I searched and read the thread at the top of the page but it didn't really give me the answer Im looking for.

How much does it cost to just take your car out on a weekend and drive the road course? I'm not talking about racing or anything but more like as a hobby.

Sorry if this is a stupid question, I couldn't find the answer on my own.

 

The answer depends entirely on the track facility and the organization sponsoring the event. I would suggest you get in touch with the clubs in your area for more accurate estimates of cost. In my area, HPDE days go as low as $30/30min or $99/day for Fridays. Most events will be between $100-200/day with discounts for doing a 2-day weekend rather than a single day. School weekends will be more, but you get what you pay for and it's a good way to start.

 

Depending on the track and the group you run with expect prices to be in the range of $250-500 per weekend.

 

That was actually the answer I was looking for. I don't really know much about track racing at all. All I ever know about is drag racing and that's extremely cheap here.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GetawayinMoscow &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">All I ever know about is drag racing and that's extremely cheap here.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Around here (AZ):

Drag racing = $20/min
Autocross = $5/min
HPDE = $2/min

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by travis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Around here (AZ):

Drag racing = $20/min
Autocross = $5/min
HPDE = $2/min</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well considering the total cost, drag racing is cheaper.....much cheaper.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by manveer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Well considering the total cost, drag racing is cheaper.....much cheaper.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Maybe, but "considering the total cost" is not my preferred method to justify the expense

-travis, who prefers to ignore the total cost

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by manveer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well considering the total cost, drag racing is cheaper.....much cheaper.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Including broken axles and burnt clutches?

 

Most of them I've seen here in CA are around $200 per day, sometimes per weekend for the lesser known tracks (thunderhill, buttonwillow, etc.) Tracks like sears point (or infinion ) cost a little more. Remember to count in hotel (if you need one), gas (drive there, track racing, drive back), food, brakes. It adds up.

 

Since you're moving to Indiana, check out BMW CCA and NASA. Both do lots of events at Midwest tracks, including Putnam Park (IN) and GingerMan (MI) and Grattan (MI), all of which are less than three hours from Lafayette.

 

if you figure in travel cost, and wear on consumable items, it's more like $300/day at best.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by travis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Around here (AZ):

Drag racing = $20/min
Autocross = $5/min
HPDE = $2/min</TD></TR></TABLE>

Personally, I think if I'm spending less time on track, its a good thing because it means I'm going faster.

 

All the clubs of ICSCC offer driver ed days

Try http://www.iebmw.org/driving_schools.html for Spokane Raceway Park, relatively local to you.

or for a I-90 trip over the mountains to Pacific Raceways
http://www.irdc-racing.com/

Portland International Raceway, about 3 hours without traffic south of Seattle
http://www.cascadescc.com/
http://www.teamcontinental.com/

Or a whole nother country aboot 3 hours north of Seattle
http://www.sccbc.net/

The prices vary from around $150 or so to around $300 for the two day event that includes lunches and dinner. All allow non race prepped vehicles.

Rick

 

FYI many groups require that participants are at least 18 years old...

 

by us, gingerman has open track nights for just $60 a night

 

8k to rent sp for a day

 

Let's see, the tracks I've done cost this much

Laguna Seca 275$ for my first time
Pacific Raceways 240$ my first time but 150$ everytime after
Bremerton (if don't with local clubs) is 40$

Most of the time, if it is your first time at a track they will require you to have an instructor which costs anywhere from 50-90$

 

Last year i sat down and figured what i was spending and what it was costing me for time on track.

Counting: Tires, Entry, Hotel, Fuel to get there and back, fuel for the event, misc fuels..etc (Not food on an event weekend though, that I would have to buy anyway)

Autocrossing: G-Stock 85 CRX
$0.78 per competition second.
($46.80/min--$2,808.oo/hour)
Tires alone (Hoosiers) were costing me about $25/run.

Roadracing: Formula Continental (the last two weekends i have raced)
$0.18 per second.
($10.92/min--$655.oo/Hour)

In The FC i sleep at the track..so no hotel bills.

With numbers like that..its easy to justify roadracing

Jon K
http://www.seat-time.com

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by racerjon1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

With numbers like that..its easy to justify roadracing

Jon K
http://www.seat-time.com</TD></TR></TABLE>


that sure is an interesting formula you got thur

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by racerjon1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">With numbers like that..its easy to justify roadracing </TD></TR></TABLE>

There is a big difference between cost of track time for a "track day" and road racing. Most road racers will tell you that a weekend race will be roughly 1000$ or more EASILY. Plus the 12-20k you spend on the car and equipment just to be out there!

For someone you can't afford a 10k a year or more hobby then I would HIGHLY suggest track days.