[IAmSpeed]

Just wanted to share my experience for those curious about track days. I’ve owned various sports cars but never took them to the track until recently. As I got financially ready, I finally signed up for a track day at Thunderhill Raceway, CA a few months ago. The cost definitely added up, but it was worth it!

Here’s a breakdown of what I spent:

- Registration Fee: $700
- Insurance: $500
- Brake Fluid: $300 (needed to meet track requirements)
- Tires: $2000 (a fresh set was required)
- Gas: $200 (Thunderhill is about 150 miles from me)
- Hotel: $200 (you need a good sleep so don't try to leave like same day 3 am and think you can handle it)
- Helmet: $400

Plus other costs for water, food, etc. In total, it came to over $4000 for one day of tracking!

Despite the expenses, it was an incredible experience to push my M3 to its limits without worrying about speed limits or cops. I had the chance to legally hit triple digits multiple times! If you’re into cars and driving, I highly recommend doing a track day at least once. It’s pricey, but the thrill is unmatched. I used to think skiing was an expensive sport, but racing definitely takes the cake!

This is definitely something I won't be able to afford do it regularly at the moment but it's for sure a once in a lifetime experience for me.

[BackOnBlack]

Great to see one more driver on the track with their G8x, well done!

As far as the costs are concerned, the total bill needs to be amortized over multiple events. The tires, helmet, brake fluid costs don't need to be incurred again for the next event obviously.

As an example, my total cost for 2024 is less than $6500. This includes, all fluid changes, new brake pads, brake cooling, SS brake lines, spacers, two used front tires, wireless ODB reader, helmet communications, four DE event fees, three autox event fees, alignment and all maintenance, and excludes gas to run the events.

Palatable, but still pretty high I think. The event fees have gone through the roof, and I think it is keeping many new drivers out of the events. Although all events I have been to in our area have been sold out. So, something will hopefully change, I don't think the current price/cost model will be sustainable.

Regardless, the track is the best way to enjoy the cars we have I think, otherwise we should all be drving GR Yaris or something like that.

[calbears]

Originally Posted by BackOnBlack

Palatable, but still pretty high I think. The event fees have gone through the roof, and I think it is keeping many new drivers out of the events. Although all events I have been to in our area have been sold out. So, something will hopefully change, I don't think the current price/cost model will be sustainable.

Track rental costs vary greatly by venue. Sonoma, for example, costs $36,000 to rent. This doesn't include the insurance costs for the organizer, logistics, etc. So, yes, the fee to the participant can be quite high. What is needed is sponsorship for the events to subsidize.

Laguna Seca is similar in pricing and also varies based on the dB limit for that day. 105dB being the most expensive.

Thunderhill Raceway is much cheaper and Buttonwillow is dirt cheap.

[BackOnBlack]

Originally Posted by calbears

Track rental costs vary greatly by venue. Sonoma, for example, costs $36,000 to rent. This doesn't include the insurance costs for the organizer, logistics, etc. So, yes, the fee to the participant can be quite high. What is needed is sponsorship for the events to subsidize.

Laguna Seca is similar in pricing and also varies based on the dB limit for that day. 105dB being the most expensive.

Thunderhill Raceway is much cheaper and Buttonwillow is dirt cheap.

Yes, the track rental costs have gone up apparently. However, I have other issues too. For example, 'instructors' are paying only 1/3rd or half the fees, and regular drivers paying increased fees to cover their costs. Certainly instructors are volunteering their time and teachings, but I am a solo driver and don't get the benefit of a full weekend instructor and still pay full price.

Also, most events list 'sponsors.' I do not know if they are contributing to the event costs or how much, but most often event organizers list 5-7 different sponsors. In addition, I am aware that most clubs' DE programs make significant profit, and these programs tend to cover other club programs that lose money.

There must be a better way, but currently no one is motivated to solve this as it is not seen to be a problem, I am guessing.

[FriedPiston]

$4k for one track day is a bit steep -- do you mind sharing the Thunderhill organizer who charged you $700 for registration?

