Racing, what does it cost?

[Mopar Steve]

This is going to be a very broad question but I am looking for a reasonably close number.

First, I am familiar with general racing costs, travel expenses, trailer, tow vehicle, etc. I guess what I am looking for is how much should I plan to spend per season racing a Viper maybe 7 or 8 times. What are some of the expenses I might not plan for? How many sets of tires should I plan to use over a season? What are fees to the track for an event? Suspension parts, (shocks bushings etc) how often?

Next, is there any sponsor money available for an entry level driver? I have been to Car guys school, Track time school, Viper days, Ran One Lap Of America a couple times. Now I think I might like to take this to a more advanced level.

Thanks for your help.

 

[NI-KA]

Some of the best people to ask are at Mid-Ohio this weekend for the NASA championships.

Look at this thread.

http://forums.viperclub.org/threads/647856-Nasa-national-champ-at-mid-ohio?highlight=NASA

I would bet more then one of them would be happy to discuss.

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

VERY expensive and no sponsorships for entry level. There are many variables too. Solo timed events will cost a lot less than wheel to wheel racing. There are transportation, hotel, racing gear, and entry fees also to consider. Entry fees can be around 250+ for a weekend. The big costs are the tires, brake pads, fluids etc. that you will use, not to mention any damage you might incur. Running 7-8 events can be expensive especially in a Viper but well worth it if you can afford it !!. I highly recommend calling NARRA. They run an exceptionally good program for all categories.

 

[GTS Dean]

It costs more than Charlie Sheen's drug habit. But it's worth every dime.

 

[Dom426h]

Is ths the same guy that complained about there not being an autocross at the last Viperdays event because he didnt want to track, and the same guy that said he had no plans when I asked him why he had two weak sounding stock vipers? Lol just busting your balls steve. It would be a dream to have a fellow delawarian viper to caravan to the tracks with

 

[Mopar Steve]

Is ths the same guy that complained about there not being an autocross at the last Viperdays event because he didnt want to track, and the same guy that said he had no plans when I asked him why he had two weak sounding stock vipers? Lol just busting your balls steve. It would be a dream to have a fellow delawarian viper to caravan to the tracks with

Yes, both of these are too nice to track (the way I want to) So I will be selling the HEMI car and looking for a rough Viper to make a dedicated track car. Brake pads, fluids, entry fees, and travel expenses, all sound affordable. How many sets of tires should I plan to use in a season?

This winter I should be able to cage the car and set it up the way I would want it (or the way it needs to be). And be ready for spring.

I am previously a NHRA type guy and there is a rule book for all the different classes of Drag racing. Is there some place I can look to get the rules on different road racing classes?

 

[Leslie]

This might be a good place to start....maybe HPDE group while you get your car set up, get familiar with a few tracks.

http://www.nasaproracing.com/

I don't race myself, I chose to go the HPDE/instructor route, get free track time. I drive, no trailer.

Even with no registration costs, it still costs me around $1200/per 2 day event. I bet if you ask some of the NARRA guys they are around $8k per weekend.

If you can afford it, I would MOST definitely hook up with NARRA!!

 

[gb66gth]

There's an old joke in racing.

How to you make $1M , start with $10M!

 

[Leslie]

There's an old joke in racing.

How to you make $1M , start with $10M!

OMG, SOOoooo true!

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

What's your budget?

The Dodge Viper Cup Series has some respectable money to be won.
http://www.viperheadquarters.com/viper-racing/dodge_viper_cup.html

 

[345s-bspinnin]

What's your budget?

The Dodge Viper Cup Series has some respectable money to be won.
http://www.viperheadquarters.com/viper-racing/dodge_viper_cup.html

Its bad when your own Viper Headerquarters has incorrect info about the Viper. 335s on the rear, in addition to another couple of editorial mistakes. Really????? I guess its time to change my user name.

 

[Mopar Steve]

What's your budget?

Not really sure.

I know that sounds stupid, but it is a matter of prioritizing. I think many of us can find the money for the things that are important to us. Leslie posted numbers of $1200 - $8000 per weekend. On the low end of those numbers I could work with, much more than that I'm out. I honestly believe from the numbers I have to work with, I can go out and have a good time. I doubt that I could ever be very competitive, but just like SEX, you don't have to be good at it to have a great time! There are drivers in NASCAR and many other levels of racing that never win, but they are out there having a good time.

 

[F8L SNK]

Tires: 1,500 a set and you really need two sets. so $3,000 and that is for Hoosier R6's. Oil Change, trans fluid and diff fluid at minimum every other event. $150. Brake Fluid change before and bleed during the event. $40-$60 depending on how much you have to bleed during the weekend (I usually need to once, cheap insurance as I start off with all new fluid at the beginning of the event). Brake pads $275 for the front and $275 for the back. Anywhere from 1-3 weekends depending on the track. Backs usually 3-5 weekends. Gas for the event itself (93 octane anything else is WAY more) $120 - $150 per weekend. These are all minimum and roughly equates to $3,500 on average per weekend.

Next, add the meals, gas for truck and generator, then hotel. A Typical weekend that is 1,000 miles each way and your $2,200 in at minimum. So I would plan on $5,700 a weekend and that is being tight. Don't forget that you have to prep the car to begin with and you have to buy all of the safety stuff and keep it up to date. It really adds up. As has been stated it is worth it.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

F8L is pretty much spot on. You might be able to skim a grand or so off his number maybe, stretch the fluid changes, cut back on tire sessions, but it would have a negative affect on any competitive edge.

 

[redtanrt10]

Steve, in looking at your questions and comments I'm guessing that you really haven't participated in too many open track events with a viper. Unless you have a big budget I'd suggest that you start in a spec Mazda or honda challenge type series if you want to door to door race. Great series to learn and much less expensive. Or, spend next season running open track and time trial events in a prepped viper. F8l SNK has good estimates to race, if you run open track you can probably get 2 weekends out of set of Hoosiers and may not go through brakes that fast. In addition I'd add at least $250-$500 per weekend for coaching, particulary if you don't know the track. Best wishes and spend your money on the best safety equipment. Mike

 

[Dom426h]

Steve, Are we talking about trackdays & timetrials -or- Racing in a series?

I think that 7to8 events peryear is stretching it for our region. We dont live in SoCal with several tracks and yearround trackable weather.(Notice how Every trackrat that responded to this thread lives in a southern state ) Nice tracks within a decent distance we have Summit Point & NJMP. NJMP would be your home track and it is closed for 1/3 of the year for the winter. Add to that our heatwaves and how active you are in other car events, id realistically shoot for 4 events per year.

 

[F8L SNK]

Or buy a trailer and travel

 

[FrankBarba]

Steve...Track Days, Time Trials, W2W is not cheap.
Track Days tires will last longer - You will still need to prep your car as stated in earlier posts, Helmet - Hans (Safety), long sleeve shirt, Jeans, Driving shoes or Tennis Shoes.
Time Trials - You will move up in Competition as you are now racing against the clock with others on the track at the same time, Usually these guys space themselves out to get
great runs. I'm not sure about what safety requirements.
W2W - Depends on your pockets. Trailer, Tow Rig, Spares, ect..ect

Depending upon what you want to do. I have several cars for sale that you might be interested in to either do track days, time trials or full out racing.
2 are Vipers, 1 Nextel Cup Car set up for TT, Track Days or Racing, also have a a 3/4 scale Bush Mustang with Kawasaki ZX14, fun & flies....