track cost
06-03-2012, 10:03 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
track cost
Are you guys that do 10-20 events a year really paying $300+ a day?
Is there a way to work off the cost?
Any instructors need a deck/shed built? I can swing a hammer.
Is there a way to work off the cost?
Any instructors need a deck/shed built? I can swing a hammer.
06-03-2012, 10:16 PM
#2
Drifting
I believe most guys who do that many events every year are instructors so their track fees would be waived. But I did pay that until I became one, yes. Even as an instructor my fees are still high for the weekend everytime I go.
06-04-2012, 05:59 AM
#7
Team Owner
set of slicks 1600 divide by 3-4 days 
Rotors and pads the same or worse 3-4 days. Travel / tolls, fuel, hotel, depreciation on tow vehicle mileage at least. Easy 1,500 a day and that is if you don't blow a tranny, diff, or engine. I did over 40 days one year or more. Now the economy has shut my business down so it sits. I would hate instructing and running my car as it seems to be one big rush for instructors.Not I don't even have time to get it together.
06-04-2012, 06:46 AM
#8
Team Owner
Member Since: Jul 2004
Location: NJ
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St. Jude Donor '05-'08
You can keep costs down. No mods, aggressive street tires and brake pads and you are good to go.
Events you have to look around for better deals. Limerock is always going to be expensive but if you hook up with different groups you can save a lot. If I remember correctly PCA has 3 days at WGI for around $350.
Check put motorsportreg.com for list of events in your area.
Events you have to look around for better deals. Limerock is always going to be expensive but if you hook up with different groups you can save a lot. If I remember correctly PCA has 3 days at WGI for around $350.
Check put motorsportreg.com for list of events in your area.
06-04-2012, 08:44 AM
#10
Burning Brakes
The cost per day varies considerably from person to person and is influenced by many factors including proximity to tracks, trailer vs. drive, event organizers, prep level of car, tc. etc. In general I'd say the costs go up in proportion to your speed (speed costs $ in terms of pads, tires, worn out or busted equipment). $300 per day would be at the very low end. Think about the cost of the consumables alone:
- gas ~ 5 gals per session = ~$70-80 per day
- pads > $400 per set (all 4 wheels). ~6 days ave. = $67/day
- tries - set of new NT05 ~$1000 (mounted). ~10 days = $100/day (obviously longevity varies depending on the driver)
- rotors $150 for cheap ones. ~5 days ave. ~$30/day
This would be really minimal and it adds up to almost $300/day...before we even start on the event entry fee, lodging, food, transport to/from, etc. Plus 10 - 20 days a year WILL break or wear out stuff that has to be replaced: tie rod ends, wheel bearings, bushings, valve springs, etc.
I got to find a new hobby...this is depressing to think about LOL.
- gas ~ 5 gals per session = ~$70-80 per day
- pads > $400 per set (all 4 wheels). ~6 days ave. = $67/day
- tries - set of new NT05 ~$1000 (mounted). ~10 days = $100/day (obviously longevity varies depending on the driver)
- rotors $150 for cheap ones. ~5 days ave. ~$30/day
This would be really minimal and it adds up to almost $300/day...before we even start on the event entry fee, lodging, food, transport to/from, etc. Plus 10 - 20 days a year WILL break or wear out stuff that has to be replaced: tie rod ends, wheel bearings, bushings, valve springs, etc.
I got to find a new hobby...this is depressing to think about LOL.
06-04-2012, 09:51 AM
#11
Le Mans Master
While you can't do anything about the cost of expendibles and hotels, you can look around for cheap groups to run with. The non-profit groups like BMW CCA, Porsche Club are much cheaper than the private held organizations. You can get 2 days for $300. Avoid popular clubs at popular tracks and you can save money.
06-04-2012, 10:00 AM
#12
Drifting
06-04-2012, 10:06 AM
#13
Safety Car
Pretty much it. You can save on the event cost by doing 2 days, but savings are offset by hotel, but you do get an extra day of tracking. Plus if you are there 2 days and something happens and you miss one session, it doesn't hurt as bad. Not a cheap sport, but it sure is fun!
06-04-2012, 10:21 AM
#14
Safety Car
You need to budget at least $1,000 for each day at the track. $1,500 might be more realistic. It all adds up pretty quickly. Just wait for the day when you need a new set of Hoosier tires.
