cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

As a fan it's hard to understand the cost of class racers. After seeing the prices of the new factory cars I was wondering what is the true cost? With car, trailer and truck and or motorhome how do you guys do it? Is there a way the racing organizations can not only put the fun back in it but lower the cost? One of my retirement goals is to perhaps try my hand at stock and was wondering what does it take?

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Depends on how much someone wants to spend I suppose.
Right now, there's no limit on how much a person can sink into one.
$ 100K for a bracket racing stocker ? Plenty of those out there.

On the other hand... if someone is just trying to get into the program on a budget, the entry level class is IHRA Pure Stock.

This is my first year in PS and I wanted to see if I liked running a class car without commiting a bunch of my retirement funds on building a NHRA Stocker.

So far I have a little over $ 4,500 in the car with used parts ( including the 3,500 I paid the car lot for it) and it just barely runs under the I/PS index.
O.K. with me as I can upgrade the Mustang slowly as disposable income is available and hopefully make it a full Stocker.

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Baby steps. Started class racing in the late '90s with a 4-cyl FWD car, because it's what I could afford (and even then, only with a lot of help). Had a lot more help over the years. Terry Knott gave me a ride in his Stocker, and he and Jeff Ross helped me in various ways to initially purchase my Volare. Since then, I've sunk a ton of money into it, but those racing expenses and upgrades to the operation have been covered through winnings. I won my open trailer in a shootout race when I was a kid (Thanks to Steve Sweitzer who sponsored the shootout). My truck was paid off by world championship winnings. By not having a giant toterhome and trailer combo, I figure I'm a few hundred thousand ahead of the game.

One foot in front of the other... 15 years ago, I never would've dreamed of where I am today. Hopefully I will be able to continue upgrading a little bit at a time. Maybe I'll have a bigger truck and a 2-car open trailer before I retire. ;)

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Damned! The kid was listening!

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Save your money, sit back and wait----you will know the right time to jump on a complete ready to go car........most likely from a frustrated racer who wants to sell without thinking.........take it from a pro-frustrated racer who has made all the mistakes.

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Skills:
It all boils down to " how fast do you want to go" in a Stock Elim. car ??

If you do not mind 13 seconds & slower, you can buy a 80 Malibu, it's either
U or V /SA right here from N.J. for like $8,000.
You probably can find an open trailer for $2500.
That leaves you with a tow vehicle, you can probably find a nice used Suburban
for $6-8 grand.

So i'd say you can be rock n rollin for under $20k.

If your looking for a tow vehicle i might have one for you.

Pistol Pete
1374
I/SA

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

I found out the hard way after buying my car. Its not just the initial expense its everything after that. I would be scared to add up everything I've spent on my car and mine is miles from being as nice or competitive as other cars.

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Like any hobby, you can try to "keep up with the Joneses" or you can make your hobby fit within your means. As others have said before, you don't need huge toterhomes, RV's, stacker trailers. A simple pickup and open trailer will get you there just fine. Do an annual budget and determine how much you have to spend on your racing operation, then limit your racing and expenditures accordingly. You don't have to have the quickest car in your class or be in one of the faster classes. There are very successful racers who race in the lower classes of stock and SS eliminator and do just fine. You have to leave your ego at home and race within your financial parameters. There is nothing wrong with that.

For most of us, drag racing is a hobby. As such, spending on this activity should be a low priority item in your budget. I know too many racers who have no health insurance, no retirement plans, a lot of debt, but they have fancy racecars and tow rigs. I think that's part of the reason our Country is in such bad shape. We spend without consideration for the income and the future. Personally, that's not how I want my finances to be.

So, jump in. Do as Michael Beard says and take "baby steps". The people are great out here and I guarantee you that you can have fun and still race affordably.

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Baby steps is right..................never spend more than you can afford.

Try to work an extra half day a week on something to generate some more
money to spend.

Spend time looking for deals on everything and talk to everyone. Do not
be ashamed to ask for help or make an offer on something.

Forget about qualifying on top or winning heads up races.

Maintain and check every part on car for problems regularly.

