Racing budget?

[Pistol Pete]

Kyle

Michael Beard & some others have great ideas on first getting started.

$35,000 for a Stocker, for just starting out, nahhhh..

Just remember the faster you go the more you spend.
You can start with a low class stocker, 12-13 second car won't be that expensive
to buy.

Actually, I have a Complete 305 Chevy Motor For Sale. $4,000.
Runs 4-6 under the index.
At least $8,000 if you were to do it New, & thats on the cheap side.
If your interested in my motor call me: 908 420 3723

[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

[Philip Saran]

There are many, many racers who started out and still use open trailers to get their
car to the drag strip.

Open trailer: $1500 - $4000 depending on size, weight capacity, new/used, etc.

Tow vehicle, something that will safely tow your car/trailer and not break
down too often.

[gumbalaya]

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?

[John Duzac]

I bought a new Dodge Ram 3500 in 2012.
I retired in March 2012 and built a 54x40 metal building to house the operation. In May of 2012 I ordered a 50 foot goose neck trailer with living quarters. I find the most expensive thing is getting down the highway. The price of diesel fuel ,for me, is the hardest thing to pay for. I find that I do not have trouble with the entry fee. Being retired afords me with a lot of time to rece and work on my car. If you can aford to race you will have lots of fun and make friends along the way.

[Dinsdale]

[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