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This race car build is really getting expensive. 
While I am glad it is almost done, I can’t believe what I have spent up to this point. I am really scared to add up my receipts. What’s stings worse is all these really nice sub $10,000 cars starting to pop up.
So, note to those starting out…buy a used, complete car, ready to race.
/rant
I’m in the same boat. It’s not only the expense but the time it takes to get everything together. I keep telling myself that I’ve learned a lot in the process… like next time I’ll buy a prepped car!
while i would recommend that for just about anyone, i hate the idea because its so much harder to go through other peoples messes, plus if the cage was built a weird way for someone else, it may be an issue for you. I just prefer to do it all on my own. we built our last car for 11k including the cost of the car.
i love building race cars!
See, I built my 944-Spec car for $3,500 a few years back. I cut some corners performance wise, bought a used bolt in cage for $450 and relied on my circle track part suppliers to save me money on safety equipment that road course suppliers were charging double, sometimes triple. One of my biggest issues with building over buying has always been the ability to spend a little money over time vs one big chunk. Made it easier to swallow. However, two years ago, I vowed to build this E30 and not scrimp on safety equipment. It is not necessarily that blowing my budget, but everything else. Everything will be fine once I take my first laps.
For the record, I am approaching $12K and I haven’t bought my wheels and tires yet.
And one racing season can easily eclipse that amount. Building the car is peanuts in comparison.
Then again, it depends on how competitive you want to be. Many up front SM guys are shaving Toyos down to 1-2/32" of tread and buying new tires every weekend, and sometimes more than one set per weekend. That crap adds up fast.
I’m disappointed that I now have to spend an extra $200 or so buying weight for the car. Could have kept a lot of the crap that was in the car to begin with, but I thought “no wai, race car!”
I ignored it twice. The first time was an attempt at an h-prod x1-9 in 2004. I think I’m over the 12k mark also and I don’t have wheels and tires. My cage was 2k but i’ve been uber cheap with the rest of the safety equipment.
safety equipment is most certainly not a place to even consider going cheap. just my opinion.
Yes but I think harnesses are like pants. Your paying more for the name than the quality.
I buy the RCI Platinum harnesses from Summit Racing for $69.99 each. They are SFI rated but come with a certificate to be re-certified for an additional 2 yrs for only $20. So, 4 yr belts for $90 each.
I raced for years without a hans type device, a right side net and a few other things. Would be happy to go back to that in a heartbeat and save myself a couple grand.
You sign the waiver when you get on track. Yup, it makes for a safer car system, but it also drives up the cost of racing quite a bit.
I still haven’t been able to figure out why belts need to be replaced every 2 years. It should be based on logbook incidents. If belts in regular street cars are good for 10 years plus, my race belts should be fine for a few years if I don’t have an incident.
The seat thing bothers me too, but these are all battles that can’t be won.
Think I’d venture to say that about 1/2 the cost of my car is wrapped up in “safety equipment.”
[quote=“Foglght” post=63842]
I still haven’t been able to figure out why belts need to be replaced every 2 years.[/quote]
Get FIA belts.
The BMWCCA 2 yr replacement requirement on nets is silly tho. The test that spec is based on simulated the webbing being outside and exposed to UV and weather 24/7. As if the sun never sets and letting the elements beat on our cars day after day is a common practice.
[quote=“Ranger” post=63843]Get FIA belts.
The BMWCCA 2 yr replacement requirement on nets is silly tho. The test that spec is based on simulated the webbing being outside and exposed to UV and weather 24/7. As if the sun never sets and letting the elements beat on our cars day after day is a common practice.[/quote]
What is the cost difference between FIA and “regular” belts? I think my belts were somewhere around $80 and FIAs appear to be between $250-350.
I don’t even understand the need for the net, but whatever. The lawyers have us…
[quote=“Foglght” post=63847][quote=“Ranger” post=63843]Get FIA belts.
[/quote]
What is the cost difference between FIA and “regular” belts? I think my belts were somewhere around $80 and FIAs appear to be between $250-350.
[/quote]
You can get G-Force 6-pt Camlock belts for $154. The “pull-down” models have FIA ratings and are good for 5 years. The “pull-up” models only have SFI ratings, making them good for two years. (Not sure why…)
http://www.saferacer.com/g-force-pro-6pt-camlock-harness.html?productid=953
You can get latch-n-link models with FIA ratings for even cheaper, like around $75 - $80.
To each his own, but safety is one area where I refuse to be cheap.
I do agree the 2 year life on center nets is stupid. Someone in the know explained it to me that it’s because the FIA (which typically rates safety items for 5 years) doesn’t have a rating system in place for center nets. So because the nets are only certified by SFI then the rules default to the 2 year life span. That may be true, but the cynic in me still sees it as a way for the SFI manufacturers to ensure a steady stream of center net purchases.
As for the necessity of them:
https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=324007572872
There are more videos out there including a relatively low speed rally crash where the driver’s head hits the co-driver’s.
If I felt I could get away with no rollbar padding, a hans device, center net, 2010 helmet, and new belts I would have done it. Unfortunately, that all cost me around a grand. Again, not happy but arguing with tech people isn’t my goal here so I’m just screwed.
I also don’t carry passengers so there is no reason on earth I need a side net.
[quote=“Foglght” post=63854]
I also don’t carry passengers so there is no reason on earth I need a side net.[/quote]
Huh? Side net doesn’t benefit the passenger, it benefits YOU. While I agree somewhat with your comments in regards to expiration dates, I 100% disagree with your opinion on Hans devices. From the first moment I put one on, I vowed never to be without one, even in a DE. I wish we knew how many lives this piece of safety equipment has saved.
[quote=“mcmmotorsports” post=63856][quote=“Foglght” post=63854]
I also don’t carry passengers so there is no reason on earth I need a side net.[/quote]
Huh? Side net doesn’t benefit the passenger, it benefits YOU. While I agree somewhat with your comments in regards to expiration dates, I 100% disagree with your opinion on Hans devices. From the first moment I put one on, I vowed never to be without one, even in a DE. I wish we knew how many lives this piece of safety equipment has saved.[/quote]
I was commenting on the helmet to helmet example, somewhat in jest.
I definitely don’t think there should be anything stopping you from wearing a hans, though I would like to drive without one.
If they were $50-100 I probably wouldn’t bitch.
not yet in a car but I am very surprise by the net requirement, never seen that in europe in series like wtcc or GT series regulated by FIA. helmet to helmet against your passenger, if both are wearing 6 points belts properly tighen, how is that even possible?