Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

As a retired senior citizen wanting to still make a few races. ---Just curious as to average cost to attend the Points race in Gainsville or any points race for that matter. Expenses incurred from the time you leave home until you get back home. Truck fuel, race fuel , food , lodging , entry etc. I know it will vary depending on type of rig , proximity to race , McDonalds or Waldorf , just an idea in your case.

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

I think you are better off calculating your current set up. There are so many variables, most wont apply. The things that will. Entry fee. You just need to consider your mpg on tow rig, fuel for race car, lodging, food can vary depending on your taste and frugality. It isn’t that hard to figure your own estimate.

The wild cards are maintenance for tow rig nd race car of course.

In our case, we tow with a older diesel pusher and stay at the track. We figure 7 mpg factoring diesel generator run time in there. Costco food binge to load up the fridge 200 dollars. Entry and pit passes and race fuel. Not counting any maintenance for racecar or rig. We just carry xx amount for unplanned events that can happen on the road and try to do proper pmi to prevent issues on road or the track.

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

Roughly $1K.

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

Well Danny, I would say roughly a grand. For me to go to the Numidia Div, I'm gonna spend roughly 5 hundred and that's my closest Div. race. Now if you're talking actually going to Gainesville from Virginia, then I'd have to say probably 15 hundred to 2 grand.
And I think you know that there aren't many Racers that are "cheaper" than me!
It's not just the entry and the racing gas, the price of Tequila just keeps on rising!

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

I figure 50 cents a mile for diesel fuel in my toter. Entry fee was $160. Crew pass was $60. 10 gals of race fuel if you go some rounds. I don’t really figure food as a race expense as the cost would be about the same if you stayed home. I used $150 in diesel fuel. $60 in race gas and $220 for entry for a grand total of $430 for the weekend. I only had to travel 150 miles to the track. We stay at the track in the toter.

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

Billy --- That's kinda what I was thinking . The trailer with sleeping quarters would offset the fuel cost of my old dually with the 540 .

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

I'm sure the actual cost is all over the place depending on your individual set up . For me I'm thinking around a couple grand within say a 500 mile radius . Thanks everybody for your input -- Danny

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

All good responses; with James being absolutely correct in that it varies wildly based on your situation. I sold my diesel pusher this winter since we'll no longer be staying on the road for long periods of time and with a newer rig it's a wildly depreciating asset. Not to mention proper maintenance, storage, insurance, etc. on a MH is an expensive proposition. On the flip side staying in hotels close to the track is an expensive proposition. Since simply getting there and staying there is often the largest expense you have to decide just how important running a Divisional or National event is to you. If you need to watch your budget sticking to local bracket racing is the cheapest solution obviously but you need to decide that before investing in a class legal car. At the first of the year I budget a set amount of money for racing (and running it past my CFO) and then pick and choose to stay within that. Any winnings just increase the budget for more racing rather than offsetting planned budget. Also try to figure amortization of my setup over the period (i.e. figuring refresh every 150 runs, trailer over X number of events, etc) Ultimately though, it's a question of how much money are you willing to spend for the amount of enjoyment you derive from racing. If you're obsessing about $ then you're not having fun IMO.

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

Billy is right on. I spent $. 1000 after losing 3rd. Divisional $500
I do travel in a class A. Gas rv
The thing about entry in D1 we pay $170 D2. $160
Yet you get $100 3rd d2.
D1. We get $75. WTF. Why the discount?
By the way Danny your a made man on Craig’s payroll
Just tell him you made a wrong turn and need to race.
It a right off for Craig. Lol.

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

You told me you cut your fuel bill way down by siphoning gas from the cars in WalMart parking lots! Jim


.

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

James--Quit Quit you're making my stomach hurt . Don't forget he's a retired senior citizen now too with a aarp card.

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

Round Trip gas (older gas burning dually tag trailer) 640 miles 8 mpg $2.40/gal average - $192
Entry - $160
Crew - $60
Hotel 5 nights Towneplace Suites (recommend) senior rate $76/night plus tax and fees - $420 (prices significantly higher for the national starting Friday)
Race Gas 10 gal C16 (if you win the race) $170
Generator gas 5 gal 2.40/gal (new efficient 2000 watt no a/c) $12

$1000 budget anyway you look at it unless you have a living quarter trailer or motorhome. Then you would want to factor in monthly payment if you don't own it out right.

