Rough idea of racing costs??

[Tony.OK]

Hi all,I'm thinking about giving racing a go and am just wondering how much its gonna cost.
Would maybe run a 600 bike,so assuming bike is sorted,
cost per race meet?
are meets just one day or is quals the day before(do i need time off work?)
do many ppl race on their own(without pit crew?)
how many meets a season.....VMCC?......PacificMCC?
Sorry for the noob ??????

Am currently on an 06 Blade fairly kitted out and doing 1.40-1.41's at Taupo with Diablo's on .
I'd be selling up to have a crack at racing so just trying to work out a rough budget of sorts.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated:clap:

[James Deuce]

3 times what anybody tells you it will cost. Still worth it though.

Don't crash either because it very quickly becomes 12 times what you budgeted.

[Toast]

Cost per meet:
Entry fees: $80ish
Fuel: for 2 classes at Vic Club on a 600, maybe $60.
Tyres: Depends how serious you are. I've made a set of 002 Streets last 4 meets and was still able to sell them at the end, so that was about $150 per meeting (also had some test days in there). Ofcourse this will vary with riding style, suspension set up, tyre choice, etc.
So that's about $250, not including transport costs, oil changes, and other consumable like chains, sprockets, crash replacements, etc.

Most meets are one day, with qualifying and racing all in one day. Vic Club had a two day meet on a Sat/Sun this year. So long as you aren't travelling miles to the venue, you shouldn't need to take any time off work.

Racing on your own is sweet, but help in the pits makes life a lot easier. Just pit beside someone who's not in the same class as you, and help each other with the tyre warmers, stands, etc. thing before and after every race.

VMCC: 6 meets. AMCC: about 4, I think. PMCC: 4 planned but who really knows.

With those times on a 600 you'd have come top 10 at the last round of VMCC at Taupo, and I'm sure you'd go faster with the competition :niceone: Racing is a fair bit different to a track day though, and first time out in F2 you'll likely find yourself getting crap starts and being stuck behind a bunch who are slower than but you won't be able to pass. That's all part of the learning experience though. Give it a go! One of the best decisions I ever made :niceone:

[Toast]

Oh, and don't foget the cost of stands, warmers, ramps, tools, spares just in case, transit insurance, etc.

And Jim is probably right, my estimates no exception. The more competitive you get, the more it will cost.

[White trash]

Club racing's fairly inexpensive by comparison. Providing you don't take into account the bike and set up costs.

$600 in tyres a meeting, twice that if it rains. $100 in fuel or there abouts. Somewhere in the region of $100 entry. Travel and accomodation depends on how far ya gotta go.


Cost us around $40K so far on the K7 and it's still nowhere near competitive.

[Shaun]

Club racing's fairly inexpensive by comparison. Providing you don't take into account the bike and set up costs.

$600 in tyres a meeting, twice that if it rains. $100 in fuel or there abouts. Somewhere in the region of $100 entry. Travel and accomodation depends on how far ya gotta go.


Cost us around $40K so far on the K7 and it's still nowhere near competitive.


Is that the bike or Rider?

[White trash]

Lol, the rider. He's got a bit of a mental issue since losing the front trying to be a hero rather than a racer.

All good now thogh I reckon, pretty much got it sorted for this weekend using some tips an old fast bugger gave me :D

[Tony.OK]

Great stuff guys,I'm sure if i explain it nicely to the MRS that she wont be getting any pressies for xmas cause i need tyres she'll be happy :)
I guess you dont have to race in every meet depending on bugdet,knowing me the Bug would bite pretty hard.

[dhunt]

Oh, and don't foget the cost of stands, warmers, ramps, tools, spares just in case, transit insurance, etc.

And Jim is probably right, my estimates no exception. The more competitive you get, the more it will cost.
Yeah this what has really caught me out this year is all the setup costs. Hopefully most of them are one offs so should be cheaper next year.

The other thing I would have done different this year is instead of starting off with a road bike and trying to turn it into race bike would be to buy someone elses ex race bike. Would have worked out much cheaper in the long run :brick:.

[Tony.OK]

Yeah this what has really caught me out this year is all the setup costs. Hopefully most of them are one offs so should be cheaper next year.

