What's The Annual Cost of Tracking Your Mustang

[GTP]

I ran intermediate with NWSC there. What are the "RA sponsored events"?

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[VictorH]

Most of you guys forgot to mention gas. Was at VIR last week, Both local and on-track premium was over $5 per gallon, $5.10 local and $5.30 at the track.
I'm using around a half-tank per session, this was running $42-45 per session at the pump, multiply that times the number of sessions per day (at least 4 sometimes 5) and fuel consumption now-a-days is not trivial at all. Plus the gas for to and from the track.
This is pump at the track, to run one session.

 

[JScheier]

I agree with the majority of the responses and have had the same expenditures whether running a Boss 302 in time trials or a BMW wheel to wheel in GTS 2 and 3.

You also want to consider the tracks you are attending. High speed tracks (Road America, COTA) can be harder on consumables (Brake pads, rotors, fluids, tires) then more technical & lower speed tracks. Different track surfaces can also accelerate tire wear or shake expensive parts out of your car (Sebring).

Consumables can also be significantly higher due to driving style / driver quality. Someone abusing the brakes will spend more on pads and rotors. Someone who pushes through understeer or drifts through every corner will probably have higher tire expenditures.

Add more if you are competing (TT & W2W) vs. learning (HPDE). Being at the pointy end gets expensive.

As for modifications, I usually recommend that a total newbie run what they brung. Fresh brake fluid and other fluids and OEM tires.

My other recommendation is to have quality safety equipment (no $10 helmets) and, if at all possible, a way to make sure you are secure in your seat. Whether that is a harness bar and harnesses (not a fan of harnesses in non-fixed back seats, but I get it), a seatbelt lock that allows you to cinch it down, or a fixed back seat you can swap in for track days, being planted in your seat lets you focus on driving and feeling all that is going on around you.

 

[Bossdog]

My wife just asked me the same question. For the first 15 years of marriage she didn't want to know.
Pre Covid I estimated it was $1500 per weekend. Here is my breakdown today for a 2-day weekend event

Tow vehicle gas: $100 to $200 ( depending on destination) ( three hour drive for closest event, 9 hours most distant)
Mustang track gas $200 ($25 per session)
Trailer storage: $250 per track weekend ( ($750 per year)
2 nights hotel $300 to 400
Event registration: $500 to $700
Track insurance: $285
Brake pads & Rotors: $100
Tires: $300 to $400
Total : Low end = $2,035 High end = $2,535

I understand most don't have the trailer storage expense of $250 per weekend.

That does not include:
Motor oil
Diff fluid
Trans fluid
Brake fluid
Tire alignments

Plus, it took me $9,000 to get the GT PP2 track ready ( I have the spread sheet for that as well if anyone is interested but most of it is listed below in the description)

 

[Grintch]

My wife just asked me the same question. For the first 15 years of marriage she didn't want to know.
Pre Covid I estimated it was $1500 per weekend. Here is my breakdown today for a 2-day weekend event

Tow vehicle gas: $100 to $200 ( depending on destination) ( three hour drive for closest event, 9 hours most distant)
Mustang track gas $200 ($25 per session)
Trailer storage: $250 per track weekend ( ($750 per year)
2 nights hotel $300 to 400
Event registration: $500 to $700
Track insurance: $285
Brake pads & Rotors: $100
Tires: $300 to $400
Total : Low end = $2,035 High end = $2,535

I understand most don't have the trailer storage expense of $250 per weekend.

That does not include:
Motor oil
Diff fluid
Trans fluid
Brake fluid
Tire alignments

Plus, it took me $9,000 to get the GT PP2 track ready ( I have the spread sheet for that as well if anyone is interested but most of it is listed below in the description)

Yeah my initial though in seeing this tread is never let you wife see this or any track budget you put together. If she asks, distract her by asking how much she spends on shoes and clothes.

A related questions is how much did you spend for your Sports/Sporty Car? How much value do you get out of it if you never drive it hard? The track is the safest and best place to do that. Yes, it is expensive. But so are fast cars. And if you never drive your fast car fast, you wasted your money.

 

[TonyNJ]

I'm cheap as f@%ķ and only go once a year.

Gas to and from track $75
Gas at event $75
Tolls $30 (east coast )
Track event fee $600

Track insurance? Lol
Trailer? No fun, just more work.
Tires? They'll survive 1 event + 1yr street
Fluids? Gotta do that 1x a year anyway

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