how much would it cost.........

[blacknightteg]

i wanted to ask all you guys who do autox and track days an what not. I really really want to do something like this on down the road. autox my car or take it on the track, but how expensive is it. like what am i looking at having to spend money on over time. i know it will end up getting expensive. but i really want to do it at some point. im dying to be able to buy a daily and set my teggy aside so i can build it.

[StraightSix]

That depends on a lot of things. Auto-x and HPDE are different animals. In HPDE, you can drive whatever car you want; there is no car classing, only classing based on the driver's experience.

Auto-x, OTOH, will require you to have a car prepped to the rules for the class where you want to run...if you want to be competitive. Also, it *can* help to buy certain cars for certain classes; i.e. a '89 Civic Si hatch to be competitive in STS or a Mini for HS. The fact that particular cars are better suited to certain SCCA classes is one the biggest drawbacks to Solo II events, but I digress.

A NASA membership will set you back $45. The SCCA's membership fee is ~$80, but there are ways to make that cheaper. Entry fees for an SCCA auto-x run ~$30, depending on membership status. An entry fee for a NASA track event will run $300-$00 depending on the track. I think for Road Atlanta in March the entry is $400. Then you have to figure in gas, food, maybe lodging and consumables like tires, brakes, oil, brake fluid, etc.

There are ways to minimize the costs associated, however.

[blacknightteg]

thanks for some of the info. i am just trying to get a handle on it. i know it will probably take me a while to actually get in the process of running my car but i really really want to do it. i have wanted to race since i was a little kid. going to andretti's and what not is not enough!

[Elbow]

How old are you? SCCA has First Gear membership which is $40 or so. To get started on track days I recommend SCCA PDX. It's $100, and includes 40 minutes on track, such as Road Atlanta. Next event is in March. It offers great instruction, very low pricing, and very well ran. Like said above NASA HPDE is another great program with more track time. Also checkout BMWCCA, I really haven't seen a track day/school type deal ran so smoothly. Loads of track time, great instruction. For die hard track day drivers, go to Chin.

Autocross like said is totally different. Not nearly as much wear on the car. Being competitive is pretty hard depending the car you drive like he said. I would sign up for an autocross in Novice class which puts you with all new drivers, offers help from experienced drivers, and will really show you how it's all done. If you want to have fun though, who cares how you finish. Just set personal goals. Autocross is $30 or so, but you get like two minutes of track time. Then have to work for a couple of hours picking up cones and such...which is why I rarely do it lol.

[matthewAPM]

Are you looking to stay in a stock class, a SP/ST class (coilovers, wheels, tires, race seats, wheel, sways, I/H/E, etc) OR you could do a full out E mod build (would not be street legal)

If you want to do TT or just track day events, your budget will increase by a good amount. For trackdays, my budget ranges from 100 bucks, to $1000 depending on the organization.

Your going to have to remember these cost...

-brakes
-tires
-fuel
-fluids
-food
-entry fee
-gas to get to the track
-hotel if out of town
-tools
-racing gear


and the list goes on. Pick a organization and a class, and then build a budget for the year that includes everything including the car build. You might have to do an event or two to figure out how much you plan on spending a year.

[Sammich]

he's not going to do it..i'm just saying lol

[blacknightteg]

How old are you? SCCA has First Gear membership which is $40 or so. To get started on track days I recommend SCCA PDX. It's $100, and includes 40 minutes on track, such as Road Atlanta. Next event is in March. It offers great instruction, very low pricing, and very well ran. Like said above NASA HPDE is another great program with more track time. Also checkout BMWCCA, I really haven't seen a track day/school type deal ran so smoothly. Loads of track time, great instruction. For die hard track day drivers, go to Chin.

Autocross like said is totally different. Not nearly as much wear on the car. Being competitive is pretty hard depending the car you drive like he said. I would sign up for an autocross in Novice class which puts you with all new drivers, offers help from experienced drivers, and will really show you how it's all done. If you want to have fun though, who cares how you finish. Just set personal goals. Autocross is $30 or so, but you get like two minutes of track time. Then have to work for a couple of hours picking up cones and such...which is why I rarely do it lol.


Are you looking to stay in a stock class, a SP/ST class (coilovers, wheels, tires, race seats, wheel, sways, I/H/E, etc) OR you could do a full out E mod build (would not be street legal)

If you want to do TT or just track day events, your budget will increase by a good amount. For trackdays, my budget ranges from 100 bucks, to $1000 depending on the organization.

Your going to have to remember these cost...

-brakes
-tires
-fuel
-fluids
-food
-entry fee
-gas to get to the track
-hotel if out of town
-tools
-racing gear


and the list goes on. Pick a organization and a class, and then build a budget for the year that includes everything including the car build. You might have to do an event or two to figure out how much you plan on spending a year.


Im 22, the biggest concern i have, when i beginn to do it is just the cost of it. i know it can get rather expensive over time. thats why im asking. i didnt want to like ever rush into anything and expect to get going at it with out knowing the costs of all of it.

[blacknightteg]

he's not going to do it..i'm just saying lol


fuck you.

[Sammich]

lol

u serious though, u gona do the auto-x? or u just playing?

[blacknightteg]

lol

u serious though, u gona do the auto-x? or u just playing?


im not going to ask the question if i am not considering it. i want to get all the info i can before i decide on things, thats why i ask a lot of questions.

