Have you already looked into how much it costs to drive a supercar and decided you want to just take the dive and get into racing yourself? With many IndyCar Series and NASCAR drivers having had used sprint car racing as a steppingstone towards bigger racing divisions, sprint car racing is an attractive activity to get into to start your racing journey.
Like many hobbies worth getting involved in, sprint car racing is not free. In fact, sprint car racing costs a bit to get started. Even more important to consider is the recurring costs that come along with sprint car racing. Despite the expenses of getting into sprint car racing, it is a very worthwhile and rewarding hobby that may even bridge you over to competing in larger racing divisions. The following article overviews the costs of getting into sprint car racing:
Buying a Sprint Race Car
When doing research prior to getting into sprint car racing, you will quickly find that there is a wide price range for sprint race cars. On the upper end of the range, you can easily find a 360 non-winged sprint car for between $50,000 and $100,000, complete with everything needed and pre-built. Luckily, you do not have to spend this much to get a sprint race car.
Typically, the chassis and body of the sprint race car and the engine will be sold separately and need to be put together. With sprint race car chassis and bodies, we are only looking for function and safety. There will be no reason to explore the 5 ways to make your car interior look luxurious, and because aesthetics are not important, you will likely be able to find a used chassis and body for about $5,000.
Next, you will need to get an engine. The engine is the most important aspect of a sprint race car and will cost significantly more than the chassis and body. Expect to pay at least $10,000. This price also includes the labor costs of building the motor into your sprint race car. A great option for most new racers is a 360-cubic-inch engine which has a horsepower of about 700! No need to know what are the best bolt on mods for horsepower, because these engines are already perfect for their purpose. Of course, engines with even more horsepower are available at a higher cost.
Truck and Trailer
Since you can not drive sprint race cars on the street, you will need a way to transport your new race car to and from the track. Getting a truck and trailer is also imperative for towing your vehicle when damaged and in need of fixing or need parts replaced.
If you already have a vehicle capable of hauling a trailer and your sprint race car, you are already part of the way there. If not, you will have to consider purchasing one. Since it is just to transport your sprint car, it does not have to be a new or expensive vehicle. Check your local used car dealerships or even online markets and see what you can get your hands on for a couple thousand dollars. You will also have to buy a trailer that will also run you a couple grand. Alternatively, you can buy yourself an old tow truck if one happens to be available and within your price range.
Maintenance
A lot of pressure and strain is put on sprint race cars. Although you can reduce some of your costs by becoming a better driver, there will still be many recurring costs to keep your sprint race car up and running. Some of these costs will be required regularly, whereas other costs will be on an as needed basis.
For example, you will need to spend around $65 - $75 for oil and oil filter changes every couple of weeks. No matter what you do, if you are running your sprint race car, you are going to have to replace the oil and filters. Although not as frequently, there are maintenance costs for various other things as well such as bearings and seals that will need replacing.
A good way to cut some costs is to learn how to do some of the repairs and maintenance yourself so that you only have to pay for the parts themselves and not the labor involved. In particular, learning how to maintain and tune a chassis can save you a lot of money over time instead of having to bring it in to the shop regularly for it.
Fuel
With all of the expenses that come with getting into sprint car racing, many people completely overlook one significant recurring cost – fuel. Although it may not seem like much, over time it can be a significant expense. Typically, you can expect to need about $80 worth of fuel per weekend that you race.
You also can not forget about the fuel needed to transport your sprint race car to and from the track and to and from mechanics if required. Of course, how heavy your sprint race car is, your vehicle’s gas mileage, and the distance you have to travel to get to the race location will all impact how much gas your vehicle will need and how much you will have to pay.
Tires
One of the biggest expenses of getting into sprint car racing once you have built your sprint race car and bought a truck and trailer or tow truck is tires. Regardless of who you are, you are going to regularly need new tires. In fact, you can easily blow through 2 RR asphalt tires per night racing, costing around $150 to replace per piece.
Luckily, tires are another place you can cut some costs. You can often purchase lightly used tires for a fraction of the cost without reducing the quality by any appreciable amount. Make sure you get these tires from a trusted source though. A good way to find such places, and to get an idea about the costs of driving a sprint race car in general, is to pit for someone at a track in Los Angeles for a while.
After getting your sprint car, it's time to make sure it's protected. For information on the features, benefits, and pricing of skid plates, click here, alternatively, use our interactive map to find an authorized installer near you. If you enjoyed this article, check out our blog.