How much can I make?

[tzracer]

Advice I was given by veteran racers :

If you cannot afford to pay for your racing out of pocket, don't even get started. Don't ever PLAN on winning ANY money. Racing first and foremost should be FUN.

My advice :

Racing is an expensive hobby. Do not spend more than you can afford. It can be done rather cheaply. Set a limit on what you can afford (a budget), once you reach the end of your budget, your season is over, do not go beyound your budget. Race a small bike (easy on tires, tend to get damaged less in a crash) and run a number of races that you can afford. Sleep in a tent/truck/trailer at the track, bring food with you rather than buying at the track or eating out. There are ways to save money.

[MudDawg]

Some good replies here.  But it boils down to a few of things.

1.  You can't count on winning anything.  If you are...more than likely you won't finish 1 season.

2.  $1000/weekend is pretty typical for a race weekend.  Entries, lodging, food, fuel, practice day $, tires, oil, brake pads, etc.)  It adds up quickly.  Yes it can be done somewhat cheaper if you try, but not aby a lot.  Many of those are 'fixed' costs that you can't do anything about.  

3.  Smaller bikes cause less wear on tires...significantly cutting down your tire bill.  Running essentially stock bikes does as well.  This can help the $ situation.

4.  You WILL have unexpected expenses.  For me they have been replacing bikes in a week, replacing multiple engines in a week, destroying multiples bikes AND engines in a week.  Blowing up towing vehicle engines. (Only 40K miles on the Oddo too!!!)
You put a lot of wear and tear on everything you have by racing.

5.  Healthcare - I hope you have it...and a good policy.  I too often hear about guys who have realtively minor injuries (Couple of broken bones) Complaining about the 20-40K in bills from their hospital stays.

Good luck.

[Jeff]

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

ummm yeah.  I'm in that category.  And believe me, I'm FAR from "big-time"...  I conserve tires.  I run pump gas.  I barter, beg, trade everything I can, and in the end it still costs $10k or more.

I do not live to work.  I work to live.
I live to race because I cannot race to live.

Alexa replied with one of my favorite quotes.  "You can make a small fortune in racing.  Just start out with a large fortune".

In the end, for those who chose it long-term, it becomes a lifestyle more than a hobby/sport.

[MudDawg]

In the end, for those who chose it long-term, it becomes a lifestyle more than a hobby/sport.

Yup.  You do it for the love of the sport.

I've raced a nice house away at this point.  Got scars, aches, pains, I limp.  

And not one damned regret....starting my 9th year in 2006.

[Scott]

I think "making" a NEGATIVE $10g's is just about right.  Thats assuming you already have a race ready bike, something to haul it with, etc.

I'm a regular old 6th or worse place amateur which earns you exactly $0 per year.  

I did '05 at just about $8g's being careful with tires, sleeping in a tent, and skipping a couple of races really far away.  

For a real eye opener, just do every practice and race you can at Road America this April, you'll be shocked!!

[weggie_man]

Hahahahaha... he said "make money"!! Ahahahahah! "make money in racing" Hahahahaha!!

Stop it you're killing me!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[motomaniac]

Make money?  You can talk yourself into thinking you'll make some money.  Contingency here, contingency there, but put that against the rest of the bill... I don't do it, I don't want to scare myself.  

I've been racing with the CCS for 16 years, I say to myself did I make some money?  Self I made $20 dollars today... Self, I spent $1000 today... ah self, just forget that last part, ok.  ok.  I made some money!!!!

It gets in your blood and you can't quit.  It's just too much fun.  Now, I did just get a real job, my racing is going to be down a little for a year, but in two years I'll have plenty of extra money to go racing on...  Thats how I do it, peaks and valleys.

[spyderchick]

I've been racing with the CCS for 16 years, I say to myself did I make some money?  Self I made $20 dollars today... Self, I spent $1000 today... ah self, just forget that last part, ok.  ok.  I made some money!!!!

Kind of like old ladies playing BINGO...oh wait, that was Jeff Kufalk!  ;D

[L8brake731]

Your initial investment is small in comparison as you have been reading. :D
Your best bet as an Amatuer, is to stay consistent and healthy for the first year. The consistancy will pay off when you are out presenting resumes to potential sponsors. The sponsors come in all different colors and sizes. Mostly, they will ALL help to offset the cost incurred by racing's appetite.
Contingency sponsors are a BIG help only if you can podium consistantly and have grids large enough for you to qualify for them. Dunlop, Pirelli, Bridgestone, EBC,etc. can all help your racing efforts.
The 1k per weekend is the real world and this is not counting wear and tear on the race and travel equuiptment. Petiton for sponsorship to pay all entry fees and go from there. Focus on getting the larger tabs taken care of by sponsorship; all or in part. Negotiate.
Lastly, the biggest gains from racing are to be found not just on the track but in the pits and with your friends and family that come to support you the others that share this passion for this sport. Racing is a family sport, look around, listen the next time you are between races.

I like what motomaniac said: "but in two years I'll have plenty of extra money to go racing on..." Now that's FUNNY! ;D

[Jeff]

Kind of like old ladies playing BINGO...oh wait, that was Jeff Kufalk!  ;D

I think the day I finally win (bingo) I'll retire... Until then, I suffer the pain...  ::)

[H-man]

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

You must be single and no kids, eh Dave?  ;)

Seriously though, that's pretty good info.

[clutch]

I made $795 cash in 2005 in WERA SOLO purses in the LW class....NO WHERE NEAR the amount I spent which I estimate is up near 10k or so. The Pirelli contingency helped with tires, making near 6k in tire money, but food, fuel, gate fees, crash damage etc...