Racing budget?

[442OLDS]

Originally Posted by Sean Marconette

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

This is very well said,but some may not realize how the sport has changed.

In 1994,I got my first Runner Up at a Divisional race.The entry was $75,Gas was $1.31 a gallon,and the payout with contingency was higher than today in 2013.

What went wrong?

[Billy Nees]

When I first met Michael he didn't have 2 dimes to rub together but he had(has) a great passion to race. He's done OK in spite of himself.
Bottom line, how much do you know about the mechanics of a car? How much do you know about Drag Racing and S/SS racing? Are you willing to learn and work? The more that you can do yourself, the less it costs. The more good friends that you have, the less it costs. The smaller your ego, the less it costs.
Entry fees, membership fees and traveling expenses are all pretty much set. You can get there in a half a million dollars worth of coach and trailer or a 20 year old truck and open trailer but what ever you are towing with, it had better be in good shape because you don't want to get stuck out on the road. The best way to not be around long is to race "over your head". Good luck and (what ever you do) have fun.

[Michael Colaluca]

You can get an older motor home fairly cheap these days. With a combo that will not break the bank it can be accomplished within a reasonable budget. Obviously if you want to run a hemi, be prepared to spend what it costs to purchase a house. The more you know and can do on your own, the better off you will be. Just make sure in whatever goal you set, it can be achieved with the budget you set forth.

[Dan Fahey]

YUP these are some of the same cost for me as a Pure Stocker and Driving to the Track.

Richmond Race:
Renting Lift at Friends Gas Station and prep car before racing = $50
Motel: $120 per night most places = $240 includes taxes.
Food/Drink: $30 per day = $60 more with drinks at the restaurant.
Buying Sonoco Hi-Test Fuel from Home for Trip: $70
Filling up before going to Track $50
Pit Fees $270 for both days
Fuel Generator: $20
Top of Car with Gas to go home $30

Costs about $500 a weekend for me.

Building up Wagon to Tow the car and looking at a trailer.
My biggest problem is Renting Space for the Trailer.
$100+/month space rental in Germantown Maryland area.

How do most of you house a trailer in a City Metro area?

Dan

[Sean Marconette]

No matter what you do, if you are wanting to go stock / SS racing you will need to find a car that is in the guide. Figure out what you are comfortable working on. The more you do yourself the more money you have to work with. Building one of these cars does not happen overnight when you still have a day job. A dependable tow vehicle is a must. I pointed out the real world costs to enter a race, as that is an eye opener. Going to a bracket race is cheap, going to a National Open, Divisional or National is a multiple day deal, and a lot more of an expense.

As for driving the car to the track, racing and making it back home, others have done it and done well. It depends on if the car can run index, and make it to and from the track.

Sean

[Pistol Pete]

Yes Sean the entry fees are the same amount of money for a 6 second comp car
or a 20 second stocker.

The point is: if you start out with a slower car, the less maintainence you have to do.
You will get more runs on your equipment without replacing any parts.

Kyle, just talk to Billy Nees. Plain & Simple.

[Charlie A]

Read this:

http://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=44903