How much can I make?

[scamp]

Hi: Newbie,first post,be gentle! Would anyone care to
offer an opinion as to whether it would be possible for a non-pro rider to make enough through contingencies to,if not make money,atleast break even? By break even I do not mean price of bike and start up equipment,just the seasons running. this would include transport costs,gas,lodging,fees,etc. Sorry for being long winded.

[andy342]

Hope you're not trolling.

Anyway, there are maybe a dozen or more riders in the usa doing that.  I know three of them.  

Two have poduimed or won ama nationals or championships.  The other one is definitely good enough to.

I guess, don't expect it unless you are smoking fast.

If you are, see which manufacturers are paying, buy their bikes, and go for it.

Kawi is paying $2k for an expert win on their schedule.  The others are similar.

[JBraun]

Hi: Newbie,first post,be gentle! Would anyone care to
offer an opinion as to whether it would be possible for a non-pro rider to make enough through contingencies to,if not make money,atleast break even? By break even I do not mean price of bike and start up equipment,just the seasons running. this would include transport costs,gas,lodging,fees,etc. Sorry for being long winded.

As an amateur, No.
Larry Denning and Rob Jensen proved it can be done, but you have to be INCREDIBLY fast and not crash or get hurt.
If you ran a whole season, won a lot and never crashed it might only cost around $20K for the year.
Probably not the news you were looking for... ;D

[spyderchick]

Hi: Newbie,first post,be gentle! Would anyone care to
offer an opinion as to whether it would be possible for a non-pro rider to make enough through contingencies to,if not make money,atleast break even? By break even I do not mean price of bike and start up equipment,just the seasons running. this would include transport costs,gas,lodging,fees,etc. Sorry for being long winded.

To make a small fortune in racing you must start with a large fortune.

There are way too many debt ridden racers, this is not a venture to "make money" or even try to make a living. The guys who are doing it are not living the high-life, but instead are talented, self-motivated individuals who possess the necessary skills to to ride, wrench and press the flesh of every sponsor who supports their effort. They do it because of their passion for the sport.

[mike_rbm]

Sacrificed new vehicles, nice home, dinners out, time off including vacations and a few relationships to chase this crazy addiction!

When I get older - maybe  ;) - I'll settle down but for now I have paid thousands in medical bills, tens of thousands for bikes and parts and tires, slept in tents and ate crappy food all for the rush.

Don't worry about IF your fast or IF you will get some sponsors, you WILL experience alot of financial struggles.















But it will all be worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  ;D

[mdr14]

Lets take Denning and Jensen out of the equation....

The better question would be: How much can I expect to lose racing.

Well, that depend on how many races you enter. How many tires you go through, how much fuel you use, how often you change brake pads.

ANd lets not forget potential crash damge!!!!

How often you do or do not finish in the tire contingency or whatever contingency is available.


etc. etc and so forth.

I don't think 10 Grand is unrealistic to spend in a season... Hotel, traveling, food and so on.

Heck I bet there are even guys saying " 10 grand! I wish I only spent 10 Grand!"

[OmniGLH]

The better question would be: How much can I expect to lose racing.

LOL!

Great question, Matt!  Much more appropriate than asking how much one can profit from racing.

[Old808]

As an amateur, No.
Larry Denning and Rob Jensen proved it can be done, but you have to be INCREDIBLY fast and not crash or get hurt.
If you ran a whole season, won a lot and never crashed it might only cost around $20K for the year.
Probably not the news you were looking for... ;D

I'd be surprised if Cobb and Rojas didn't break even (or close) as Amateurs.
 ;)

[Team-G]

Here's an average rider's feedback:

My first full season running 6 races per weekend cost me $1,000 to $1,500 per weekend including practice days and all costs involved.  I made a little over $6,000 in taxable contingency money and CCS certs; $1,800 purse winnings at the ROC.

I can justify it easily 'cause I treat it like my vacation instead of the high expectation high dollar vacation packages.

[G 97]

Lets take Denning and Jensen out of the equation....

The better question would be: How much can I expect to lose racing.

Well, that depend on how many races you enter. How many tires you go through, how much fuel you use, how often you change brake pads.

ANd lets not forget potential crash damge!!!!

How often you do or do not finish in the tire contingency or whatever contingency is available.


etc. etc and so forth.

I don't think 10 Grand is unrealistic to spend in a season... Hotel, traveling, food and so on.

Heck I bet there are even guys saying " 10 grand! I wish I only spent 10 Grand!"

Hey Drucker thanks for bringing this into focus again.  I have been trying to repress this and have been doing a decent job of it and have been perfectly content staying in a state of denial.  

I'm going to go cry now.  

[Super Dave]

Hi: Newbie,first post,be gentle! Would anyone care to
offer an opinion as to whether it would be possible for a non-pro rider to make enough through contingencies to,if not make money,atleast break even? By break even I do not mean price of bike and start up equipment,just the seasons running. this would include transport costs,gas,lodging,fees,etc. Sorry for being long winded.

No.

And then it all leads to questions.

What riding skills and resources do you have that you can use to your advantage?  If you have a lot, then you still have a good chance to have fun and spend a lot of money doing it.  

There are a few riders, like Andy said, maybe a dozen out of the, what, five to seven thousand licensed road racers that are fast enough that they can be competitive track to track for manufacturers contingency money.  That can add up to $40k to $120k, for those riders.  And those guys can live on the road for three months before seeing home.  Not an easy life, but it's a life racing.  

I think Matt hit is pretty good that a rider will spend a decent $10k on a fair race season.

[cardzilla]

Hahahahahaah  ;D

J/K, but it is very difficult.

I used to make a VERY small profit in the early 90's.  My teammate secured sponsorship through a local dealer that paid $250,$100 and $50 for every 1st, 2nd and 3rd.  That coupled with tire and other assorted contingency made it bearable... but we usually finished 1-2 in most of our races  ;)

Remember, it isn't always talent that brings a lucrative sponsor on board.  It all boils down to what you can do for their advertising dollar.