Cheap racing series

[Captain_Rat]

While I was surfing the web I found a pretty interesting racing series. Chump Car looks like something that would be pretty easy on the budget to get into, at least compared to SCCA or something. They're running on a lot of cool tracks too. I'm going to try and put a team together for this! Check it out at www.chumpcar.com

[BuickRacer]

How is this budget racing when theres a $900 entry fee??????

[tedrichard]

How is this budget racing when theres a $900 entry fee??????

You gotta remember, the sporty car set lives in a different world than we do! Believe me, the numbers they're talking about to run that series is pocket change compared to what they're used to! Roadracing is NOT for the financially challenged. Me, I raced for 25 years, never had a sponsor of more than $25 a week and did it on a salary of $10k to $25k a year. There ain't no way on the PLANET that you could do that in roadracing! I did get to do a little roadracing in the Legends cars and I really loved it. Always wished I could have done more.

[Captain_Rat]

How is this budget racing when theres a $900 entry fee??????

We raced Lemons this year so we have a good idea of the "real costs". It's true that a team will spend $3000-$5000 to race (car+fees). Then you divide that by 6 drivers for roughly $750 per person racing experience. Considering you'll get 4 hours seat time, that amounts to just under $200 per hour for real wheel to wheel racing. That is budget. And the whole experience is really enjoyable too since everyone is just there to have fun.

Also keep in mind that as long as you don't destroy your car, you reuse it next time and the cost drops to $150/person or $40/hr.

[Bosco]

Ya might get 4 hrs of seat time, but more likely a whole lot less. How many
500 dollar cars are gonna last 24 hrs. In addition how safe is it to race in this type of rolling junk going 100 plus mph. I don't see folks spending the money for truly safe cages, seats, fire systems and the like. They are going to do it in a minimal way.

IMO...these type of series offer a "false economy of racing" and is inherently unsafe.

Most South East Division SCCA event entry fee's are in the 250-300 dollar range.
Have trained course workers and an excellent safety record.
For that you usually get a practice, qualifying and 2 races during the weekend.
I usually spend about 1200 for the weekend to road race my stock car at Sebring and Daytona.

It costs the same to transport the car, stay in hotels, feed the crew etc.
So the supposed economy is in the price of the car. Except for the fact that at the end of one of these events the Chumpcar or Lemons thing is worth nothing.

Properly built used race cars such as SCCA improved touring cars, Spec Miata's, asphalt and dirt racers can be picked up pretty cheaply right now.
You would have a faster, safer, more fun racer and something that has some value later.

My View:
There is no "cheap" racing, and trying to do it as described seems foolish and unsafe.

[Captain_Rat]

You make some correct points. If your car breaks, you won't get the full 4 hours. And your first time out you will incur the same costs as an SCCA race. But don't think for a minute that the cars are unsafe or the track staff is untrained.

The rules regarding car prep and safety are nearly identical to that of SCCA and NASA. You may spend $500 on the car, but you'll spend a few thousand on safety gear. And if someone thinks they can bluff their way though tech, they'll be sent home packing. The same tech inspectors who were on duty for the "pro" race a week earlier are back for these races.

And the track staff are full time, professional racers. No rookies watching the turns or the pits.

It's a different environment, yes, but not any more dangerous than other motorsports. Heck, I'd rather be side by side with one of these cars than on a dirt track some nights!

But hey, to each his own right?

[Bosco]

Captain, I am sure it is a hoot to particpate in and or watch and they have some "creative" rules that lend well to the good time atmosphere. The crushing of some rule busting car and the like.

I just think there is better, safer ways to spend your racing dollar.

I've seen a few of these cars and I still would classify them as rolling junk. They did have something like showroom stock cages, some kind of racing seat and a fire extinguisher, better than nothing but not optimal.

Like you said, "to each his own."

[RSB]

What do the SCCA races pay?

It would be kinda nice to receive some cash after the race. I wish some one would start a streetstock/sportsman road race class! I bought my first truck BECAUSE I saw Sebring was on the FASTRUCK schedule and Road Atlanta on the PARTS Pro series schedule(Lakeland too!). At Sebring, even though we only raced on a portion of the full track, it was far more fun than any other circle track racing I've ever done. If any of you guys have ever wanted to try road racing, the closest thing I've found is the go cart track in Ocala. It's a BLAST! The carts go around 50 to 60 mph and the track is 6/10ths of a mile. We usually get a group together and rent the track for $130 apiece but they now offer 10 minutes for $10. If anybody wants to race there, let me know. I'M IN!