"factory stock"

[Rat Raceway]

Originally Posted by Geoff Turk

Ross, I think most of your estimates aren't a mile off but there are a few areas I think you can get by with far less.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'Track Pack' but if you meant Drag Pak, I have two of the aluminum engines.

While the killer tune ups can be rough on some parts (exhaust valves, rings, an occasional piston), all the expensive hard parts can generally be reused and remain unharmed. Very different from my days running the '68 SS Hemi. Turns out my 20+ pass motor that went 7s had cam timing wheel to cam gear rivets loosen up and that's really all that was wrong with it. The fix for that will soon be in and it will be back in action for not a lot of money. The second one I loaned to DSR, is still running fine as the issue on their E2 loss wasn't core engine related.

My trailer cost $16k in 2006 and still does a pretty good job hauling the car around (but it also looks like I bought it in 2006). I do plan to upgrade it to a new one but all in, way under your $150k. Granted my rig is a very, very modest one in the class.

There is no way around it, it is an expensive class to be competitive in and even more so if you employ a lot of help to build, maintain, tune and support the car at the track. That said, a few guys working together, with a passion and far less than a million dollars each, can compete. I hope to see more of those teams at each race.

I can think of far worse ways to spend money and know I am blessed to be a part of it : )

Looking forward to the next round.

Thanks for in insite on your program Geoff!

So realistically the 175k number not including a car is about spot on.

As far as “rig” a Dually pick up goes 70k and a nice trailer well into 30k. Now swap the pickup for a RV/Motorcoach even used and you easy 100k and we are back to pretty close to that number again.

With the Average working salary around 50 to 70k a year we are talking 3 years work to just run the class for one season.

IMO You of all people should have NEVER loaned a motor to DSR! That is just insane. Those guys don’t have a back up motor too bad for them. I understand good sportsmanship but they have enough money to have 3 spair engines an extra car and whole Hospitality tent for each pro driver. For you letting a pro driver ride your coattails with all you have invested boggles my mind after all the work and effort you have put into your program and get where you are!

So even if we are talking travel stay (no RV) and everything else 5k per race 7 races 35k just to be there. Again not a set number but for reference there is a total 200k+. Makes the Comp guys open an eye. I hope more guys like you fell it is worth the investment and the class grows. It’s a special breed of folks to toe the line.