Remember there are many things in life much more important
(Think Health, Family, Faith, Work)

Irving Family Racing

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

This thread is getting me all teary-eyed and hopeful that Drag Racing might just survive itself!

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

I started with my daily driver which was a mint '87 Daytona Shelby Z I bought for $4,500. I'd always wanted a class car and figured owning one that was capable of running under the index would never fit in my budget. I had a cat-back Mopar Performance exhaust, a Mopar Performance ECU nothing else. I decided to try it one day. It spun the Radial T/A's and was about .400 under the index. From there I added a exhaust cutout (because it was still my daily driver) and 20" diameter slicks. I set the B/FS record. I then rebuilt the engine, basically balanced & blueprinted with gapless rings and set the A/FS record. When the fun was over (because I wanted a fast RWD car), I sold it for $5,000 in the late '90's. So there you go, I bought in for $4500 and had a little more than $500 in it in improvements when I set the B/FS record. I sold it capable of re-setting the A/FS record for $5,000. You could have been the buyer on the front end or back end with about $5K and had fun. And I think it could be duplicated today for about the same money.

Then I bought my AMX and spent more money. One of the things I've done to make the car faster is to spend the money on the car and not the rig. I've always had an SUV daily driver as tow vehicle and an open trailer I paid $1800 for. Others have a $25K (plus / plus / plus) tow rig & a $10K (Plus / plus) trailer.

Although I would love a dually and enclosed trailer, I live in an HOA that isn't really friendly about that kind of stuff and that's my choice. And I don't want off-site storage for security and cost reasons. So that's how I arrive at the races. Nothing fancy! I cringe at being on the road and hotels but have the car heavily insured for some piece of mind. But heck, many have had their race cars stolen while hidden in an enclosed trailer.

I think one needs to determine how fast (ET) of a car they want first. If your OK driving a slower car, then FWD or the V/SA type of six cylinder or heavy V-8 cars is the way to go for a lot less money. $10K will probably go a long way here.

If you want a faster ride (say 12.5 or quicker), then you need more money. I'd suggest not being brand or model specific and shop for the best deal you can find on a used operation. It's when you get specific that it will most likely drive the cost up. Pass on the "popular" cars as they are the most expensive buy-in and hardest to keep up with the Joneses. $25K will go a long way here.

If you want to build a muscle car into a Stocker, consider the cost of a relatively nice restoration (body / paint / chrome / interior / suspension) first and then the cost of the drivetrain / wheels / tires / and other race accessories. Just a light restoration might be $10K plus, and the initial purchase might be $5K plus. So $15K goes by quickly. After that, you could easily spend another $15K on the race parts. It ads up quickly!

If you buy used, buy it at the return road of the track after witnessing a satisfactory run.

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

I could write a book about getting into Super Stock racing with no money.

It starts with getting to know Stock/Super Stock racers. Without their help, you will mis-spend money.

I started bracket racing a 64 Malibu SS in 1992. Bought the whole car turnkey for $5500. Ran low 11's, high 10's.

Got the bug to go Super Stock racing from a good friend, Mr. Jim Ezell-who raced a SS/HA 67 Camaro. (I liked the wheelies)!

Found a great guy, Rod Stults, who had a 64 Chevelle Wagon. It had been a Super Stocker since the mid '80s. He gave me the deal of a lifetime on it. Sold the Malibu and bought the Wagon. I did a lot of homework, and built a legal 327/Powerglide for it-and ran about .3 under. Had the good fortune of winning my second Divisional I ever entered.

I had about $7000 in the whole car. Add $1100 for the open trailer (thanks Mr. Ezell) and $5500 for the 84 Chevrolet dually (thanks Mom and Dad)-I had a racing operation.

Soon after, I was introduced to Mr. Gary Rouse, who had previously owned the Wagon. He had no reason to help me, but graciously gave me great advice in every aspect of Super Stock racing. Gary is a former Division 6 Champion-running a deadly 4 door Chevelle. He has since retired and sold the car. He knows my Combo inside and out. He even let me use his best cylinder heads-and ran .7 under.

Short story long, I have finally spent a bunch of money to upgrade the whole car. Here it is...

