Entering Motorsport - Does this budget look right??

[ktm301p]

TomR91 said:

I race Mk1 Mr2's in the Red Dragon series, First season last year, I'll give you a brief breakdown of what you have to consider.

The entry fee's are set, so you can budget that, but be aware that you will need a transponder at each of these meetings - £30 to hire at each meeting or buy one for around £350. Doesn't sound much but its £270 a year to hire.

Race license depends where you do it, best to have a trackday beforehand though.

DON'T buy a second hand helmet, ever. May sound silly but you don't want to find out its been dropped previously when your heading for a barrier. This isn't scaremongering, just fact. Overalls, maybe. Just make sure they're in good condition. Also be aware that Fireproof gloves and shoes have been made mandatory this year so there's a few more £££

You haven't factored in travel either, probably what costs me the most per year. How will you be getting you and the car to the circuit, This years circuits range from Brands hatch to Pembrey to Cadwell so quite a lot of country to cover! Some drive to the circuit, or you need a trailer and something to pull it with. So include the fuel to get there, it adds up. Or pay someone else to do it.

Tyres, hard to say how many you'll get through in a Mk2, Budget for 3 sets and you won't be far wrong. You have to buy from a single supplier in the red dragon series though so check their prices.

Then you can start pricing for your car... There are plenty around race prepped, or track prepared and need a little work to get up to standard. Make it reliable and safe before spending money on parts, do this as and upgrade when you can throughout the season.

Best thing to do is to have a wonder around the paddock and chat to the people you'll be potentially racing with, we're at Donnington on the 18th May, Or just have a wonder to your local circuit when somethings on. Motorsport people are generally quite friendly

Hope this helps - PM me if you want anymore details.

Thank you for taking the time to contribute the advice! Your right, I'll make a revised budget taking into account more realistic costs for equipment (i.e. A brand new helmet not secondhand!) and for tyres and transport. In regard to your point about making the car safe, that would be our top priority. Rollcage, harnessed race seats, fire extinguisher etc would all be in place. I will be sure to have a walk round and chat to a few people when I am next at an event in Castle Combe! Should I be asking these people how they prepare their cars, more questions on budget and the practicalities of racing do you think?

Thanks!

[ktm301p]

We would just like to thank everyone that has contributed so far for taking the time to give their advice and opinions!

Alex & Jeremy

[ktm301p]

Greensleeves said:

My engine, with 112k miles on the clock lasted almost a season before the head gasket went and when we stripped it, there was not much wrong with it. It had a new gasket and is still racing now in someone else's car. I had an engine rebuilt professionally for 600 quid and it's still going well two years later.

Last month's Bratch meeting cost me about 80 quid in diesel for the van, 30 quid's worth of Optimax for the racer, 295 for the entry fee and I bought a set of tyres which came to almost 400 quid which I'm hoping will do three or more meetings. I also double up and do the Nippon Challenge as well which adds to the costs and reduces the tyre life. Additional expense was a slab of beer for Saturday night and a few quid for food at the paddock cafe.

If you disregard having to buy a donor vehicle to repair the car after hitting Nathan on lap 10 of race 1 and the couple of weeks to repair the cars, that's about the strength of it.

Thanks for the advice there! I see your point there, it is worth setting aside money for the potential cost of a donor car and rebuilding an engine let alone tyres.