My estimates for 5 HPDEs so far this year are as follows:

Laguna Seca
Registration: Courtesy of Sunwise Auto Group
Insurance: $400 for $60k coverage

Thunderhill West
Registration: $160 (SCCA, Half Day)
Insurance: $0 (seldom needed for this track)

Thunderhill East
A. Registration: $180 (SpeedSF)
Insurance: $250 for $35k coverage

B. Registration: $120 (SCCA, Half Day)
Insurance: $200 for $30k coverage

Sonoma Raceway
A. Registration: $180 (Golden Gate Lotus CCA, Half Day - Open Passing)
Insurance: $230 for $30k coverage

Fuel (100 octane): $600
Fresh Kumho V730 for the season: $1350
Motul RBF 660 brake fluid: $60 (DIY)
H&R front sway bar: $800
Transmission and Diff Fluid change: $350
Track Alignment: $120

Rough total so far: $5000

I plan on attending at least 2 more events before calling it a wrap for the year, so maybe another $1000 for the next 2 months.

[calbears]

Originally Posted by BackOnBlack

Yes, the track rental costs have gone up apparently. However, I have other issues too. For example, 'instructors' are paying only 1/3rd or half the fees, and regular drivers paying increased fees to cover their costs. Certainly instructors are volunteering their time and teachings, but I am a solo driver and don't get the benefit of a full weekend instructor and still pay full price.

Also, most events list 'sponsors.' I do not know if they are contributing to the event costs or how much, but most often event organizers list 5-7 different sponsors. In addition, I am aware that most clubs' DE programs make significant profit, and these programs tend to cover other club programs that lose money.

There must be a better way, but currently no one is motivated to solve this as it is not seen to be a problem, I am guessing.

Sponsorship money for us (GGC BMW CCA) for HPDS is relatively small. Some sponsors it might be $500 or so. That's not going to make a dent in anything.

As for profit, the goal is to break even. Even then, back in 2022 we lost a significant amount of money on two track days. The one we just ran at Laguna Seca (a Monday) did not sell out and we lost thousands of dollars.

Does your HPDS offer advanced data coaching? We do and that's where a lot of our solo drivers can utilize a coach (no right seat instructing) to get better. After each session, you'll go over the data with a coach.

As an instructor, I don't get much time on the track in my vehicle. Sure, I can go out in other sessions (avoiding novice and lower intermediate), but if I have 2 students (usually the case), I'm not getting much time at all due to the constraints. We do have one session for instructors, but that is also used as a ride-along exercise. Maybe yours is different, but it's a lot of work in the right seat for little benefit. For example, at Laguna I had 2 students. I did 3 flying laps in one session and then ride-alongs in the instructor session and had to cut that short since next up was my novice student--so I had to get back to the tent to instruct before the session was up and perhaps get some water and a bathroom break.

[BEAR-AvHistory-2]

Our club Tarheel Chapter BMWCCA charges

Student 2-day Saturday – Sunday driving school $535.00
A+ 3-day Friday-Sunday driving school $795.00
Friday-only instructor orientation & ITS candidates $180.00

Its run on the VIR Full Course. Also on the the Full Course Charity Laps at $25 for 30 minutes a few times a year. Go as long as you want with $25 for each 1/2 hour.

[munizfire]

Originally Posted by IAmSpeed

...
Here’s a breakdown of what I spent:

- Registration Fee: $700
- Insurance: $500
- Brake Fluid: $300 (needed to meet track requirements)
- Tires: $2000 (a fresh set was required)
- Gas: $200 (Thunderhill is about 150 miles from me)
- Hotel: $200 (you need a good sleep so don't try to leave like same day 3 am and think you can handle it)
- Helmet: $400

Plus other costs for water, food, etc. In total, it came to over $4000 for one day of tracking!
...
This is definitely something I won't be able to afford do it regularly at the moment but it's for sure a once in a lifetime experience for me.

Allow me to make some counter arguments to help you realize that the cost is lower than you think:

- Registration Fee: $700 I am not familiar with that track, but that seems high for a single track day.
- Insurance: $500 This seems a bit higher than average for some reason.
- Brake Fluid: $300 (needed to meet track requirements) This seems a little bit too steep for me, but then again I typically bleed/flush my brake fluid, using MOTUL 660 or 600, and I don't think I even spend $150 a year on brake fluids
- Tires: $2000 (a fresh set was required) I am curious as to why they were requiring fresh tires? I would understand if you had moderate-heavy wear, or sub-par tires (even the Pirellis in these cars can handle the track [there are WAY better options, tho]. Either way, tires are consumables, but unless you're tracking it hard and often, a set of track tires can last you more than a year, specially if you're not using them as daily tires (to give you an example, my last set of PS4Ss (on my Mustang) took about 5 track days, over 20 VERY spirited mountain/canyon runs, and about 10k miles of rather aggressive daily driving, and lasted me about a year before they started getting low (could've still gotten 1-2 more track days, but I'm anal, so I changed them)
- Gas: $200 (Thunderhill is about 150 miles from me) nothing to do about this one
- Hotel: $200 (you need a good sleep so don't try to leave like same day 3 am and think you can handle it) This one is kinda valid and hard to argue against, although I typically leave for my track days around 5am
- Helmet: $400 This is negligible, assuming you bought SNELL SA2020, that helmet will be good for at least 6 years (maybe 11 depending on the track); Also, will come in handy when riding along on other cars (and maybe even for go-karts); Plus, you're saving money by buying it, rather than renting helmets at different events