Motorhome $20000
24' Enclosed trailer $3500 (great deal)
Wagon $17000 with new everything

It still needs a paint job, but as Rod Stults says "It will still look good in the winner's circle"!

In the end, get to know the racers and ask lots of questions. These guys are the best at giving you the shortcuts you need to be successful.

I am so thankful for the people I have met in my process. I owe them everything.

Good luck!

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Very good info here thanks alot fellas and I hope more folks can chime in:)

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Thank you all for your replies. I am a mopar lover and would like to push one to the winners circle. Wow a Daytona turbo z used to love those. Hoping to start a new business so hopefully in the future this can be my hobby. You guys are all my hero's for everything you do. Maybe the hra's need to realize what it takes to compete since they remind people of the cost for fuel racing.

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Julie, u sound like a CPA lol. Simple 1,000,000.00 more or less 2 cars Stacker big motor home and parts. And life is having fun and what u can spend. My kids what is left over is theirs lol love my kid and all 4 grandkids

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Search for the 'Dime Rocket' thread, alot of great combos there for not alot of money. Some could be done almost completely off ebay/CL/slavage yard.

Don't make the mistake I did and start on a car and give up on it without some "real" tuning time. I started building a V/SA Fairmont, decided I hated how it ran even though I was nowhere close in prep (or dollars, only had $1100 in it, thank you craigslist), and sold off what I had done so far. Now I'm back at square one, with a different (sure to be more expensive) car, shooting for Stock and my feet at the same time...

Billy Nees and Mark Yacavone, two great guys to gather info from. I'm sure I've frustrated Billy a time or two on here asking tons of questions and doing silly things lol...

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Yea, hard to get the bean counter out of the ole girl! lol We educated our kids, helped them buy houses, now we're doing our thing. If we die with something left over they can fight over it. lol

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

If I may chime in, aside from buying the assets (car, truck, and trailer) I've found that racing my Q/SA (somewhat of a dime rocket at a cost of $7,500 when I bought it) costs about $400 - $500 per divisional race including $75-$150 gas to get there depending on distance, $170 entry, $65 per can of race fuel, $100 in food costs whether you bring your own groceries or buy track food. Then throw in the cost of a hotel at $70-200 per night (I stay in my truck or trailer instead). Even taking the car bracket racing costs about $150-$200 per outing.

And that's not even considering wear and tear.

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Easy answer. Start out being a "gear head" at age 12. Haul water and wash cars/ramp trucks and do all the tasks that your "heros" don't or won't do. Work butt off for 40 years in machine shop. Eat, sleep, breath horsepower. Learn how to do your own stuff because you learn the hard way that sometimes nice expensive race motors and trans are built out of someone else's used parts. Work 14-16 hour days at least 6 days a week. Vacation consists of going to races. Bottom line: learn how to do as much of your work as possible and develop the theory that nobody can do it as well as you because you will spend any amount of time it takes to get it "right" and make sure all the details add up. As you are learning, surround yourself with the "best" people in drag racing, whether it is a manufacturer/supplier, an employee or just beer drinking buddies. Don't ever pay an entry fee at a racetrack that when you pull thru the gate you aren't sure that you have a better chance than anybody there to win. (winning attitude). Along the way you will find out that some of your heros were actually more BS than action. If you ever feel like "doing it the easy way" quit racing.
Somewhere along the way you will find that you have collected the knowledge and skill to do things that you didn't think you ever could do. And by doing this for many years you will have become successful in business also. Hopefully by this time, you won't be burnt out or have ruined your health. If you aren't healthy all the rest dosen't matter. Try to encourage and help those who ask for it or that you think need help whether it is on their race car or their lawn mower.
This is just my experience. This is how I afford my racing hobby. I started out with street cars bought with lawn mowing money, advanced to worn out tow trucks and flatbed trailers, changed valve springs on the flat trailer at 3 in the morning with a light bulb in order to be at the track after a 8 hour drive and try to get teched. Slept in cars in the tech line at malls. I guess that is what they are talking about "paying your dues".
I also want to mention that I had a Great Man for a Father. My Dad didn't care much for race cars but he always taught me the skills that he knew, developed thru a carrer in the Army and many years in business after that. He was always there to give advice and his opinion if I asked for it.

