Tappet

Hi All,

For those of you who track your GT3's, I was wondering what approximate maintenance costs you incur as a result of track days of any sort. I'm considering buying a GT3 of some form, and I love to drive at the track. My current track car is a Lotus Elise, and all-in on tires, brakes, fuel, accelerated wear, each HPDE-style track day costs me approximately $800 in amortized maintenance, while a race weekend is on the order of $3,000. I know this will be much higher in a 911, but I'm just wondering about the ballpark.

Thanks.

GrantG

Biggest expense for me (and biggest change from Lotus) is the cost of tires (over $2k) and frequency of replacement (rears every 3 half days and fronts every 4 or 5 half days for me).

Btw, I got 12 half days from my first set and then got a couple seconds faster and tire wear increased exponentially…

zedcat

I was using $1k per day excluding fuel, event fees, insurance and travel costs. You probably know tires are the largest consumable so which tires you run and how far you stretch them is a variable. I would usually plan on 6 days/24 HC, but almost never did that. By day 4 they were well past their best and I would replace them for the next event. Whether you buy insurance is another large item in total cost. That was about $4-500 per day on declared value of about 160k. Another variable is if you DIY or use a shop for brakes, fluids, etc. I did some of both. Good idea to have some contingency set aside of course. I repaired windshields a few times which could have been replacement. I also had costs for cracked brake caliper piston ceramic caps. Had the car aligned about once per season.

You may also want to search here and in the racing and DE forum. This topic has come up before. Of course some will say never add up the costs!

tstafford

I’ve tracked the heck out of 991 GT cars inc. 3K track miles on an RS. It’s just consumables - oil, brakes and tires. Tires are the most. But none of that matters because the car handles the work which can’t be said for most other brands.

pjazz

I never tried to figure it out. I don't think I want to know.

Tappet

Ok, so it's not as bad as I feared. My $800/day included fuel and 2 engines and 3 transmissions amortized over 12 years of tracking.

The Lotus goes ALL day, no matter the heat or punishment, which is why I love it, and in the track day group which I've run, I've noticed that the Porsches also just keep going and going without issue. Lots of other cars leave on flat beds. I'm tired of trying to chase you Porsche guys down with only 200HP available to me, so might as well join the club.

zedcat

If you need to replace engine or PDK out of warranty that will blow up the numbers I quoted. Also for long term use there are some track mileage based replacement costs. Every 6k track miles the central wheel bolts and the rear hubs/bearings are to be replaced. Every 12k miles the front hubs/bearings are to be replaced. I never got to those mileages with either of my 991s. You can check parts cost for those on suncoast parts or other sites

usrodeo4

I will leave others to provide the data you are requesting, I just wanted to add my 2 cents. I could certainly afford to track my GT2 if I prioritized that utility high enough, but I am kind of glad I did my Racing (not tracking) in my youth when I had enough talent that most of my expenses were covered by sponsors, including the vehicles. Tracking a modern GT car (especially a GT2) at or near racing speed is a hobby that requires not only passion but also not inconsequential financial and time commitments. I tip my hat to those that do it.

Tappet

Haha, tell me about it. I've spent 10x the price of my car on track costs.

Spinout

I purchased a 991.2 GT3 early this year to replace my dedicated track car, a track prepped 996 40thAE

After 3 track event/6 track days in the GT3, I’ve found all expendables and service has increased by a factor of at least 3. 3x the cost for tires, 3x for brake pads and rotors, 3x for oil service oil service, and track insurance went up by 6x! You name it, 3x more $$.

…And I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s worth every extra dollar. 😁

vantage

Ah I miss the low cost of tracking my Lotus. Basically felt free in comparison to a modern Porsche.

Kelvin Chan

Does anyone use PCCB on track? Which one is better and costly (iron disc or PCCB?)

tstafford

This is hotly debated.

Speaking only for myself - iron. I wouldn’t want to track a car with PCCB. But again, that’s just me.

usrodeo4

PCCB for a real track car is only a good idea if someone else is paying for your brakes or you have FU money

Thiemrodt911

I have pccb on my gt3. The car has never been tracked/6000 miles. If I were to track once or twice a year, is it really necessary to change to steel? All I've read says pccb's will last a very very long time under normal everyday driving. I hate to think for a track day or two a year, I have to switch over to steel. Thoughts??