We saved by leaving the rig down for the gators and by not going many rounds. :D

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

For me, it's about $120 in deisel, $160 entry, $55 in racing fuel, and I'd say about $100 in food. I Sleep in my van save some money. The bottom line is that you can't take money with you when you kick, and you only go once around in life, so you do what enjoy no matter what it may cost within means. I'm a retired old guy and I would tell you to just go racing as long as you get in the race car.
Casey
248H Stock

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

Hey Danny, I’ve been gone from home since Friday March 1st. So far I’ve sent roughly $550 in diesel for the motorhome (still have to get back to va) can include the race fuel since I got 7 cans before I left and still had 2, had to get 4 tires for the race car, that’s gonna happen as it’s a wear item. We’ve been to dinner several times but with that and food for the motorhome I’ve spent roughly $300. Signing up for the Lucas contingency and other things it’s hard to figure how much this trip will cost. Typical trip is roughly $1000 for d1 races that I spent last year.

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

Danny, On the low end of things:
Vegas, 600 mi. round trip,
$200 , gas, with owned Class C RV.
Open owner built trailer.
$ 170 entry for one
Fuel, if lucky, $100.
Knock off $150 , gas for Chandler.
I don't count food.You have to eat anywhere.
I've had an RV since 1992. Personally, I wouldn't do it any other way. Don't care much for track hot dogs..When you're at the track from dawn to dark, the convenience is worth it.
All you need to do is factor in the beer ;-) We'll have another one some day, bud

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

According to the bookkeeper(wife) I raced 5 national events, 7 divisionals and 1 national open race last year that cost me just over 20 thousand last year. It's pretty accurate but there are a few things she is not aware of.......

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

On the bright side though if things had fallen your way toward the end of the year you’d have been in the hunt for championship, which as they say...priceless!

Speaking of, hope your daughter is improving and you get back out soon.

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

All good information guys and responses are from those I can relate to. Need to rethink selling the trailer with living quarters as it seems cheaper and less trouble with getting rooms. Yac --- Yeah we're long overdue for a cold drink . Vodka and Country Time lemonade fixes all that ails you. Loosens your joints and makes you melloooooo. :-)

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

Mark
The beer is probably more than the entry fee, lol....

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

Danny talking about country time and vodka is going to have my looking for another old friend who I’ve known since I was still sh%#&@$? Yellow Jim Marshall and go to the store 😂

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

If you see him tell him Dad and Son said hello.

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

Danny You come to the Dave Lebrun/ Alan Peters Memorial race and I will pay your way in. And I guaranty it will pay a lot more than a Divisional Race. Barry

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

Barry-- What you guys are doing is very admirable and not an easy task . Your offer is very gracious and greatly appreciated but not necessary, I would be happy to pay my way in. As soon as I saw what you were doing to honor both Dave and Alan I started looking into ways I could come without going around NYC. --- I love racing Div.1 the tracks are great and I've made a lot of wonderful friends there. I live right off I95 South just before Richmond , everything South is flat and a breeze on cruise control , heading North is like my old bones taking an *** whippin . not to mention the toll roads. I'm going to try to come but if I can't I will be happy to send a donation to the pot. It's going to be a great race----Thanks again , Danny

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

Jim I would've paid 10 more for a championship lol! And she's doing really good and looking forward to Charlotte, thanks for asking.

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

Dan,

Plan on coming for both days that weekend for our all stars races. My daughters in Richmond now, so I know all about the desire to avoid NYC, once a year whether I need to or not, I punish myself with a GW bridge crossing, always stating never again....

64W-81N-78-287-87N-90 is one way, a bit further but a pleasant ride.

95-17 just north of fredicksburg to 81 in Winchester-78-287-87N-90 to the valley is a very very nice tow I did on the way down to Bradenton in January this year. Look out for speed traps on 17, rest of trek is pretty drama free.

Eric

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

Eric---Thanks for the travel information I'm going to look into it. I'm close by if your Daughter needs anything.

Re: Cost to attend Baby Gators
 

Danny send me your mailing address and I will send you info on the race. We would be glad to have you add to the Memorial fund. We are not looking for a big money sponsor but would not turn one down. We hope to have at least 50 personal and businesses contribute to this race. You can skip going threw NY City going to Lebanon from the South. It's really not that bad of a ride. It sucks if like me you live in Ma and can't avoid going threw NY City when getting home from the south. Hope to see you there. Barry