The other thing I would have done different this year is instead of starting off with a road bike and trying to turn it into race bike would be to buy someone elses ex race bike. Would have worked out much cheaper in the long run :brick:.

Thats my way of thinking,sell my Blade and its goodies,pick up a reasonable prepd bike,only worry with that is reliabilty though.
I've got nearly 30k invetsted in this bike so would hate to race it and wreck it then find out i'm not having fun.
Mind you a new GSXR600 for 14k,spend another 3k and have a reliable quickish bike.................If only I could pick sum winning lotto #'s

[k14]

Mind you a new GSXR600 for 14k,spend another 3k and have a reliable quickish bike.................If only I could pick sum winning lotto #'s
Reliable yes, quickish no. Make that an extra 10k and you may be verging on quickish. Upgraded suspension is pretty much compulsary (added safety, also better tyre wear), race fairings (painted of course), race exhaust system, power commander (cause race exhaust is no use without it) then maybe some nice rearsets and bars/levers. Then you're staring at 10k and you haven't even hit the track yet.

Have a look around, now isn't probably the best time for a used 600. But after nationals (March next year) you should be able to pick up a decent bike fully sorted for $15k max.

[FROSTY]

I run my racing as a business so If you want accurate figures I can give them to you.
If you stick to north island racing you have 14 meetings you can attend
Costs wise Id allow an average of $150/$200 per meeting for fuel-being transport vehicle fuel and bike fuel- this is based on traveling an average of 600km return to every meeting-300km average each way .Tyres I allow $300 a meeting or 1 set per 2 meetings.-There is no allowance there to sell the tyres afterwards so you could sell them as they will be showing good tread depth
entry fees I allow $100 per meeting. Accomodation I allow $75 per meeting average.
running costs I allow $100 per meeting. This covers oil changes and a lever or two.
These figures are based on the last 3 seasons racing in formula 3 at the 3 tracks --manfeild/taupo/pukie and having the team based in west auckland .Ive removed engine rebuild /crash damage costs Ive also removed all national level meetingsnational level I allow 1 set of tyres per meeting and double fuel /maintainence costs

[Tony.OK]

I run my racing as a business so If you want accurate figures I can give them to you.
If you stick to north island racing you have 14 meetings you can attend at club level

That'd be really helpful Frosty.
Assuming I've got everything I needed to race,whats it costing you to compete in one meeting?
It costs me about 250-300 just to do a track day all up.

[FROSTY]

I did an edit on my last post for ya--those numbers are straight outa the books

[Toast]

The other thing I would have done different this year is instead of starting off with a road bike and trying to turn it into race bike would be to buy someone elses ex race bike. Would have worked out much cheaper in the long run :brick:.

Agree with that!

Buying a well looked after and set up race bike from a reputable team is the way to go, in my opinion.

Second to that would be buying an insurance wreck if you can get it cheap. Raid eBay for forks and wheels and you can come out well ahead.

[koba]

Another option is to keeep the nice road bike and scratch up enough cash for a cheap streetstock effort for a wee while, then your not so fucked if you decide its not for you.
Streetstock is on cheap bikes with cheap tyres and cheaper than cheap mods. (none, pretty much)

I got my bike (rg 150, same as most others) for $1500 with a spare.
2x new conti GO (not the macdaddy dunlop tt900s) came to about $200 fitted.
$40 for a new clutch cable inner
$100 New chain (fitted, these are tiny non o-ring cheapies)
about $100 per race entry and transponder hire (same as any other bike)
around $50 Bike gas and fancy 2 stroke oil per day worst case.


And I commute on it!

Great fun till it blows up, and even rebuilds are RELITIVLEY cheap.

[GSVR]

You could always rent one of these racers.

http://2002.motorcyclesport.co.nz/content.cfm?id=1549

Sorry but this must provide a non biased insite into cost. I notice the cost of tyres hasn't changed much.

[Robert Taylor]

Agree with that!

Buying a well looked after and set up race bike from a reputable team is the way to go, in my opinion.

Second to that would be buying an insurance wreck if you can get it cheap. Raid eBay for forks and wheels and you can come out well ahead.

There are a lot of dodgy ex racebikes that have been sold over the years with the sellers only concern being to quit. Very often you can be buying something with worn out gear. BE VERY CAREFUL.

