Operating Costs & Time requirements

[CenDiv4]

Can someone give a break down or provide some info on operating expenses for the Standard FM not Pro. I am looking for info on what a typical race weekend costs and how much work is involved beforehand during and after the weekend. How long does the rebuilds on engine/tranny etc. last.

Thanks

JD

[Darryl Wills]

As all classes, running at the pointy end of the field ALWAYS costs more. Tires are your biggest expense. Generally, it takes a new set each day to run up front. But you will have really good tires to run practice days with. Newbies can get by with one set a weekend. Don't buy into that garbage that pump gas is just fine. Pump gas is inconsistent and can cause motor failure. I run a 50/50 mix of race fuel and pump gas. PFC brake pads last forever and work decent, I don't run them. Figure on replacing a set of gears or a wear ring every other weekend. Sooo.... with entry fees, practice day fee, fuel costs, tire bill, travel expense and incidentals a safe figure would be 3-4 thousand a weekend.

Motor last between 60-100 hours for front runners and forever for newbies. This is of course if you do not let it get hot, change the oil regular and run good fuel in it. A professionally setup gearbox is good for 300 hours if taken care of.

Between races preparation consists of inspecting the entire chassis for worn parts(1 hour), inspecting gearbox(2 hours), washing car(1-2 hours), checking and bleeding brakes(1-2 hours), resetting toe and ride height(1-2 hours), clean air filter and change engine oil(1-2 hours) plus whatever parts were found to need replacing or servicing. These things started life as school cars and are built like tanks. That is why most of the components are way over built and last for the life of the car.

Hope this helps,
Darryl Wills

[CenDiv4]

Darryl,

Thanks for the response and info. I appreciate it.

[wannabe]

Okay, now for the newbie response:Just got back from the double Saarc weekend:Car prep, about 4-6 hours, including washing, checking fluids, nut and bolting, checking moving parts, can do yourself but paid 250. Hotel stay 160.00. Towing expense (250 miles) 200.00. Gas for racecar 75.00. Used tire expense for weekend 200.00 plus 75. mounting and balancing. Ice and eats for the weekend 100.00. Alchohol consumption is not included, nor were the party girls....Oh yeah entry fee 375?? Total=bout 1500. bucks. Cost about the same as a weekend away on th golf course with your buddies...Granted you'll run bout the middle of the pack unless you splurge and buy new tires(800).

[racingflyboy]

Total=bout 1500. bucks. Cost about the same as a weekend away on th golf course with your buddies...Granted you'll run bout the middle of the pack unless you splurge and buy new tires(800).

Yeah, but even on really bad old tires, you're gonna have a lot more fun than anyone on a Golf Course! (been there, tried that. if you think my driving is poor....)

Steve Barkley
Euroswift SE-1 FF