Racing, or any competition, can be the biggest reward or source of satisfaction that there is. And some have it easier than others I guess. But if this is what you want to do and you intend to be successful in it I don't see any other way to do it than the ways I have outlined. The late Bill Jenkins, John Lingenfelter, Lee Sheperd to name a few, and many, many more still with us, did it this way.

I guess I really didn't answer the original posters question so I'm going to try to.
Some that can afford these new cars or just a really nice, quick S/SS are successful businessmen and owners of companies, some like myself, have just worked around racing for years and made decent money, some can get great sponsor deals, some are into illegal activities, some are outright crooks, some, like Julie said, spend money recklessly, some spend their retirements or morgage property, some have at some point held really good jobs with good pay, maybe some won a lottery, etc. etc.
As in other things in life, you spend what you know you can afford. I don't suggest borrowing money to go racing. I am as impressed when I see a well thought out "dime rocket" as I am a state of the art piece. Those who know how to really work these drag cars see things different than the average "car guy". I laugh at front end geometry so far out on a 200k car that it shouldn't be allowed to race. And I marvel at the slower stocker that you can push thru tech with one hand. I guess, starting out at an age of maybe 30 I would suggest buying a known good car at the track as was mentioned. But I would get to know that car inside and out before I put much thought in racing it. I have seen too many people buy a fast piece, race it for a couple of races, break it and never be fast again. Mainly because the previous owner knew how to not only build and race a fast S/SS but also knew how to fix it. Not too many got to start at the top as several of these posts have pointed out.

As was said earlier. Add in your entry, traveling, routine maintenence, testing costs into your racing budget. With todays artificially inflated prices, this alone can get really expensive. It is actually crazy the amount of costs just to pull into a race these days, vs. the payout both from santioning bodies and most manufacturers. I have had customers, a few years ago, that actually made some money chasing points and some that broke pretty close to even, however, the "touring" guys are having a hard time breaking even with rising costs and shrinking payouts/contingencys as is common in our sport today.

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Expensive!!!!!! And theres more work invovled than a fuel car would require. But I love it!!It would prolly be better to go ahead and choke up the 100k for one of them new cars but I decided to sink it slowly in a 1966

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

I am afriad to admit how much I have in my B/S. Went from S/G to Stock back in 99 and having a ton more fun, also have spent a lot of money. I do all of own stuff, motors, trans, gears, etc. When I started out I had somelse do the motors to be legal, just got too expensive.

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Does anyone think that Nhra would let in class sponsors like pro mod? Say stock/super stock have its own national sponsor to push up the money for wins or records? It would be a new way to bring in revenue, with the new cars and maybe new fans. With srt out nascar they could spend less money and get a large amount of exposure and probably business that way.

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

SS Engine Guy, I just printed that reply out and posted it on my toolbox. Great advice.

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Having raced in the Junior Stock era and into the 80s I would advise buying a drag tape, a paper shredder and a box of $20 bills. Play the tape as loud as you can and feed the $20 bills into the paper shredder until you run out or the urge to race passes. The cost of racing today is insane but I do enjoy checking up on a buddy, Bill Dyer, that still does. I personally am not healthy or wealthy enough at this time, but I had the time of my life with a $600 total investment P/S 59 Biscayne 283/185 4 speed in 1966 at the age of 22 and an old stock car engine builder as a mentor. Other opinions may vary

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Some good advice so far on here. Lets see if I can't screw that up :D

Where a lot of people make their mistakes is not forming an operating budget, a cost of doing business if you will. Cost to build a car is one thing and in a lot of cases is actually the cheapest part. The actual cost of racing and maintaining said vehicle is commonly overlooked and is the reason why most either stop racing or are flashes in the pan.
Items like fuel for car and tow vehicle, lodging, food, wear items like clutches/brakes/tires/oil, parts breakage, R&D, testing, entry fees, time away from family/work/business, parts refreshening and/or replacement. It's pretty easy to spend $6,000-$24,000(or beyond) in a year of racing not including buying the car/rig/trailor. Be sure to spend the money where it needs to be spent.