[GSVR]

There are a lot of dodgy ex racebikes that have been sold over the years with the sellers only concern being to quit. Very often you can be buying something with worn out gear. BE VERY CAREFUL.

Gezz Robert I didn't think my bike was that bad. And I wasn't really intending quitting.

[Sully60]

Another option is to keeep the nice road bike and scratch up enough cash for a cheap streetstock effort for a wee while, then your not so fucked if you decide its not for you.


I tend to agree with the concept, though not necessarily on a 150. If you can do 40's at Towpow a one fiddy could get a little tedious in fairly quick order.

You've probably got a good idea of the costs based on the earlier posts so you know what you can achieve financially.
The thing you need to think about is what class or form of racing will give you the best bang for ya buck.

Our old mate Mr Code says you get better at riding by riding and thinking about it and we all get enough time to think about it. What I'm trying to say is think about a bike you can ride at as many meetings as possible.
So if you do want to do 10 or 15 of those 4, 5, $600?? weekends a year you'll need to factor in the differences between classes in terms of consumables. You'll already have an idea of tyre wear if you've been riding around that "bloody Taupo".

You don't improve as well on sub standard machines so you want your bike to be top notch everytime you ride it.You want to be able to ride as hard as you can go everytime not going the same speed or slower than last time because you're riding on shagged tyres or you need to service the suspension etc etc.

Anyway just another angle to think about.
What ever you do just make sure get something you actually enjoy riding!
Good luck!

[roadracingoldfart]

All i can say is you guys are spending WAY TOO MUCH to do a non championship / prize money series.

I do ok as some of you know and if i had ambition i couild manage better im sure. Hell i think im a front runner in my chosen class.

A season for me doing the VMCC winter series is not even a fraction of what some of you have quoted here. What are you doing wrong ??? .

Seriously i need to ask what the hell are you really spending the cash on , is it product at FULL RETAIL ? well get a sponsor or just beg for a better deal , anything. I get a set of tyres for less than $300.00 fitted (yes they are good tyres) and i have spare fuel left from 16 litres avgas every round.
Sure i am only doing 1 class but shit , start to do a few deals with suppliers,find the importer not the retailers. If you want to ask me for help with info just PM me and ill see what i can do.

Cheers Paul.

[Two Smoker]

To be a front runner, it generally costs me about a grand a meet at Club level. Nationals skyrockets that bill...

To buy a 600 stock and get it competetive you are looking at around 30 grand...

[Tony.OK]

Thanks for all the info and ideas guys,much appreciated.No matter which way I go its gonna cost money,the difference will be me at the end of the day,will I be happy just doing it(not a winning attitude) or will I be frustrated not doing well?
Only way i guess is to have the balls to commit to having a go,can't regret trying aye?

So who's looking for an 06 Blade then? hahaa

[cowpoos]

To be a front runner, it generally costs me about a grand a meet at Club level. Nationals skyrockets that bill...

To buy a 600 stock and get it competetive you are looking at around 30 grand...
it cost you a grand?? come on bro!! your talking your self up here now...you don't eat that many pies!!

[GaZBur]

...And I commute on it! ...


I'm in the same boat mate! My race budget is an old piece of rope coloured with boot polish so it resembles a shoe string!
My typical expenses
$40 entry fee - South Island prices - sometimes as low as $20
$50 worth of rubber - for a large track day - heaps less for motards, hill climbs etc.
$10 petrol.
I usually ride to the meeting before stripping off the plate so its usually less than $100 plus travel. The bike i use bounces when you drop it so no costs for repairs. OK - I am not on competitive machinery - but I bet I have more fun than most and have surprised a few who thought they should be in front of me but weren't.
Whatever your budget or aspirations are - just have a go!!!!

[Racey Rider]

Where do you fallas get that kind of money from????

I ride Streetstock 150. (bike value - $1000) - No tyre warmers
$500 odd for Vic club race season fees with transponder hire.
One set of tyres lasts TWO YEARS.

My full vic club season budget is $1000
$2000 if I want to do each practice/test day beforehand.

Sleep in the car if you have too.

Theres good close racing to be had in the smaller classes.

[vtec]

Check out this bike that I've got for sale... it's ex-Andrew Stroud. Much cheaper than the 30k that two smoker has suggested it would cost to mod a new bike yourself.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=125268188

I got consistant 1.39's on it, and I was being a pussy on the brakes.

