Yes, I drive a VW and I look at the Honda board (trying to see were you guys struggle so we can get an advantage
) Even though I race ITB, were Hondas are slim to none in my region, I do like to see what anyone involved in SCCA is up to.
Knestis: You are a poet!!! Besides that, everything you said is absolutely true.
Thumper: Everything you said is absolutely true as well.
GTR: Take this advice away from this thread; this is a point at which you must agree to disagree with the "appropriate" cost of racing. The hard nosed fact is you can spend, spend spend, or be the ultimate in budget racers. Neither of which is wrong.
Little Background: I am 22 years old, just graduated college, and I am in the process of completing my first "real" year of racing. Last year, I was a budget racer, Kumho tires that lasted my two schools and two race weekends (did enough last year to get my liscense, you will see why in a minute) and they still had plenty of tread on them. Bought a shell with a cage for $1000, all other parts from a junkyard, and I went racing. As for towing, I borrowed from friends and family. I live in Danbury, and only did Lime Rock, 1 hour away.
Did I get my license? YES
Was it a fun experience? YES
Was the car legal, safe, ran? YES
Was I in any way competitive? NO
Was my original goal to find out if I like the sport before I decided on dumping lots of cash into it? YES
Did I succeed? YES
Would I (Personal Opinion here, this is what works for me, this is not advice) ever get into such a non-competitive, low-prepped car? NEVER AGAIN!
I know plenty of guys that are budget racers that have the best time, and then I see some guys with the Freighliner and the sleeper and the 48 ft enclosed banging their head on their $100,000 tow rig because they lost to the guy pulling his car with a station wagon.
GTR: These little opinions above are just to let you know that you can spend a little, or a lot. Now when I say a little, that is not a small amount of money, it is just a comparison to the big spenders of the sport. Here is what I propose, get a BIG notebook (you may laugh, but I did this) get to a regional, find people, and ask. Point, question, take pictures. That is the best way. See how they got there, crew for them (they probably will get you lunch!), ask where they sleep (tents are a one time cost, race tracks often have showers, but a hotel is nice), also, find the person that got into a fender bender that weekend (approach with caution) and find out that it can and will happen and the cost to fix. I know that I and hundreds of others will be glad to answer questions like this. A half page posting will never give you the answer you are looking for. Everyone here has given excellent advice as to what this new racer can expect. Please, the only advice I have is to get to a race weekend before you invest, and ask plenty of questions. You may even find someone who is willing to help you get going? In conclusion, I run an A2 VW GTI "Fully Sorted", with a used motor and tranny, did all the work myself except for the cage, and the car cost over 10K. IS THIS NECESSARY? NO NO NO. This is the path I have chosen. Crack Monkey (love the name) gave some very good numbers on the products he listed.
GTR, please write back on this forum, I would like to hear your response to all of us "know-it-alls"
Regards,
Alan