A look at the costs of FV vs. other classes
Having just completed my novice year in an FV, I feel qualified to offer some perspective on the class from one distinct point of view - the old guy (58) new entry into racing.
After flagging some of the local venues in the 2012 season (including SOVREN, SCCA and ICSCC) I was able to review the typical entry level choices: CF, FF, FC, FV, vintage vee. There are no FST's running up here, so I did not consider that class.
I wanted to do open wheel, always have, and leaned mightily towards CF since those are the cars I grew up watching since the 70's; but was given sage advice by Brian McCarthy, Jim Cutts, Stephen Saslow, Bob Posner and many others that Vee is the way to learn momentum driving which is a prerequisite for driving anything. Made complete sense.
With the good sized contingent of vintage vees, here in the PNW, that choice was viable, but I liked the zero-roll of the FV so that's where I went. I spent $6k for a good, well-set up regional Caracal that needed the engine freshened and some tires, etc. So I was all set.
Started the season with driver's school, entered every race I could get to without a passport and completed every race, practice, qualifying and test and tune I entered thanks to my reliable - but expensive - Noble motor. Put 27 hours on the engine (Hobbs Meter), got lots of seat time, learned tons from a great group of very generous FV drivers, actually finished 2nd in one race of three cars (having actually passed the leader once when he wasn't paying attention, then got passed back - but it WAS quite a thrill for a novice).
I decided to race in ICSCC because there were other FV's in conference and they have 14 races compared to SCCA's 3 regionals. In the majors I would have been a moving cone for the national drivers, so ICSCC was a natural choice for me and they have an excellent novice program (shameless plug).
What would I have done differently? Nothing, except perhaps buy a more modern FV with a brand newly overhauled National engine for about $3k less than what I have invested in this car - but there's only one way to learn the economics of racing and I do not regret my choices. I've had a great time with the car and I now truly believe that learning to drive a momentum car like an FV is the way for a novice driver to start in open wheel.
So, long-winded opening complete - on to the opinion about FV:
For the same money I could have bought a decent CF. There's a tight run group here of CF guys that are having as much fun as the FV run group - maybe more because they have more cars on track typically - and they're not afraid to race in the rain.
For maybe the same or a little less, I could have bought an FC - some smoking deals out there for FC's - but reality says that would have been a mistake with complications of wings and the much higher operating costs of engine rebuilds, tranny issues and if I bent the front of it, a good used VW beam won't bolt right on ;-)
For less money I could have gone vintage vee which has a very stable and tight knit run group here in SOVREN. Plus they have those tires that last forever.
So - those are the open wheel entry level choices for an old guy with money. It will be different for a young guy with money. They will be looking to move up fast. It will be different again for a young, middle-aged or old guy on a fixed income (less money) they will be looking for the cheapest way to go racing - and that my friends is in tin tops - so they really have to WANT to race open wheel.
In retrospect I believe I did the right thing starting in FV - however I see novices showing up with CF's. They will have the same learning curve as I, their learning curve steepness depends on many variables, most with the driver - not the car, mostly. They have already decided that they want to run a CF (or more) and that's what they bought.
I have not yet decided if I want to stay with FV (after at least another year of learning to drive, which I need); move "up" to a CF - or stay with FV because it's fun, has a good group of guys and I still have a lot to learn.
I could sell the FV at the end of next season at a huge loss and move up to a CF - makes the novice CF guys' decision to just start with CF a very wise move - if that's the logical next step for a new-entrant open wheel novice.
So, the answer to the question lies within the FV's "cost competition" for new drivers of all sorts, old, young, millionaires or misers - the costs are very much the same whether it's FV, vintage vee or CF (FST in some regions as well) - maybe CF is a little more, but it all depends on your damage and engine rebuilds - running costs do not appear to be much different.
Fuel, entry fees, lodging and travel are the highest expenses for most racers. Routine maintenance of the car, tires and safety equipment are additional costs - but again, regardless of class.
For just about the same money - which class would a novice racer choose to gain entry into open wheel racing? FV, Vintage Vee, FST or CF?
In my opinion, if we want them to choose FV, then it needs to be a lot less expensive than the other choices.
I'm glad I did because vees are a blast, trouble free in my case and a really great group of racers!
Addendum to my earlier post
Earlier, I said "In my opinion, if we want them to choose FV, then it needs to be a lot less expensive than the other choices.".
I would like to add that the cost factor becomes less important as the local run group gets larger. The local PRO 3 run group is very big, at least 20 PRO 3 's at every single race, some races 40 or even 50 very equally matched Beemers banging around the track. That run group is large, friendly, growing and very supportive - and they attract a lot of attention (real spectators) and grow every year. They did an exhibition race at this years SOVREN July 4th extravaganza to attract even more attention to themselves.
So, either the FV class becomes attractive due to less cost - or it becomes attractive because there's really good racing for all levels, thereby becoming hugely fun - like the NEFV guys are working towards - more power to you guys!
The FC guys up here in the PNW are doing the same thing with some good success - but if you're going to race FC, watch out in Spokane because they OWN that track :checkered: !! That is another great bunch of open wheel fanatics that will try to lure you into their lair of Pintos - and it's easy to be tempted by FC cars being sold for the price of a regional FV.