One thing you did forget to factor in are brakes. Tracking will eat your pads, and you'll go thru them way faster.


I do track days (and autox) regularly in Arizona, and I think I don't spend $4k a year total.
I'm registered with 2 or 3 organizations (unsure if one of them is active at the moment); I would say average track day registration is $250 per day (some are more, but my local track charges $120 for time attack nights (you still get 4-5 sessions)); sometimes we'll rent out different tracks for a couple of friends (15-30) and it's never over $300.

I'd recommend checking if you have NASA near you (I know they operate in some parts of California), they're a well known organization, with instructors and everything. Track days (well, just the registration) with them typically run me $200-350

[BackOnBlack]

Originally Posted by calbears

Sponsorship money for us (GGC BMW CCA) for HPDS is relatively small. Some sponsors it might be $500 or so. That's not going to make a dent in anything.

As for profit, the goal is to break even. Even then, back in 2022 we lost a significant amount of money on two track days. The one we just ran at Laguna Seca (a Monday) did not sell out and we lost thousands of dollars.

Does your HPDS offer advanced data coaching? We do and that's where a lot of our solo drivers can utilize a coach (no right seat instructing) to get better. After each session, you'll go over the data with a coach.

As an instructor, I don't get much time on the track in my vehicle. Sure, I can go out in other sessions (avoiding novice and lower intermediate), but if I have 2 students (usually the case), I'm not getting much time at all due to the constraints. We do have one session for instructors, but that is also used as a ride-along exercise. Maybe yours is different, but it's a lot of work in the right seat for little benefit. For example, at Laguna I had 2 students. I did 3 flying laps in one session and then ride-alongs in the instructor session and had to cut that short since next up was my novice student--so I had to get back to the tent to instruct before the session was up and perhaps get some water and a bathroom break.

I am sure this is a regional topic. I have not heard any club lose money on track events in our region, there maybe and it would be an exception IMHO.

Our National Capitol Chapter of BMW CCA runs the best events I have been to thus far, second best is probably PCA. I will be trying NASA next and see.

With the CCA, if instructors have two students, then they do not charge the event fee at all, which is understandable. Handling two students' schedule is really tough; I would not do it. I think it is half price if you have one student, which is also reasonable. On top of it, even if you are an advanced student, you still get an instructor, which is awesome. The classroom sessions with the NCC are also superb. The last one I attended was about vehicle dynamics, and someone from Bimmerworld was there to explain few things and talk about which modifications yield the best results. I have not seen anyone do any sort of data analytics.

With the PCA, they have the cheapest event fees by a small margin. However, as soon as you are an intermediate student, you do not get an instructor, unless you ask for it and that's for one session. You have to ask different instructors for different sessions. Classroom sessions are boring, it is all about safe passing, every single session.

Although, I prefer the PCA events to others just because most of my friends are there, and they always reserve a seat for me under their trailers

Be safe, run fast!

[turbojg]

Just did a 'Track Days' at Monticello, NY.

Cost $625.00 for a half day - $1250.00 for a full day.

"M" vehicles were supplied. No additional costs and included a great meal afterward.

[BackOnBlack]

Here are some track rental costs:

https://imola.motorsportreg.com/the-...und-the-world/

[981GRCS]

Is this your first event? That's the only reason I can think the cost was so high for registration. I'm in the Northeast and run in Intermediate in a few different organizations and fees are $250-399 depending on the track and whether it is a week day or weekend. As a novice registration was more like $550-$700. As others have mentioned the fluid cost is really high. I typically buy 2 bottles of RBF 600 which is $20 each and I only go through 1 or 1.5 of the bottles and leave the balance in my bleeder for the next flush.

Tires are not a fair assessment and same with the helmet. Tires are probably the biggest cost. If you track on summers they will wear very quickly. You're better off buying a set of wheels and dedicated tires that last longer and can handle the abuse better. But in general you need to calculate the life of the tires per event and same with brakes.

