DE Budget
02-12-2018, 12:18 PM
#16
Rennlist Member
I'm probably an outlier since I run street tires and only run at events I instruct at, but I spend under $1k/weekend all in. Sometimes well under that if I split a hotel or camp. Add the track fee in for not instructing and I'd say $1,500/weekend is about right for street tires on 981S (probably similar for 991, but I don't have one so I don't know).
02-12-2018, 02:07 PM
#17
Race Director
Last season, I did about 35-40 track days, both DE's and open track days at my membership track.
I added up what I thought were all the expenses involved, including, but not limited to:
Registration fees, track insurance, travel miles (fuel), track fuel, lodging, food, beverage, trailer tires and maintenance, track car maintenance items (pads, rotors, tires, etc), mods to track car, tips for instructors, cigars, track snacks, Gatorade, etc etc. All in all, think I thought of pretty much everything, but I'm sure there are expenses I left out.
When all added together, I had spent about $38,000 total on the 35 to 40 track days. Again, this is TOTAL, every little thing I could think of.
I then realized, much to my surprise, that I was spending about $1000 per day total for every day on track.
Once I realized how much I was spending, I swore I would never tell my wife and kids what that number was. I still haven't. I am not lying to her. I am just not bringing it up, and she has never really asked.
One thing is for sure. I AM NOT taking anything away from my wife and kids (financially) with my track spending. Only my time, and that, in the end, may turn out to be the biggest expense of all.
Sorry CharleyH, I added it up. I think everybody should just to see how stupidly expensive this hobby really is. Will put other things in perspective.
To the OP, be open and honest with your wife, unless that will hurt you. In that case, lie like a rug!!
I added up what I thought were all the expenses involved, including, but not limited to:
Registration fees, track insurance, travel miles (fuel), track fuel, lodging, food, beverage, trailer tires and maintenance, track car maintenance items (pads, rotors, tires, etc), mods to track car, tips for instructors, cigars, track snacks, Gatorade, etc etc. All in all, think I thought of pretty much everything, but I'm sure there are expenses I left out.
When all added together, I had spent about $38,000 total on the 35 to 40 track days. Again, this is TOTAL, every little thing I could think of.
I then realized, much to my surprise, that I was spending about $1000 per day total for every day on track.
Once I realized how much I was spending, I swore I would never tell my wife and kids what that number was. I still haven't. I am not lying to her. I am just not bringing it up, and she has never really asked.
One thing is for sure. I AM NOT taking anything away from my wife and kids (financially) with my track spending. Only my time, and that, in the end, may turn out to be the biggest expense of all.
Sorry CharleyH, I added it up. I think everybody should just to see how stupidly expensive this hobby really is. Will put other things in perspective.
To the OP, be open and honest with your wife, unless that will hurt you. In that case, lie like a rug!!
Its an expensive hobby, no doubt, but thats why I decided to buy a cheap 986 boxster to track instead of my 997tt. Better to learn with, no insurance necessary, and consumables would be nearly free compared to the turbo. I know I can't spend $1k a day on this hobby, so I found a cheaper way to have fun.
02-12-2018, 02:21 PM
#18
Rennlist Member
Definitely ways to mitigate this. One is attitude, do you want to win the DE Trophy every event? If so, you'll be spending a lot of money on really stick tires and brakes. If you just want to have fun and improve your skills, a set of tires can last an entire season, depending on how many events of course. Your choice in car will dramatically effect your spending budget as well, the M3 is pretty cheap to run.
I tend to make it to 6 events a year, maybe 8 days worth? I can get a set of R compounds to last the entire season, mostly because the M3 is pretty gentle on tires and I can rotate them to any corner of the car. I instruct for NASA, so no event fees with them, but I do pay when I run with PCA. The M3 is pretty gentle on brakes/tires and is fairly reliable. I probably spend $300 an event, spread across the season.
I tend to make it to 6 events a year, maybe 8 days worth? I can get a set of R compounds to last the entire season, mostly because the M3 is pretty gentle on tires and I can rotate them to any corner of the car. I instruct for NASA, so no event fees with them, but I do pay when I run with PCA. The M3 is pretty gentle on brakes/tires and is fairly reliable. I probably spend $300 an event, spread across the season.
02-12-2018, 02:39 PM
#19
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Well, to be fair, you jumped in on the deep end of the pool with a 991 turbo. Expensive tires, brakes, insurance etc.
Its an expensive hobby, no doubt, but thats why I decided to buy a cheap 986 boxster to track instead of my 997tt. Better to learn with, no insurance necessary, and consumables would be nearly free compared to the turbo. I know I can't spend $1k a day on this hobby, so I found a cheaper way to have fun.
Its an expensive hobby, no doubt, but thats why I decided to buy a cheap 986 boxster to track instead of my 997tt. Better to learn with, no insurance necessary, and consumables would be nearly free compared to the turbo. I know I can't spend $1k a day on this hobby, so I found a cheaper way to have fun.
I got a dedicated track car, which is a 14 Cayman S that pulls the track duty these last couple years. That's what I'm basing that $1000 on. Tires, brake pads, mods, it all adds up very quickly. Throw in food, bevy's, reg fees, and lodging and I got to that number pretty quickly.
I have accepted the cost as part of this hobby. It is what it is.
02-12-2018, 03:36 PM
#20
Drifting
02-12-2018, 03:42 PM
#22
Rennlist Member
^^^^ This. Once you add compete/racing to any hobby (I don't care if it is playing cribbage......) it becomes expensive. Amazing how we justify what we need for racing. Additionally, try quitting....
02-12-2018, 03:45 PM
#23
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Been trying for thirty-five plus years. Can't do it!
Tires are my largest single line item...
Not too many things better than a warm slick, on the first hot lap!
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-Peter Krause
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www.peterkrause.net
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"Combining the Art and Science of Driving Fast!"
Specializing in Professional, Private Driver Performance Evaluation and Optimization
Consultation Available Remotely and at VIRginia International Raceway
02-12-2018, 04:10 PM
#24
02-12-2018, 05:07 PM
#25
I remember using 5 sets of tires a year for DE. The last graphics I put on my old 930 was a credit card slot on A pillar. Use to be in the 30+ days. Dam 930. I could have had 2 Cup cars & a tow rig :-) I have Damon on speed dial at Tire Rack.
02-12-2018, 05:11 PM
#26
Failing that, get her involved! Because as many have already said, once you get involved in this "hobby", it's all over. Seriously.
Gary
02-12-2018, 05:14 PM
#27
del
02-12-2018, 05:17 PM
#28
02-12-2018, 05:21 PM
#29
WRONGLY ACCUSED!
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I have tire racks in my basement holding about 4 sets of tires mounted and a few stacks of unmounted tires. I believe my wife thinks they are always the same tires and I just pick and choose which ones I use and then return them to the tire rack. Probably in the same way I choose not to notice the new pocketbooks in her closet.
I'm pretty sure we both know what we are doing and choose to believe the other doesn't realize it.
Retaliatory spending - its a bitch!
I'm pretty sure we both know what we are doing and choose to believe the other doesn't realize it.
Retaliatory spending - its a bitch!
