[TrakCar]

Hey guys.

Since this month I've turned 36 and hit middle age, the one thing I have always wanted to do more and haven't been able to is run multiple track days per year, run Nasa TT events, and possibly get my instructors certificate. Over the course of discussions with my wife we both kept coming back to "understanding the costs". So I was trying to put together a "business plan" (for lack of a better term) that would capture the costs of multiple lapping days in my 1991 Z28 camaro. I've done 10-15 track events over the last 8 years but never have been able to do more than 1-2 in a calender year.

Here is what I have so far:

• Event Cost $250 per day (approx)
• Tires $600 set (how many events can I expect? My Nitto 555R2's have 3 track days on them and could maybe do 1 more)
• Brake pads $ 125 Front/ $95 rear (I've had my Hawk HP+ pads for 4-5 years (4-5 events +limited street use)
• Rotors $122 set front/ $196 set rear (C5 front/ stock 91 Z28 rear)
• Brake fluid $20 Liter 2 per year? (flush/ fill after every event)
• Gas for event ~8 Gal/ session @$4.00 (5 sessions per day) = $160.00
• Travel (Gas etc) Based on distance
• Food $25 per day
• Hotel if needed $100/ night (hope to do 1 day events close to home)

I'm trying to boil these costs down to a $ per track Day type of number.
I know most people don't want to know how much the addiction costs, but I need ammo to convince my wife it fits in the budget.

Thanks

[JKnight]

Since we've moved beyond budget to tactics to keep the Significant Other placated, I'd suggest that the best route to keeping your hobby alive is to get the missus hooked as well. My wife decided to go racing back in '99 - '00, and I dutifully went along and caught up on my reading, tended to some minor work stuff, and drank beer after hours. After a while I started changing wheels. Then I did a track day in my car. Despite a rock ding to my precious street car, I came back and eventually was hooked. Yeah, it's the opposite of the norm, but it could be that your wife would love to be involved. Get her hooked, and you're golden. Once both partners are addicts you can enable each other.

Hey, the kids can go to community college, and don't need an inheritance if they're successful in business. Right?

Jason

[CMC #37]

Since we've moved beyond budget to tactics to keep the Significant Other placated, I'd suggest that the best route to keeping your hobby alive is to get the missus hooked as well. My wife decided to go racing back in '99 - '00, and I dutifully went along and caught up on my reading, tended to some minor work stuff, and drank beer after hours. After a while I started changing wheels. Then I did a track day in my car. Despite a rock ding to my precious street car, I came back and eventually was hooked. Yeah, it's the opposite of the norm, but it could be that your wife would love to be involved. Get her hooked, and you're golden. Once both partners are addicts you can enable each other.

Hey, the kids can go to community college, and don't need an inheritance if they're successful in business. Right?

Jason

Correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to remember Chris tracking before the marriage! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)