Sportsman Racing, Making A Living!!!

[pfordamx]

if you could cash every weekend, and had a e85 or pump gas car. maybe a bit slower low maintenance car like a 10.90 car you might break even but i don't see ever being able to make a living at it. i believe you might make some nice extra income if you were very good. but what about the off season? you would have to have a supplemental income to race all the time.

[THE LEGEND]

All the So Called proffessionals have other sources of income as well.

We will leave it at that.

[cicero819]

It's like the old joke about how t make a million dollars in drag racing is to start with two million. Seriously don't let anyone derail your dream if you feel strongly about it. I do recommend that you start locally and as you start winning races you then venture outside of your comfort zone. I would advise to make sure to start with no wife or children waiting for money to support them, start with a small van and open trailer(van to sleep in)I can remember many who started this way but unfortunately it's very hard life. Listen to the Legend he did it and learn from him.CR

[Mike Pearson]

You would have to have sponsor money to race for a living. I don't think there are any pro racers out there making a living racing with out sponsor money. In this economy it would be real difficult to find a sponsor for a bracket car at the local or divisional level. If you were very good and had several track championships under your belt you might be able to find some sponsorship for the big money bracket races from some of the local sponsors that support bracket racing at your local tracks.

[chasracer]

YES

But it comes with caveats and realism. Your question is "can you" and I believe it can be done. Now the questions that surround that are many and are going to be different for every person. How much money a month do you need ? And be honest with yourself, are you supporting a house mortgage, wife, kids, alimony, etc, etc?

Or, are you single, unattached to anything in this world except your racecar and toolbox?

If I were the second example and a whole lot younger, then yes maybe I would take a shot at it. But getting to the point that you could do it is going to require some type of minimum investment to start with and even buying used, nothing is really cheap. A good, consistent footbrake car or roadster - sorry but I have a dragster, don't limit your races by having one - a box for it and you either go with a small RV or dualie truck. The truck means hotel rooms or sleeping in the trailer. The RV might allow you to save some money if you full time in it. Then there is the spare parts you will need, tools and entry fees. The real downside to this is the loneliness. In between races, the car honestly will not hold a conversation with you. There are also the possible long runs of no luck, bad lights, rainouts and serious drivetrain damage. All in all, a lot of it depends on your personal desire and abilities. If you're the type that can pull up to an old used car dealer and fix a few of their sales prospects for some quick cash or flip hamburgers for a week to get by, then you'll have a better shot. Or maybe just a rich uncle that likes you will take care of it. Good luck!

[Kris Kristofferson]

It would be a nomad/hippy lifestyle, which some people would enjoy! You would have to be a good mechanic and capable of fixing stuff at the side of road.. the pressure would be there, if you don't win then no grocery money...
if you would be able to fish and hunt you could supplement this-LOL
I guess you could pickup hitchhikers like in 2 lane blacktop, maybe even a decent looking lady to keep you company but "A**, grass or gas" nobody rides free"
Cool idea for a TV show documentary,,kind of like the people who live in Slab city

[cmallory96]

I've thought about this a lot myself, too. Luckily, I have no attachments (i.e. significant other, or kids), I work hellacious hours at my job, so the overtime helps during the winter season when there's no racing. People tell me, "You should go back to school and make something of yourself, and do something with your life." Sorry, but I'm just not about the college life, nor the college type. I'd get burned out super easily on it because of my short attention span when it comes to that kind of stuff lol. "Education is important, but race cars are more important-er." I just prefer to race cars. I think working as a mechanic for the last 2 1/2 years as well, would benefit me in the long run because I'd be able to handle a break down myself, when bad luck decides to strike.

As for living as a nomad... Honestly, with all of the cool gadgets and gizmos these days the camping industry comes out with every year, hell, I wouldn't mind sleeping in a sleeping bag/cot at every race. Can't beat a good topper on a truck if the weather decides to be inclement!

My main concern though, is keeping my car consistent, and being consistent as a driver.

[LemonWedge]

I'll answer the op question with a question.... Why would you want to? Racing is fun. The reason it is fun is that it is stress free. Adding the stress of needing to win to eat..... then it becomes a job. no thanks.

And by the way, I don't think there's a snowballs chance in hell you could MAKE money bracket racing.

[nickh]

Have always been a huge Fletcher and Rampy fan. However, without what little help they do get they would not be able to make it.

I cringe everytime I see either one of them go out in 1st round, if they don't win they don't eat. Both have been doing it for years and I commend them, but they really really have to be frugal.

Always had a dream of winning the lottery and going on the road, but had to wake up to realization of how long could that last?

My heart goes out to those that do it for a living and are successful doing it. And if you notice those that do it for a living run multiple cars, that would be the only way you could do it. Double or triple your chances of going into money rounds..JMO