[Sammich]

u got questions, they got answers...ill just sit back and learn :D

[Elbow]

Run a PDX, I believe SCCA can give you a weekend membership for free. That way you can see if it's something you want to invest in, like I said PDX is $100. For that you don't need a crazy prepped car, make sure you have fluids and good brakes, that's about it. You will get on Road Atlanta at speed, with an instructor, more then likely you WILL get hooked though ;). So I warn you now.

It really doesn't HAVE to be expensive. It can be done with a very small budget.

[blacknightteg]

Run a PDX, I believe SCCA can give you a weekend membership for free. That way you can see if it's something you want to invest in, like I said PDX is $100. For that you don't need a crazy prepped car, make sure you have fluids and good brakes, that's about it. You will get on Road Atlanta at speed, with an instructor, more then likely you WILL get hooked though ;). So I warn you now.

It really doesn't HAVE to be expensive. It can be done with a very small budget.


that sounds good. yeah i know it doesnt have to be expensive, to me it just really seems more all about commitment. and i mean i have always loved racing, i have always loved going fast. loved going around tracks and what not. its just something i have always wanted to do. i mean, im already hooked at wanting to do it, just scared to take the first step i guess. i dont want to get myself into something that makes it hard to get out of.

[Elbow]

that sounds good. yeah i know it doesnt have to be expensive, to me it just really seems more all about commitment. and i mean i have always loved racing, i have always loved going fast. loved going around tracks and what not. its just something i have always wanted to do. i mean, im already hooked at wanting to do it, just scared to take the first step i guess. i dont want to get myself into something that makes it hard to get out of.

It will be hard to get out of, some day's I wish I wasn't in this sport. It truly is extremely addicting and holds a very high emotional connection to me, if I quit, it would be like giving up on my life and losing my family and everything I know lol.

Track days can be enough to satisfy your craving to get on track, after some track days, you could try time trials, maybe get a racing license down the road, do a few races in a rental race car for fun a few years later, just take it slow, and watch where you throw your money. PDX and HPDE type stuff can keep your interest high for a while.

[blacknightteg]

well i would love to be able to get into races and what not, thats what i want to do. i have always wanted to since i was a kid be able to race on a track with othe people. im sure i cant end up making a career out of it. but its something i always dreamed of.

[StraightSix]

well i would love to be able to get into races and what not, thats what i want to do. i have always wanted to since i was a kid be able to race on a track with othe people. im sure i cant end up making a career out of it. but its something i always dreamed of.

Club racing is a good way to get into that. There are classes that pretty affordable and offer some great racing, like Spec Miata, SpecE30, 944Spec. The rules are pretty restrictive as far as car prep goes, but the idea is to keep costs manageable.

A very large part of the reason that I got involved working for NASA revolves around being able to get on track on a very restricted budget. I started working NASA events as a "credit" worker, where I worked two events and got credit to drive one for free. Through that I have also learned a lot about how one should behave on track during a DE session, as well as learning a little racecraft. You'd be surprised how much you can learn by being on a corner flagging, or being in race control and having the "inside" scoop on some of the boneheaded things racers can do on track.

But, as others have warned, once you get on track...well, most people are hooked.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/jpireland/poster.jpg

[AirMax95]

This thread is full of win! There was another thread similar to this, but I'm lazy and don't feel like searching, lol.

Simon, I am going to inquire about the PDX. Thanks for the info!

[Elbow]

Not a problem, check out www.atl-scca.org for info on when registration will open for the next SCCA weekend at Road Atlanta.

[DunDunSkeert]

I think I'm gonna do that PDX.

[matthewAPM]

If you want to do PDX, just let me know. I can send you in the right direction and let you know exactly what you will need and what it will cost. Because it will be your first time, you will need an instructor so if you plan on doing it, let me know so I can request you as a student.

HPDE's and PDX's are a great place to get started and will keep you going. There are a great number of people on IA that do HPDE's and will tell you they wouldn't trade it for the world. If your really serious about getting involved, either simon or I would be more then happy to help you out. Last weekend I pulled an all nighter on a students integra to get it ready for the PDX...I can tell you now, he WILL be attending the event in march. lol

[blacknightteg]

what do all the acronymes for these classes stand for. yall are throwing out these classes and i dont even know what they stand for.

[Elbow]

Which ones?

[StraightSix]

NASA = National Auto Sport Association
SCCA = Sports Car Club of America
TT = Time trial
HPDE = high performance driving event the number after indicates run group
BMWCCA = BMW Car Club of America
STS = Street Touring S (the S might be for sedan?)
HS = H Stock
PDX = Performance Driving Experience

I think that might cover it.

[dkjohnson04]

this is a very good thread! i'm looking forward to my first auto-x this sunday! if i can beat this flu! lol im already registered too dammit..............gah i hate being sick!








p.s.............so when's the all nighter on my civic for a track day???? lololol

[Elbow]

this is a very good thread! i'm looking forward to my first auto-x this sunday! if i can beat this flu! lol im already registered too dammit..............gah i hate being sick!








p.s.............so when's the all nighter on my civic for a track day???? lololol

When you sign up for a track day ;)

[dkjohnson04]

hopefully i'll be signing up for the one at road atl in march!

[dkjohnson04]

btw.......when will the registration be open for the pdx at road atl in march?? or is it already? bout to do some research.............lol should've done that first...

[matthewAPM]

Im not sure if it is or not. The registration for that event is NOT on DLB this year. They have changed to a different site.

[Elbow]

Just keep checking www.atl-scca.org they will post when registration is open on the home page.