Realistic Annual Budget for SLM team

[bubba]

Since my scientific poll was banished to Complainers Corner...

Anybody have some real numbers on what it would take to fly a top shelf SLM team on asphalt for a year? Factor in starting up two cars from nothing already have hauler and facility. Something like Rogers/Anderson (excluding legal fees) or Russell. How much stuff would they get "free" or discounted by agreements with motor builders etc. I know the sky is the limit to some degree, but what would be realistic to be competetive and travel to 1-2 big shows (Snowball Derby/Gov Cup) a year.

I'd also like to know similar info on Dirt if I may be so bold.

[JackTripper]

This math is about ten years or so old, but I don't think it's changed too much to be honest. I know I'm not 100% answering your question, but maybe this helps.

If you want to travel the southeast with a major pavement late model touring series, take $7500 times the number of races you've got on that schedule. So let's use the ASA Southeast schedule as an example. They've got approximately 20 races, so that's $150,000 for an operating budget.

Let's assume you've literally got nothing and want to run somewhere up front - I would say you need close to $100,000 to get into two brand new cars, with competitive engines and something to tow them to the races with.

Something like what this guy has:

https://www.racingjunk.com/category/...e-Trailer.html

[bubba]

Love his reason for selling everything - has an ARCA offer - doesn't need those pesky late models anymore. Wow, how many guys have gone through that meat grinder only to end up wishing they still had a late model ride to fall back on...

[JackTripper]

I got news for him - everybody has an ARCA offer if they have $65,000 a race to throw around.

[bubba]

Hah, maybe his ARCA ride is contingent on selling his LM stuff to finance...

So if you put $30,000 towards some special events, what would the typical weekly shows get you for?

[SLMnum8]

Since my scientific poll was banished to Complainers Corner...

Anybody have some real numbers on what it would take to fly a top shelf SLM team on asphalt for a year? Factor in starting up two cars from nothing already have hauler and facility. Something like Rogers/Anderson (excluding legal fees) or Russell. How much stuff would they get "free" or discounted by agreements with motor builders etc. I know the sky is the limit to some degree, but what would be realistic to be competetive and travel to 1-2 big shows (Snowball Derby/Gov Cup) a year.

I'd also like to know similar info on Dirt if I may be so bold.

Here's some ballpark figures for ya...probably on the low end actually.

Depends on buying new or used? New $15,000+ per car minus motor....used $8,000 to $12,000

Spec motor or big motor? $15,00 - $17,000 per spec motor.... $30,000+ per big motor.

Paying the driver or driver drives for fun? I don't know what drivers charge, I drive for free lol.

Have a crew? Great group of volunteers is cheap...not sure what crew/crew chiefs charge.

Average Regular race weekend costs would be $1,000 to $1600+ depending on # of sets of tires. That x number of races, not including travel costs or paying the driver/crew for their efforts.

Governors cup......$2,000+, Derby........$5,000+

Repairs costs? tbd

So it all depends on how much fun you wanna have and how fast you wanna go lol.

From what I have been hearing dirt costs are considerbaly less and the winnings are alot more. Hence why it may be more competetive and get so many more cars. The big $ isn't as much as an advantage on dirt as it is on asphalt.
Anyway, just my thoughts but don't wanna turn it into another why FL asphalt racing sucks these days lol.

[bubba]

Thanks - I have always wondered what kind of money people have tied up and are throwing into it. I figured tires would be a big one. Are there deals/sponsor programs for getting decent prices on them?

Do the motor builders do any leasing or "service contract" type things?

Anyway, just my thoughts but don't wanna turn it into another why FL asphalt racing sucks these days lol.

Definitely NOT the intent of the thread!! I have beat that one to death myself.

[SLMnum8]

Thanks - I have always wondered what kind of money people have tied up and are throwing into it. I figured tires would be a big one. Are there deals/sponsor programs for getting decent prices on them?

Do the motor builders do any leasing or "service contract" type things?



Definitely NOT the intent of the thread!! I have beat that one to death myself.

Tire deals....not that I know of. I have seen Wayne doing tire tests for Hoosier a few years back but couldn't tell you if any deals were made or even available.

We've never been able to afford new so sorry I'm no help there either lol.

The big teams have probably $200,000 - $300,000+ in their operations plus a operating budget of $50,00 + a year if racing fairly often. I've personally seen teams spend as much on a race weekend as the winning purse. That gets tough to compete against not to mention when you add their experience. The saying, "Racing costs money, how fast you wanna go?" is true now more than ever....and unfortunately getting worse.