Richard Newton
Newton's Laws
Richard Newton
Newton's Laws
06-04-2012, 12:49 PM
#15
Safety Car
You will not beat $500/day in consumables alone unless you are on street tires:
Nitto R-II tires (rcomp): $1000/set: last 10 days =$100/day
Event fee: PCA/Trackdaze: $375/2day: $190/day
Gasoline: 20 gal min at track+to & from: $125/day
Rotors: $180/set of 4, fronts last 4 days: $45/day
Pads: $200/set for fronts: last about 10 days: $20/day
Pads $160/set for rears: last? 16 days: $10 day
Cheap fast food, camp there, still $500 day and you have not done any car prep (oil, tie rod ends, etc etc).
Going w/street tires and less agressive pads (a matched set! since the agressive pads are useless w/o race tires) will save on all the above except for the fee. ??down to $350-400 a day?. I'm not optimistic that you can ever go from $300/day in non-fee consumables to $100 driving a Corvette unless it's your first day in green group.
Nitto R-II tires (rcomp): $1000/set: last 10 days =$100/day
Event fee: PCA/Trackdaze: $375/2day: $190/day
Gasoline: 20 gal min at track+to & from: $125/day
Rotors: $180/set of 4, fronts last 4 days: $45/day
Pads: $200/set for fronts: last about 10 days: $20/day
Pads $160/set for rears: last? 16 days: $10 day
Cheap fast food, camp there, still $500 day and you have not done any car prep (oil, tie rod ends, etc etc).
Going w/street tires and less agressive pads (a matched set! since the agressive pads are useless w/o race tires) will save on all the above except for the fee. ??down to $350-400 a day?. I'm not optimistic that you can ever go from $300/day in non-fee consumables to $100 driving a Corvette unless it's your first day in green group.
06-04-2012, 01:41 PM
#16
Drifting
Pads I think you are being pretty generous. I got 3 out of my fronts on the last two sets and 5 on the rear.
06-04-2012, 03:36 PM
#17
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Oct 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
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To keep costs down you need to sacrifice some speed on the track.
First, Don't upgrade to race tires. I got 26 track days out of a set of Nitto NT05s before they heat cycled out. They still have some tread left and I could probably do another 4 or 5 days sliding around on them. Run pads similar to Hawk HP+. Pad cost is lower and they work with street tires. With my C6Z I got 10 track days out of a set of well worn Super Car EMTs that had over 8K miles on them before I took them to the track. They actually ran faster than the Nittos. Getting well used SC EMTs from forum members is one way to keep costs down.
I am lucky that I live 60 miles from Watkins Glen. From my driveway to a parking spot outside the garage it is exactly 58 miles. Takes me 70 minutes to make the drive on back roads. I rarely stay overnight. I just drive back and forth. My truck consumes 4 gallons of gas each way so my overnight cost is $32 and I eat at home and sleep in my own bed. Lunch cost is sometimes picked up by the group running the event. I only need to get up a half an hour earlier than I do if I stay near the track since I don't have to find a place to eat breakfast at 6AM. If I do an event at Pocono I limit my time there to one day. The drive is just over 100 miles for me and takes around two hours so I can leave home early and even if I leave the track at 5 I can get home at a reasonable hour.
Once you start trying to push faster than street tires will permit your costs will escalate, tire costs, maintenance costs, brake costs, etc.
Remember the Motto, "Keep it simple Stupid". The simpler you keep things the easier it is to do at a lower cost but it will never be as low cost as putt putting around town.
Bill
First, Don't upgrade to race tires. I got 26 track days out of a set of Nitto NT05s before they heat cycled out. They still have some tread left and I could probably do another 4 or 5 days sliding around on them. Run pads similar to Hawk HP+. Pad cost is lower and they work with street tires. With my C6Z I got 10 track days out of a set of well worn Super Car EMTs that had over 8K miles on them before I took them to the track. They actually ran faster than the Nittos. Getting well used SC EMTs from forum members is one way to keep costs down.
I am lucky that I live 60 miles from Watkins Glen. From my driveway to a parking spot outside the garage it is exactly 58 miles. Takes me 70 minutes to make the drive on back roads. I rarely stay overnight. I just drive back and forth. My truck consumes 4 gallons of gas each way so my overnight cost is $32 and I eat at home and sleep in my own bed. Lunch cost is sometimes picked up by the group running the event. I only need to get up a half an hour earlier than I do if I stay near the track since I don't have to find a place to eat breakfast at 6AM. If I do an event at Pocono I limit my time there to one day. The drive is just over 100 miles for me and takes around two hours so I can leave home early and even if I leave the track at 5 I can get home at a reasonable hour.
