Hi, I'm coming from the rent-a-racer world (Skip Barber race series). Looking for big fields to race in, a durable car and one that I can still do HPDE's with... One quick question, what does a race weekend cost (on average) for you guys as a car owner? That is, what do you budget to campaign your cars for a season? (Skip Barber is getting hella expensive as an arrive and drive experience.) Thanks, Jim
Region: NWR / Oregon
Car #: 88
Year : 95 Posts: 2000
Status: Offline
posted
I budget about $1k running two classes if it requires a hotel stay. If I can sleep in my own bed and cook my own meals it's less. I ran this trap line a few times before and most people seem to average about $700-$1000 a weekend. If you budget the minimum for known expenses, gas, tires, hotel, food, etc. you'll wind up short. Ocassionally you flat spot tires, bend a part, wear out your gloves... The unplanned expenses do add up over time. Cheaper than a weekend at Skippy's though.
-------------------- Keith Novak (Will work for tires)
Region: chicago
Car #: 72 and ?
Year : 90 and 90 Posts: 1051
Status: Offline
posted
Too many variables to give an accurate reading.
Distance from home to track Camp or hotel Super 8 or Ritz PB and J or steaks on the grill number of crew to feed and house 1 day event, or 2 or 3 or 4 days one class or 2 classes is track hard on brakes, tires etc Are YOU hard on brakes, tires, etc. How well do you maintain the car. What condition is the car at the first event.
If you budget $1000 you should be fine unless you fall into the "hard on equipment" catagory.
My typical arrive and drive guys spend about $1200 for a 1 day event, about $1800 for a 2 day. And they do nothing except show up with helmet and suit.
A word of advise, NEVER NEVER NEVER add up the receipts. You don't want to know.
Dave
-------------------- Advanced Autosports, The Midwests leader in Spec Miata Service, Parts and Rentals 608-313-1230 Authorised Spec Miata service center www.advanced-autosports.com
Thanks guys, that's helpful. I am presently trying to sell my street car to buy a good mid-range SM and trailer. It's fun to look at the ads and dream about a new adventure....
Region: Kansas City
Car #: 95
Year : 1991 Posts: 311
Status: Offline
posted
Congrats! PM me if you have any questions. I built mine and have learned a lot. I'm in Kansas City. Mine's a 91 with a crate bottom and Meathead head. I only race at Hallett right now. Great, great track.
Region: Chicago
Car #: 45
Year : 1991 Posts: 115
Status: Offline
posted
Hi Jim! I see you are signed up for the Council, and the SCCA Schools...because I am also. And I am a bit more a rookie than you...you have the seat time in Skip Barber...pure track rookie here!
Region: Central
Car #: 9
Year : 1996 Posts: 38
Status: Offline
posted
Hi JIm, I started racing 2 yrs ago and the expence kind of depends on how much you want to race. The first year we ran all regional and council and spent an average of 700-1000 a weekend, racing 2 classes, tons of fun and didn't think about the expence, last year we ran all nationals with a couple regionals for track time, lots more money invested still had fun but you reaLLY GOT TO DEDICATE more. We generally cook our own food and we also camp at the track with about 7-9 people so we have to bring 2 vehicles. Looking forward to competing against you . Look us up if you need anything #9 orange/yellow sm, me crew chief is a brain. Also dave wheeler has a lot of help and runs a sm shop. You will love the racing.
Region: Central
Car #: 9
Year : 1996 Posts: 38
Status: Offline
posted
Oh sorry didnt know, great choice. He is alot of help. He helped us out . We built ours from ground up but with everything from him. I can't wait for the season to start either. What number car are you going to be. I will lokk you up at the council school.
Region: NNJ
Car #: 43
Year : 1990 Posts: 73
Status: Offline
posted
See you guys at the MWC school. Red #43 (currently sitting at Dave's shop). My son is HSAXing our other red miata so look for 2. Looks like at least 4 of us so far.
Last year was my first year racing and I was on the east coast. The biggest costs that varied for me were food and lodging. A tent/RV knocks $100-250 off the weekend. We used to bring all out food as well as track food is usually marginal but expensive. Toward the end we would go out to dinner Saturday night but pretty much bring everything else. Those are the easy one to to control.
Tires are likely next on the costs list. I had older tires that came with the car I ran through. They were pretty crap and I could tell. Late season I got a set of 4/32 and could really tell the difference. Guys at the fast end will run 2/32 and run them much harder. Not sure what the average life of a 4/32 is for a mid packer.
Fuel jugs are a great investment. Tracks I was at charged over the top for POG. An extra couple dollars a gallon over a weekend really do add up.
I slipped by on the cheap end - $500-600 a weekend.
-------------------- TJ Andriesen Barrington, IL #43 SM/ITA (SCCA & MC)
Region: Central
Car #: 80
Year : 1999 Posts: 30
Status: Offline
posted
I am also fairly new to the midwest SM scene. Anyone one going to be running the double national at Blackhawk at the end of April? I am in the blue/white '99 #80.
Region: Central
Car #: 9
Year : 1996 Posts: 38
Status: Offline
posted
I will be at the double nat at blackhawk running the orange #9. Hopefully we will have a decent field of cars. Based on the new rules for qualifying for the runoffs we should see more competitors. See you all down there, if you have any questions or need any help look us up.
Region: Central
Car #: 80
Year : 1999 Posts: 30
Status: Offline
posted
quote:Originally posted by Jerret Gerber: Based on the new rules for qualifying for the runoffs we should see more competitors. See you all down there, if you have any questions or need any help look us up.
I am new to the National scene. What do you mean by we should see more competitors due to the rule change? I will look for you next weekend.
Region: Central
Car #: 9
Year : 1996 Posts: 38
Status: Offline
posted
You dont need to finish in top 10 in your division of record, all you need is four finishes with at least 2 in your division. So if you have a national license all you have to do is finish 4 races and your in. It really sucks in a way but the economy I think has something to do about it. P.S. They have to be national races of course. See you next weekend rain or shine, I'm hoping for rain, the great equalizer.
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