Costs of Racing?

[R59]

Just fill it in as Mr G Gordon-Streeter, wear a nice hacking jacket, and you're finest pork pie hat - you know you want to!

Jolly good show! Carry on everyone!

Rob

[Eric Falce]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

Looking at some old race programmes from the early 60s most of the drivers seemed to have "double barreled" names. Perhaps I'll change my name by deed poll to up my credit rating !

Gordon Streeter-Lighter,or as Tim and my name has always been Falsie-Falce.
If we go back to the 60s,have a look at the crowds in the stands,the bank at Brands used to be jammed with cars and the noise when the driver did his lap of honour was something.We,the drivers,seem to be shouldering the main expense for meetings instead of attracting the paying public as in the good old days.

[Alan Cherry]

Gents,
returning to SPA ( I ain't been yet) take a look at the RCN series
www.r-c-n.com Mainly based at the ring, but I've just entered the SPA round in june for 345 euro. that's for a 40 lap change driver in the middle event.
that works out to 172 euro each for 140km each. That's £138.64 each at todays exchange rates. You can do it on a UK national A, and they have a historics section Al (pre'95).
It's not an expensive car - standardish rover 220 turbo coupe (astra still has dropped valve) probably the same as half a dozen full priced slicks !
Did the same series at the ring (GP Circuit) last year - all the officials very helpful. they even supply their own transponders! Didn't understand a word at the drivers briefing ! Been to Nightschool for german since, so will probably understand guten morgen this year before my eyes glaze over

[terence]

Exactly Eric,I put it down [as already stated] to the lack of local advertising by the Organising Clubs.The more spectators,the higher the gate value,surely that would help on entry fee's.Problem these days is that it's possibly £100 for a day out for a couple with two kid's time everything is taken into account,so the gate prices need to be more atractive inorder to get Joe through the gate.

[Chris Y]

Originally Posted by rcarr

I don't need a trophy to tell me how good I am at racing, I already know!

If you weren't so modest, you'd be perfect.

[terence]

Originally Posted by Chris Y

If you weren't so modest, you'd be perfect.

I did wonder how long it would take.

[watty]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

From reading what our European friends pay for entry fees, we have a bargin here in the states. My next two race weekend are $265 and $249. and that is TWO races each weekend, plus qual, and warm-up sessions each day.


Renting tracks is not too difficult, just have to get in any time that is available, and when a weekend opens up and offered, you take it.

Very interesting, I think for Club racing my fellow racers - you should all shift down under !
Last weekend at Ruapuna (Christchurch (NZ)) Club day 5 was $70 NZ for which we got - free practice, quals, 1 class race, 1 all in, and one all in handicap race...we normally also get a flying farewell, but due to incident enquiry we missed out !
June, we can run our club cars in a two day promoted meeting (V8 utes & TV) for $120 NZ !!

[andy97]

Originally Posted by AndyV

However I just spent an excellent day at my local oval track (Mendip raceway) and prices are at the other end of the scale, banger racers (contact allowed) get starting money as do the slick shod spaceframe Hot Rods. The Special Rods, a non contact formula of Ford Sierras pay a grand total £60 for a licence and to register for the whole year, NO entry fees. Cars cost around £500 to buy and prepare. At each meeting you get 2 heats and a final (or consolation round) of close frenetic racing with up to 40 cars on a 1/4mile oval. Bargain of the century I think.

Admittedly I’d rather be racing classics rather than sierras, but the economics are hard to argue with.

Andy

Crikey, I might have to investigate that - anyone know if there is anything similar near Derby/ Loughborough.

[AU N EGL]

Forget the trophies, bring on the BIG SPONSORS CONTRACTS and loads of Grid Girls.

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by terence bower

I did wonder how long it would take.

A latter day Gerry Marshall I'd say

[AndyV]

Originally Posted by andy97

Crikey, I might have to investigate that - anyone know if there is anything similar near Derby/ Loughborough.