If a person is a car guy first then they should build a car that they actually like and are familiar with. Otherwise it's much easier to become disinterested and frustrated with the whole thing. It takes dedication to build a class specific car.

Don't become distracted from your own program by always worrying about what so and so is doing. Getting immersed in politics is a sure fire way to take you eye off the ball. And worse yet if a person hasn't made the commitment to build a car for a class do not start reading up on all the BS politics going on or that will discourage you.(instantly if you feel your getting the raw end, or over time because you get tired of hearing the whining).

Do not use debt as a tool for anything. Especially on racing and race cars. The monthly payments is what makes longterm harder and harder and also a makes it easier to overspend on items.

The more you can do on your own the cheaper it can be. (Be careful as your time is worth money also. 300-1,000 or how many ever hours at the shop are hours away from working or running the business on the financial side and away from family on the personal side) working on your own stuff has a certain amount of gratification to it also and can be a lot of fun and a bonding experience.

Make a plan. Write it down. On paper On purpose.
(Do not sacrifice your future or your families well being for anything. Take care of the household first and foremost.)

Last note: Some classes are perceived as "Entry level". And though this is true as being entry level to class specific racing. It is not entry level for a new drag racer. Entry level to the sport is the test and tunes and local bracket races. I wanted to go class racing after only a few Test and Tunes under my belt. Big mistake on my part as I learned quickly how much I didn't know(and some things I still don't know). The learning curve in class racing is steep. I started seeing everything that went on behind the scenes and you quickly gain a whole new respect for those people that are racing and have been racing for years. (And the 2nd thing that blows you away is the camaraderie in most people's cases)

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

The cost of racing today is the same as it was 30 years ago. Everything you got and then some on occasion.

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Great one. Many years ago, I had someone approach me and ask if I had ever made any money racing? I commented back, "Yes", but never made near as much as I spent!

Another comment I once made. A guy asked me what I thought it would cost him to go racing. He was starting from scratch. I simply said, "go up to the parking lot, find the biggest car with the largest trunk, fill it with $100 bills, empty it a few times". Then you might be ready to start.

I've yet to participate in a hobby that didn't cost. Having quit this hobby in 1988. I've done a few things over the years before slowly edging my way back. I was involved in historical reenacting and black powder shooting for about 15 years. If you want a lesson in hobby economics, if my wife is close by, just ask her about a suit of clothes I had made for the 1812 time period sometime? I can certainly say, racing hasn't gotten cheaper in the last 25 or so years.

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Robert,can that 1812 suit double as fire suit?
I like D. Johns and SS engine guy's post we think a like,not borrowing money for anything to racing is why my stuff sets alot of the time,there is the chance you could pull off that big win you need to pay it off,but you might win the lottery too? My car sits it does'nt cost anything .

Trying to race beyond your means is something I have seen alot of people do,now they are'nt racing,pulling or fill in the blank and some lost everything they had,business,wife,home etc., over there hobby that took over their life.

It is better to race within your means even if it means you are running your daily driver at least you are getting to race.

Mike Taylor 3601

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Good one Mike. Yeah, could do my best Rickey Bobby in it!

On serious note. Agree, one has to stay within ones means. Like any hobby, it's easy to spend money. Now, with the state of my personal economy, you have to try and spend money in the right places.

When we quit in 1988, my rig was an 85 Ford F350 single cab dually and an old open trailer. The trend toward everyone having crewcabs and enclosed trailers was becoming the norm. Now that's a common rig! I now have an 03 Ford F350 crewcab but still use an open trailer. I do want an enclosed trailer, until I can pony up the funds to buy one outright, my flatbed open trailer will do.

Re: cost of stock/super stock racing?
 

Relatively speaking....you're correct Steve. BUT I do remember pump gas (for your
hauler) being at about $1 a gallon....and C12 running around $4 a gallon locally back
then.

When going to a distant track...I wondered how they could get away charging $4.50...or
even $5 for the very same gas....

I know we're talking nickels and dimes here...but that's the way I've always felt...

Ah the good 'ol days!....