[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

[TrakCar]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I realize like any other hobby it isn't cost justified, but I don't do it for the fiancial benefit. Putting all the previous costs in a spreadsheet gets me (for 4 events in a year) at a cost of around $3,000 for the year ($750-800 per event) if I drive to the track instead of towing. I figure the 4 closest tracks are (or will be when they are complete) within 3 hrs of the house. www.drivebluegrass.com will be less than 40 min and it will be done next spring.

For some of the other comments:

Bock: Why is my tires costs low? Expecting too many events out of a set or cost per set? I payed right about $600 shiped for the last set, but I guess I should add mount + balancing + rotation (side to side) pretty often. Maybe another $200 for a set? And as far as the "toolbox fund" how do you think I paid for the LS1 swap! (btw, I was tracking that until my flash card crapped out and gave up after that ~$8-9000 for the swap to date.)

Marty: thanks for the suggestions. I agree about most of them but I won't skimp on the C5 brakes since we all know how weak the original 3d gen brakes were. Heck even the 1LE is weak compared to the C5/ LS1 Fbody setup. Besides, it was the "reason" I had to go to 17" (and now 18") street rims. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I became middle aged at 36 for the sole purpose of extra leverage in the "Honey, I need to start my bucket list" discussion.

I got her to ride for 3 laps at Roebling road back around 2003 and she was screaming for me to pit before I had even warmed up the tires (not sure if that reflects badly on me or what). She is great and puts up with alot, but gets easily carsick so I doubt she'll ever get addicted.

I used street tires up until NFME '03 when CCBock let me "borrow" his Victoracers (damn enabler!) and I just love the extra grip. + the way I drive I can rip through a set of street tires almost as fast as the Nitto's.

[cccbock]

Bock: Why is my tires costs low? Expecting too many events out of a set or cost per set? I payed right about $600 shiped for the last set, but I guess I should add mount + balancing + rotation (side to side) pretty often. Maybe another $200 for a set? And as far as the "toolbox fund" how do you think I paid for the LS1 swap! (btw, I was tracking that until my flash card crapped out and gave up after that ~$8-9000 for the swap to date.)

I used street tires up until NFME '03 when CCBock let me "borrow" his Victoracers (damn enabler!) and I just love the extra grip. + the way I drive I can rip through a set of street tires almost as fast as the Nitto's.

You might be able to get by on the $600 if you go with street tires. and they will last a little longer. But once you get addicted to the grip, its hard to go back.

The last set of R compound tires I bought (a month ago) cost me right at $1100 shipped, mounted & balanced. I also got the car aligned but that was $110 extra (my car is too low to easily get it onto the rack). And prices go up with the price of oil. I will grant you that they are Kumho 315-35-17 but the Nittos you would likely use are probably up to around 160-170 each at least...without any shipping etc.

The R compound tires (general statement here, I know there are exceptions) start to go away after about 5 or 6 heat cycles. The racers with good sponsors only use em once (or twice at practice)...but we arent trying to set any records. My Viper buddy pitches his tires after 5 heat cycles, whether or not they have any tread left. My experience has been that I can get about 4 events (4-5, 20 minute sessions=1 event) and I run them righ down to the cords. Some tracks are worse than others. For example, Memphis is really easy on tires.

YMMV

Bock