Personally I do not buy track insurance. I have a prepped Cayman S with a 25' M3 on order and will not pay for insurance on that either. I know my limits and drive at 8/10. Still learning the tracks and I have a ton of time left on the tables without pushing the car past it's limits.

Lastly, I typically leave at 5am like others have mentioned. I've never actually had to stay at a hotel but fully plan on making a trip down to VIR or over to Watkins Glenn next year. Gas can be anywhere from $50-$200 depending on the track and local gas stations.

For me the out of pocket cost for day of event is $400-$500. Tires cost anywhere from $1,300 - $1,800 and last 5-10 events. I also run RSL-29 pads and am at 8k street miles, 5 events, and they're not even at 50% life. Those were $1,000 for the fronts and rears. So I am closer to $1,000 total cost per event on the high end. I do expect the M3 to be a higher run cost due to the added weight.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by IAmSpeed

Just wanted to share my experience for those curious about track days. I’ve owned various sports cars but never took them to the track until recently. As I got financially ready, I finally signed up for a track day at Thunderhill Raceway, CA a few months ago. The cost definitely added up, but it was worth it!

Here’s a breakdown of what I spent:

- Registration Fee: $700
- Insurance: $500
- Brake Fluid: $300 (needed to meet track requirements)
- Tires: $2000 (a fresh set was required)
- Gas: $200 (Thunderhill is about 150 miles from me)
- Hotel: $200 (you need a good sleep so don't try to leave like same day 3 am and think you can handle it)
- Helmet: $400

Plus other costs for water, food, etc. In total, it came to over $4000 for one day of tracking!

Despite the expenses, it was an incredible experience to push my M3 to its limits without worrying about speed limits or cops. I had the chance to legally hit triple digits multiple times! If you’re into cars and driving, I highly recommend doing a track day at least once. It’s pricey, but the thrill is unmatched. I used to think skiing was an expensive sport, but racing definitely takes the cake!

This is definitely something I won't be able to afford do it regularly at the moment but it's for sure a once in a lifetime experience for me.

Tracking is not cheap, but here's how you might do it on a budget:


TIRES:

These are going to be one of your biggest expenses. Cool down laps are your friend. Hot tires chunk and wear faster. Depending on the track and how the tires feel, I do 2-4 hard laps, then 1-2 cool down laps, then hard laps again. Finish the session with a cool down lap on the checkered flag.

Heat and pressure go hand in hand. Keep the pressure below about 36-38psi then manage the heat with cool down laps.

Dive bombing into corners with your tires on fire seems like that's how you get fast times, but you are KILLING your front tires for less than a 10th of a second. This isn't a race. Find the line, nail your brake zones, hit your apex, be smooth etc. Dive bombing into corners doesn't net as much time as having the correct line.

200TW tires are fine, you don't need slicks. You might want to invest in a set of track wheels in a size that allows for a wider variety of tires. Nitto NT01, for example, are much cheaper than many 200TW weekend warrior tires out there, but sizes are limited. No, they won't be the fastest, but they wear great and are consistent. A set of CUP2's are $2100. They will last 3-6 track days. You can get a good set of APEX wheels for less, and a set of cheaper tires and recoup the cost of the rims within a year if you go enough. APEX also has a good replacement policy.

Give the front tires some negative camber. Factory setup will wear the outer edge of the tires prematurely. Our G8Xs can kill a set or tires in one track day if you don't manage manage the heat or pressure and don't have enough negative camber.



BRAKE FLUID - Castro SRF is $60 on Amazon and will last a season or more. A bleeder kit is $40. $100 and some time for fluid!



INSURANCE - Look into season coverage instead of a day-by-day coverage. It can save you in the long run. If you autocross, I would skip insurance. The chances of you binning your car in an autocross is very low.



HOTELS - We sometimes rent an airbnb to save $. If you have to be in a hotel, use points! Look for the occasional promotions on points. When I buy a new set of tires, I look for those "Get 100k points if you spend $5k in 3 months" type deals. Just be sure to research good transfer rates. Hotel points value vs travel points value can vary.



HELMET - This will last you years and years. GForce makes decent helmets for the money. Snell and Bell make good entry level ones too. Don't shell out more than $500 on your first helmet. You're going to learn what you like and don't like about certain styles, materials, configurations etc. If anything, just borrow for the first few track days.