Whats the Cost to race?

[captglm]

I'm a fishing guide and tournament bass fisherman. I'm not that familiar with the boat racing industry. I have watched the big boys racing on TV. it looks like a lot of fun.. I have noticed that most of the guys on this site race boats, is some of this just a hobby or is it a business or both?--I honestly I don't have a clue about racing. I would like to know a little more about the racing industry. is it similar to the big bass fishing events where you can win huge prize money? I read where guys are continually tweaking motors for top performance, rebuilding motors and changing rings, heads, props and lower units. this looks like it could get very expensive!- do you have sponsors to pay for the cost and travel ? out of curiosity what does it cost per year to keep these motors running and travel around the country racing these boats?

Thanks
GM ><>

[Hot Shot Merc]

There are only a few people that usualy win their class at each event.These few guys make enough in prize money to sometimes pay for the weekend.The days of huge payouts are gone.In drag racing anyway.I think most folks do it for the fun and bragging wrights.A tare down and re ring somtimes new rods and always new bearings and some hardware.Can get very expensive.Some drag motors have ov er 20 grand in them by the time you buy the motor and then have your favorite engine builder do his magic with after market rods ect.The machine work alone can be in several grand and then there is racing gear cases.Some guys like the small XR cases and have the sportmaster guts machined to fit.Then a nice new cone and we havent even talked about props yet.The average drag racer can spend nearly 800 to a grand per race between entry fee,travel exspences such as lodging fuel food ect.Sponsors dont really get to heavily involved in drag racing anymore either due to very little if any TV exposure.Most people have a few small sponsors but no realy big sponsors that I have seen.I speak of outboard drag racing however it seems that in the car boat class they still can carry a pretty good sponsorship.Tghey also have TV time for the exposure.The ODBA drags were on speed vison about ten years ago but even then most of the guys footed the bill themselves for the most part.I know Jay Smith carried a sponsorship but he could tell you more about that then me.All in all its a love for the sport.:thumbsup:

[Jeff_G]

In circle racing you would be very lucky to cover your expenses, that goes for any class, any division. Some classes/divisions almost never have prize money at all.
Basically it is done for the love of the sport. How much you spend depends on the class, where the races are (touring class like Champboat), your equipment and personnel.
I don't know of anyone who actually makes a living from racing only. Even in the top tiers the drivers all have other jobs.
In my career I have spent enough to buy a very nice place on a quiet river here in South Carolina. But I wouldn't have done it any other way, or traded my experiences, or the many true friends I have made along the way.

[D.B.S]

Lots! Do you want to win? lots more!:D

[Way2slow on H2O]

It's definately "for the love of the sport"....

This year is gonna be tough for a lot of racers and sponshorship has dropped a great deal.

Ronnie
SDBA #214

[tabararacing]

The sport can be what you make of it. There are beginner classes that can be enjoyable and keep cost down and it can get very expensive.

It certainly is addictive and expensive. But the friendships and fun along the way make it all worth it.

[T-REX]

Depends on tha class, if ya do ya own work, what kinna mota's ya run, and if ya one ov those that winn'in iz an obsession....It iz all costly...I race for tha fun ov it, and do all my own work, on junk, and enjoy tha surroundings and visit'in friend, and if I win a round, it's juss ice'in on tha cake.....Our first race wuz in Gulfport, I ran a class I kan only win if everbody else breaks, and it cost me a cool $600 for tha weekend...That wuz no exstinsive party'in or drank'in.........But DAMM it wuz fun!!:thumbsup: