Sorry for yet another nubie question

[Xian_13]

....  But often times as street riders, we do things....well, weird.  Sometimes its a matter of breaking a habbit, etc.

(This is fun.  This is fun...)

Well after 13 years of *Legal* Street riding, I am looking at everything like learning to walk again.

I have been riding out on the ice.. heading out in a few mins now.... But between the 2 races I ran, and this ice riding  ???
Seems like everything I thought no longer applies. Funny how old bad habits are so darn hard to break ;D

[Super Dave]

Exactly.  And if you don't know what the bad habbits are...

Even then, sometimes it takes a day, or a weekend, or an inquisitive question from me down the road, to get the the brunt of the "problem."  

Needless to say, I didn't have that kind of help.  The only one that was able to do that for me at all was Dale Quarterley.  And sometimes it wasn't my riding, it was my state of mind.  I understand it all now very well.

[grim_racer]

what is an average budget for the first couple years as beginner?

[Thingy]

what is an average budget for the first couple years as beginner?

Don't ask, you don't want to know...

(It is still worth it, though!)

[grim_racer]

it's ok, i'm a big boy. I am prepared. (sitting down)

[mdr14]

Lets say your hard core into it and want to race a bunch.
Budget $250 for race fees per weekend, for like 6 races or so, one set of race tires per weekend ( what do they go for 325-340 a set? Depends on the brand of tire you choose and if you have any hook ups. It is cheaper to buy tires than fix crash damage) If you choose the ever popular VP race fuel ( or some equivalent) that could be about $90 for about 10 gallons of Ultimate 4.

Of course you have travel expenses and other consumables over the season.

Yeah, you can do it cheaper, but you will be sacrificing something, track tire, tire quality, safety, horsepower.

[FullMoonRacing]

it's ok, i'm a big boy. I am prepared. (sitting down)

The quick answer...
AS MUCH AS YOU'VE GOT!

[Super Dave]

Don't think of it as a budget...

It's more like a really, really, really bad addiction.

How much really?

Well, you've gotta have goals.  Are you going to Daytona in October?  Don't race as much during the year, unless you've got a sugar daddy, so you can pay for the tires/fuel there.  Pick and choose the races you REALLY want to do well in.  If your a little inexperienced, pick out a GP class vs a Superbike class, if you can.  You might do better in it, placement wise, and feel a bit more motivated in other races.  Purse classes are great, if you can get a pay back.  Practice?  Or a real school?  Tires?  You can probably use up two rear tires to one front.  Brakes...

How fast do you want to go, is the famous saying....

[KBOlsen]

Plan on five figures before the decimal.  First year is the most expensive, next year is almost as expensive.  Don't think of it in terms of dollars.  It will be the most fun you will ever have in your life!!!!!!!!!

Entry for 6 races per weekend (including a GP and GT race) is more like $330, plus $35 per head gate fee.

Here's a link you might find helpful...http://www.formulausa.com/forms/03%20New%20Racer%20Pkg.PDF

[grim_racer]

Great I looked at my money situation, and I figure if I don't eat or drive any where( not even to work) I might have enough money to do that. I work as a car audio installer.  NOT A LOT OF MONEY!!!!!

[KBOlsen]

Don't be discouraged... My estimate may be higher than your actual cost based on a variety of factors (my dog is not track-friendly and must be boarded every weekend, for example).  Plus, last year I had to purchase all of my safety gear (suit, boots, gloves, back protector, 2 helmets) and the bike.

You can save a lot of $ by sleeping/cooking at the track, doing your own mechanical work, scrounging eBay for used parts...  and nobody said you HAVE to run 6 races EVERY weekend.  My suggestion as to how best to allocate your $ would be:

1.  Safety Gear (get the best you can afford)
2.  Suspension/Tires/VisionSports
3.  Everything else.

[Xian_13]

....., scrounging eBay for used parts...

I have bought so many spares off of Ebay I am thinking about running them as a Sponcor ;D