Footman

iTrader: (2)

I did some research into the costs of doing this, but man, it's killing the wallet even for an entry level beginner who wants to get into racing. Druggist, CL_S, and myself possibly teaming up to split the cost 3 way on this, but still... I'd figure I'd put this information out to other people who might be wondering what this will cost.

Mazda 2 (new): $18,000
Mazda 2 (used): < $10,000
Mazdaspeed B-spec kit: $2600
Roll cage: $4000
Fire safety/gauges/race seat: $1500
Dry set of tires per season (16 races, maybe 4-5 sets): $4000
Wet set of tires per season (on raining race days): $4000
Trailer: $500 - $1000
Storage costs???? no idea
Sub total: $27,000 - $35,000
10% extra for anything I missed (fuel/pads/rotors/fluids).... $2700 - $3500
TOTAL PARTS/MATERIAL: $29,700 - $38,500

In order to race, you need a race license, and in order to get a race license, you need to have passed a certificate at a driving school. Looking at BRidgestone Race school, costs:
$4000 for 3 day course.
License cost is: $225
Then you need a race suit/helmet/gloves/shoes... around $1000-$1200
That is PER DRIVER, so each of us gotta pay for this ourselves...
TOTAL DRIVER COST approx: $6000 (including taxes)


There are 16 rounds in the CTCC to race. Registration is $1200 to participate, and each race depending on which track it's on is anywhere between $1000 - $2400.
The total cost to run the entire season is: $11,400.
TOTAL ENTRY FEES FOR SEASON: $11,400

I'm sure I might have missed some other items but at the bare minimum, a 3-way partnership each way will cost each person: $19,700 - $22,633



The only consolation to this is that mostly all the races happen on weekends with one or two that start on a Thursday or Friday, nothing vacation days from your day-job can't take. Another good thing is, all the tracks they race on are only in Ontario/Quebec specifically between Mosport and Montreal and everything in between, so the transportation side of getting to these places is only about 5 - 6 hours away max.


Here is what Mazda is paying for B-spec:
Per Race:
1st place: $500
2nd place: $300
3rd place: $150

Championship points standing at the end of the season:
1st place: $5000
2nd place: $2000
3rd place: $1000


Just looking at the per race number....... even if you win 1st place, you can't even break even with the entry fees to the race!

Racing is extremely expensive... even entry level ****... guess I gotta fold my dreams away for another 5 years until I make more money.

Chad D.

iTrader: (19)

Sponsorships bro.

rx8-druggist

^ I often wonder how much sponsorships could really cover... I doubt it'd be significant though - esp at the beginning considering we'd be a no-name team with no racing pedigree lol.

Definitely difficult to pull off financially at this point since we're all still young professionals (just finishing school, entering work etc.).

wcs

iTrader: (2)

Nice write up Footman.
sub'd for interest.

Chris_Bangle

iTrader: (2)

It never really pays to build a car - better to buy one that's built.

Also you can always rent a ride to start and if you looking for best bang for the buck (my definition of that is: close competitive racing not the fastest time around Mosport), check out spec miata, spec E30 and srf all south of the border of course but traveiling to some tracks is on par with going to Quebec (wish we had Nasa rules instead of time brackets but that's another story).

You can also rent formula vees - they are slow but not a bad place to start. You can contact Bill Vallis - http://vallismotorsport.com/ for pricing. I have looked at the costs but need to look them up. Formula ford is another step up several teams rent them and you can do only certain weekend i.e, don't have to sign up for the entire race calendar.

If you are looking to get into racing probably best to get your license (http://www.casc.on.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=24228) and rent a seat for a few races and see how things work.

The Trilllium BMW Club will run a Club Race School at Mosport this year and there will be a race school at Mid Ohio in April - awesome people. Those schools don't give you a license outside of BMW Club racing but offer a nice introduction.

Good to see there is interest out there. I have been thinking about it for a while but alas don't have the opportunity.

01Racing

Okay here is a tiny bit of experience talking lol.

Rule 1: Take your budget that you have spent considerable time planning and at least double it.

Rule 2: Partnerships with drivers DONT WORK WELL, someone has to own the car and the either have paying or hired drivers.

Rule 3: Spec series are notoriously demolistion derbys because all the cars are so equal only the truly aggressive and those who can afford back up cars will actually get on the podium

Rule 4: Tow vehicle?

Rule 5: Who pays when the 1st car gets written off? lol

Should I keep going? Chris Bangle is beyond right when he says the best way to get into racing is to buy a proven turn key car to learn on then you can progress from there!