Track (Monthly Expenses)

[tommymac]

Originally Posted by Respect_My_Authorota

I am in a real dilemma here. My car is a POS. I need a new one, I am thinking of getting a truck, but its not practical for everyday traveling as it is a gas guzzler. If I don't get one then I have to be dependent on someone every time I want to go to a track. I might have to buy a car and a truck, that will put a hole in my pocket in terms of insurance [brooklyn is VERY expensive] decisions, decisions.

i did many track days solo last year so you know theres always a spot on my trailer. its too damn expensive going to beaver or vir by yourself.

tom

[Respect_My_Authorita]

Originally Posted by tommymac

i did many track days solo last year so you know theres always a spot on my trailer. its too damn expensive going to beaver or vir by yourself.

tom

Thanks Tom, between you and Boris, Next year I am hoping its going to be ok. Yep its expensive to be doing it alone, if thats what it takes then so be it

[tommymac]

Originally Posted by Respect_My_Authorota

Thanks Tom, between you and Boris, Next year I am hoping its going to be ok. Yep its expensive to be doing it alone, if thats what it takes then so be it

I tried to network with a few guys this season but didnt get too many people to hook up with and I want to do the same next year esp as we get more guys in the area into track days. jimmy and ray usualy go together and he sometimes can take a 3rd bike but if i have karen going I prety much have ot drive.

Hopefully I fall in love with thunderbolt and run ore days there since it will be less on gas than the furhter tracks.

tom

[RCM78]

Originally Posted by tommymac

I tried to network with a few guys this season but didnt get too many people to hook up with.
tom

If you didnt force them to listen to queensryche for 9 hours straight you wouldnt have this problem...

[tommymac]

Originally Posted by RCM78

If you didnt force them to listen to queensryche for 9 hours straight you wouldnt have this problem...

Come on I am not that bad, plus maybe they would like it

Plus I have still been listening to the stuff brian (cecil) turned me on to.

tom

[ImmaSquashYou]

wow, even though track day would be tons of fun, at this point there's no way that its financially possible for me to do this netherless the time. props to you guys who have the money and time. But my guess is if this is your only hobbie, its not SO bad.

[bondo]

Originally Posted by Respect_My_Authorota

I live in apartment complex [bike in a paid parking garage]. No place to store the trailer

Dump your car, get a small pickup ...eliminate the trailer.
or like carl said, "move!"
or what tommy said "hook up with someone and share costs."
(if you are flying solo now)


bottom line
if you are worried about the $$ you're mixed up with the wrong hobby

"Ignore the cost. Invest what is necessary to reach your goals"

[Respect_My_Authorita]

Originally Posted by bondo

Dump your car, get a small pickup ...eliminate the trailer.
or like carl said, "move!"
or what tommy said "hook up with someone and share costs."
(if you are flying solo now)


bottom line
if you are worried about the $$ you're mixed up with the wrong hobby

"Ignore the cost. Invest what is necessary to reach your goals"

I think everyone is worried about the money. Its just that I am trying to see what I can do to minimize it, thats the reason I started this thread. Not to see how I can end my hobby.

[Cakes206]

Meal Ticket!

[Kennedy]

Originally Posted by ImmaSquashYou

wow, even though track day would be tons of fun, at this point there's no way that its financially possible for me to do this netherless the time. props to you guys who have the money and time. But my guess is if this is your only hobbie, its not SO bad.

Theres a difference between doing a track day here and there, and the guys who are doing two to three track days a month.....Start small and slowly work you way into it.

Plus you can cornerwork and earn just about a free day with TPM. Thats the only way I earned my track days and the only way I could ever afford them.

[NYCSTRIPES]

How about just renting a trailer on occaision? Its not the cheapest option, but it worked for me for a season until I purchased my first 4x8 open trailer. Depending upon the rental place you choose, you can usually pick up the trailer the night before without charge and return it the next morning early without paying for an additional day.
Its how I used to get it done.
Ken

[carl_g]

def get a pickup so you can throw the bike in the bed.. unless you have a free secure place to stow a trailer..they are more problems then they are worth. IMO. Plus you pay extra tolls when you have a trailer in tow. Also you can drive faster and prob get better gas mileage when not towing.

[bondo]

Originally Posted by Respect_My_Authorota

I think everyone is worried about the money. Its just that I am trying to see what I can do to minimize it, thats the reason I started this thread. Not to see how I can end my hobby.

I'd say some people have it in the back of their head... wasn't trying to say you should get out of it. It's a ton of fun regardless of cost... def worth it


-Consider teaming up with someone to share costs. A couple of guys mentioned that already.

-A mini-pickup beats a trailer if you have no space, easy to load, etc
(ask CBRBOB how much fun they are to drive)

-Try to book events 2-in-a-row to save on travel time and costs.
That leaves some free time in the rest of the month to do other things and makes it more like a vacation (like Ken says)

-Some guys camp at the track to save the $100-200 in hotel costs... most tracks have showers and you can sleep a bit later because you are already setup.. no commute to the track.

- Cut back on other hobbies / expenses. i.e. If you smoke, save $1800-2000+ a year by quitting.... that's a speedpass at TPM.

Work out a budget in excel

12 trackdays is a lot in 6 months (for me)... I don't even think I've done 12 track days total since 2003! LOL So wait a minute... don't listen to me!

[Respect_My_Authorita]

Originally Posted by bondo

I'd say some people have it in the back of their head... wasn't trying to say you should get out of it. It's a ton of fun regardless of cost... def worth it


-Consider teaming up with someone to share costs. A couple of guys mentioned that already.

-A mini-pickup beats a trailer if you have no space, easy to load, etc
(ask CBRBOB how much fun they are to drive)

-Try to book events 2-in-a-row to save on travel time and costs.
That leaves some free time in the rest of the month to do other things and makes it more like a vacation (like Ken says)

-Some guys camp at the track to save the $100-200 in hotel costs... most tracks have showers and you can sleep a bit later because you are already setup.. no commute to the track.

- Cut back on other hobbies / expenses. i.e. If you smoke, save $1800-2000+ a year by quitting.... that's a speedpass at TPM.

Work out a budget in excel

12 trackdays is a lot in 6 months (for me)... I don't even think I've done 12 track days total since 2003! LOL So wait a minute... don't listen to me!

I'll definitely keep those in mind. I think I am going to go with a pickup truck. I should be able to get one in March or April, just in time for the season.


Thanks all for the information, cant wait for the season to start already

[John712]

$$$$$