Take a look here for short circuit locations.
http://www.saloonstockcars.com/

Andy

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by terence bower

I did wonder how long it would take.

Ah but he must be famous for something !!!!!

[terence]

Originally Posted by falcemob

A latter day Gerry Marshall I'd say

Never heard of him!










[Either]

[rcarr]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

Forget the trophies, bring on the BIG SPONSORS CONTRACTS and loads of Grid Girls.

It always comes back to grid girls! Grid girls don't make the sport any better, most of them are munters under all that make-up, my fiancee could give most of them a run for their money.

I feel they give it a bad reputation, its the Max Power influence coming into a gentleman's sport. We'll be having cheerleader shows at half time at rugby matches soon!

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by rcarr

We'll be having cheerleader shows at half time at rugby matches soon!

Well rugby always was a gurlie game.

[GORDON STREETER]

Originally Posted by rcarr

I race for the love of racing Tim. I don't need a trophy to tell me how good I am at racing, I already know!

Its a pity there aren't any more corners to be named at Knockhill !
As I read the last remaining one has just gone to a very special driver.

[johnw]

Originally Posted by rcarr

most of them are munters under all that make-up, my fiancee could give most of them a run for their money.

Hope the poor girl doesn't frequent these boards rcarr. It's an interesting observation which could lead to a further loss of mobility

[kelvin88]

Originally Posted by AndyV

Take a look here for short circuit locations.
http://www.saloonstockcars.com/

Andy

I moved over to the darkside a few years ago. I race in CAMSO V8 in Belgium. Its a short oval formula for American late model stock cars (mine is in my avatar!)

My expenses per year are
Garage to keep it E1000 (i just noticed my keyboard doesn't have a Euro key!)
Ferry £804
Tyres 12 E1000
Fuel E691 for the race car
Fuel £240 for the road car
Championship registration is E25
We get about 12 meetings including Saturday practice (Friday on the long weekend meetings) and 3 or 4 races on Sunday and or bank holiday Monday ranging between 25 and 75 laps

I often look at different race series but, if i'm honest, i don't think i would ever go circuit racing under the MSA again.

[Al Weyman]

I think the whole future of club racing is looking extremelly dire especially with this latest credit crunch costs of fuel etc. when it comes to it the bottom line is if its pay yer mortgage or go racing most will opt for the former. I believe the time has now come for drastic cost cutting action from circuits and clubs and if that is simply not possible then thats it, its a dead parrot.

[rcarr]

Like me Tim, (Sir) Jim Clark was born in Fife, about 10 miles from me! We know the people that now live in his parent's old house, they were our former customers.

Back on toipc again, I think Al is right, club racing is dying a death, 1 make series are taking over and the sports and saloons/ libre races are being entered by people who don't care about the club or the rest of the field, they just buy a fast car to win, they don't do it for the sport, they do it for reputation, so they can have it plastered all over their garages "Sports and Saloons Champions of ..."

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

the bottom line is if its pay yer mortgage or go racing most will opt for the former.

Or wait until you've paid your mortgage. Don't forget that a great many people use their businesses to pay for their racing.

[Al Weyman]

How pray tell? I was told unless you are claiming you are testing or promoting a race orientated product that you manufacture then you cannot write it back. If so I would have done it years ago and even I could maybe say I am testing vinyl graphics to see if they stay on the vehicle!

[Tim Falce]

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

How pray tell? I was told unless you are claiming you are testing or promoting a race orientated product that you manufacture then you cannot write it back. If so I would have done it years ago and even I could maybe say I am testing vinyl graphics to see if they stay on the vehicle!

Advertising for a start, maybe you need a proper accountant.

[Peter Mallett]

Well, this is fun.

[Al Weyman]

Are you sure about this Tim? Check it out I think you may be in for a surprise as it was the case a few years ago but no more another thing that has changed in recent times.