Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Wood How many rounds then Kev. After 3 seasons, I'd say it was 500gbp a round including everything required for the season. Trackdays, extra races, crash damage, etc. Sure, you can get away with less, but why? IMHO |
8 rounds Chris, only missed Angelsey so just over £400 a round
As WJB says it depends where you start
Well my initial layout was in 1997 when I got my first ACU licence and my first race bike, I have been through quite a few bikes since then and also a few vans and there must also be a tyre mountain somewhere with my name on it.
I have also used the same leathers and helmets for the last couple of years.
I have paid my membership to New era every year since 1998 and my DSC membership has been renewed anually since 2002.
Last year I only ran on one Saturday to keep costs within budget as the trip across to Assen added a sizeable amount to the travel costs and was worth every penny of it.
Budget for 2009 had been set at £3000 for going racing, ie entries, fuel, tyres etc, as I sold a few items in August/September and as this could be my last season racing I decided to use some of the extra cash for doing practice at Pembrey and also Saturday at the Dave Holland Festival.
The rest has gone to upgrades for the race bike in the event that I can race next year if I can earn a suitable income, which is one of the reasons I was looking at what this seaon had cost me, as WJB points out its a net cost and you need to earn a good percentage more to cover it.
so knowing what my Monthly Bills/Direct Debits come to along with the other cost of living expenses I have a good idea of what I need to earn next year if I want to go racing.
So a lot will depend on if I'm looking for a new job come March 2010 or possibly taking a lower paid job within the company I currently work for.
There is a slim chance we will get a stay of execution for 12 to 24 months which would be great but is wholey dependent on one customer extending his contract with us.
Knowing what to set as a budget isn't a bad thing, I have now done 12 seasons of racing all done on Pay as you Earn, therefore thankfully no debts due to it, then again no large deposit accounts either.
Its a choice you make and i have ne regrets as I have had some great times, met lots of great people and made some life long friends.
Next years race Budget needs to be £3500 if I want to compete in the majority of the rounds, which equates to putting aside £300 each month from now to the end of next season, so by the end of March I will have hopefully put away £1800 but if I'm then out of a job it will be going on things other than racing.