Well set up race bike with spare rims. I'm going back to racing my CBR250, for the fun not the glory. Going to get tender basted in F3 on it.

[feral1]

Oh, and don't foget the cost of stands, warmers, ramps, tools, spares just in case, transit insurance, etc.

And Jim is probably right, my estimates no exception. The more competitive you get, the more it will cost.

Hey Toast,

What do you mean by 'Transit insurance"? does your insurance company cover your bike and gear while its in the back of the van enroute to the track (fire and theft, etc)??

Who you with?

Cheers
Feral


PS your old blade is still runnin sweet :)

[Toast]

Hey Toast,

What do you mean by 'Transit insurance"? does your insurance company cover your bike and gear while its in the back of the van enroute to the track (fire and theft, etc)??

Who you with?

Cheers
Feral


PS your old blade is still runnin sweet :)

Yeah, I get Transit, Fire and theft from John Baker Insurance (Brokers). Good to know if I get t-boned or something that my baby will be replaced. PM 'Jetboy' on this forum if you want to know more :niceone:

Spoke to Hamish the other day...sounds like he's staying out of trouble on it...just!

[madkeenandy]

One set of tyres lasts TWO YEARS.



?!?!?! i can imagine a set of slicks lasting 2 years..... but treads??????:crazy:

I'm going to be pushing it to get three South island national rounds out of brand new BT39s - after that they will be shagged....

[Racey Rider]

First year th'er treads,
second year th'er Slicks :laugh:

I got sent to the head Race steward at the last Vic round in Taupo as a Marshal was unsure if my tires were still suitable to race on.

But then, I ride like a Nanna!

[madkeenandy]

But then, I ride like a Nanna!

well, i've heard ur ubelievable under brakes....

no need to be quite so harsh on urself

[codgyoleracer]

Costs will be very much driven by choice of bike, rider reliabilty, lap time expectancy /goals of the rider, distances to be travelled to tracks, availabilty of free accomodation when away, crash repairs, the riders own "acceptable level" of bike presentation, the support of sponsors. Blah Blah Blah Blah

[roogazza]

Costs will be very much driven by choice of bike, rider reliabilty, lap time expectancy /goals of the rider, distances to be travelled to tracks, availabilty of free accomodation when away, crash repairs, the riders own "acceptable level" of bike presentation, the support of sponsors. Blah Blah Blah Blah

Cheers Codgy, I pity the competitors of today , as a young dad of 3, I had to scrounge around to do my racing even in the seventies. Travel was the big cost (motels etc.) but other than that I actually made money, or rather the racing paid for itself ! ( a win was $100 to $120 then !!)
I turned down free bikes believe it or not ? cos I only wanted to pick my meets and never bothered to chase National points. ( unless of course,they were at the meet I was going to).
The price of tyres alone today makes my hair fall out ! Gaz.

[codgyoleracer]

Cheers Codgy, I pity the competitors of today , as a young dad of 3, I had to scrounge around to do my racing even in the seventies. Travel was the big cost (motels etc.) but other than that I actually made money ! or rather it paid for itself ! ( a win was $100 to $120 then !!)
I turned down free bikes believe it or not ? cos I only wanted to pick my meets and never bothered to chase National points unless they were at the meet I was going to.
The price of tyres alone today makes my hair fall out ! Gaz.

Ahh those were the days - when you went home with money in your pocket !, I do remember em.
I agree that being given a bike places a lot of obligation on the rider to ride the thing rain , hail or shine & therefore needs to be thouight about long & hard before saying "yes".
The actual machine costs in my experience equates to about 25% of the actual overall cost. (Unless of course you really munt the thing badly & roll it into a ball), - then you end up on the winning side - but the drawback of that is the bike provider suddenly becomes less willing to supply another unit................

[GaZBur]

$ 40 Entry Teretonga
$ 50 Entry Wyndham Street Race
$ 60 B & B in Invercargill 1 night
$ 30 Approx wear on tyres??
$ 50 Petrol includes racing and the return ride from Dunedin
$230 Total for a huge weekend where I had a lot of fun. Good eh!

Didn't include the food coz I eat when I'm not racing too!