open trailer for the car. My current daily driver is a Honda S2000, which isn't in the Guide of course. I would like to keep running it, but it's going to need money put into it, even for just driving on the street. Should I just get out of it now and get something that is more race-ready?
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Kyle Griffith |
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