Once you start trying to push faster than street tires will permit your costs will escalate, tire costs, maintenance costs, brake costs, etc.
Remember the Motto, "Keep it simple Stupid". The simpler you keep things the easier it is to do at a lower cost but it will never be as low cost as putt putting around town.
Bill
06-04-2012, 04:04 PM
#18
Safety Car
I'm a C5 Mafia ballin' on a budget racer i.e. instruct and TT to win tires as needed, sleep in the trailer, cross-fingers I don't crash
You can actually have a net positive income track weekend when you instruct, camp in the trailer, and win 4 Hoosiers.
You can actually have a net positive income track weekend when you instruct, camp in the trailer, and win 4 Hoosiers.
06-04-2012, 05:41 PM
#20
Drifting
Thread Starter
Anyone want an instructor who's never been on the track! I work cheap!
The "win"4 Hosiers means you have to win right, that probably wont happen. TT is that a pro level race? I'm just a beginner but once I get on track and all the sponsors see what a prodigy I am they'll surely pay me to race, but for now Ill have to pay and camp.
To keep costs down you need to sacrifice some speed on the track.
First, Don't upgrade to race tires. I got 26 track days out of a set of Nitto NT05s before they heat cycled out. They still have some tread left and I could probably do another 4 or 5 days sliding around on them. Run pads similar to Hawk HP+. Pad cost is lower and they work with street tires. With my C6Z I got 10 track days out of a set of well worn Super Car EMTs that had over 8K miles on them before I took them to the track. They actually ran faster than the Nittos. Getting well used SC EMTs from forum members is one way to keep costs down.
I am lucky that I live 60 miles from Watkins Glen. From my driveway to a parking spot outside the garage it is exactly 58 miles. Takes me 70 minutes to make the drive on back roads. I rarely stay overnight. I just drive back and forth. My truck consumes 4 gallons of gas each way so my overnight cost is $32 and I eat at home and sleep in my own bed. Lunch cost is sometimes picked up by the group running the event. I only need to get up a half an hour earlier than I do if I stay near the track since I don't have to find a place to eat breakfast at 6AM. If I do an event at Pocono I limit my time there to one day. The drive is just over 100 miles for me and takes around two hours so I can leave home early and even if I leave the track at 5 I can get home at a reasonable hour.
Once you start trying to push faster than street tires will permit your costs will escalate, tire costs, maintenance costs, brake costs, etc.
Remember the Motto, "Keep it simple Stupid". The simpler you keep things the easier it is to do at a lower cost but it will never be as low cost as putt putting around town.
Bill
First, Don't upgrade to race tires. I got 26 track days out of a set of Nitto NT05s before they heat cycled out. They still have some tread left and I could probably do another 4 or 5 days sliding around on them. Run pads similar to Hawk HP+. Pad cost is lower and they work with street tires. With my C6Z I got 10 track days out of a set of well worn Super Car EMTs that had over 8K miles on them before I took them to the track. They actually ran faster than the Nittos. Getting well used SC EMTs from forum members is one way to keep costs down.
I am lucky that I live 60 miles from Watkins Glen. From my driveway to a parking spot outside the garage it is exactly 58 miles. Takes me 70 minutes to make the drive on back roads. I rarely stay overnight. I just drive back and forth. My truck consumes 4 gallons of gas each way so my overnight cost is $32 and I eat at home and sleep in my own bed. Lunch cost is sometimes picked up by the group running the event. I only need to get up a half an hour earlier than I do if I stay near the track since I don't have to find a place to eat breakfast at 6AM. If I do an event at Pocono I limit my time there to one day. The drive is just over 100 miles for me and takes around two hours so I can leave home early and even if I leave the track at 5 I can get home at a reasonable hour.
Once you start trying to push faster than street tires will permit your costs will escalate, tire costs, maintenance costs, brake costs, etc.
Remember the Motto, "Keep it simple Stupid". The simpler you keep things the easier it is to do at a lower cost but it will never be as low cost as putt putting around town.
Bill