How has the economy affected your racing? Options

[mitchntx]

Just curious how many have scaled back, scaled back considerably or outright had to park your car because of the economy?

And along with that, how many have done any of the above, not based on actual events, but fear of something happening that would make curtailing your "fix" inevitable?

For me, my regional race schedule hasn't changed, but the TnT days and out of region events have been scratched. And not because of being laid off or anything, just burying my coffee cans in the backyard in case I do.

If I didn't have a great group of sponsors and wasn't able to trade instructing for registration, then the story would probably be differnet.

[StanIROCZ]

If I didn't have a great group of sponsors and wasn't able to trade instructing for registration, then the story would probably be differnet.

I was wondering how you NASA guys afford it. ~$250 per day, and so that means Sat, Sun, and maybe Friday practice = $500-750 per weekend, plus gas, repairs, expendables, damage? No way I could afford that even with a good economy.

I don't "race" so I really can't answer your question. But I still have ~80 feet of DOM sitting on the floor of my garage that might be enough "entertainment" for the year. And yes, I have the fear of getting laid off. It happened for 1 month.

[trackbird]

I'm starting to consider (super seriously consider) selling (or parting out) my car. I'm thinking of having a giant sale, unloading the stuff (parts, furnature, spares, some tools, etc) I can and downsizing to go back to school. I'm not sure how I'll get rid of my house without just filing bankruptcy, but since nobody wants to loan money anyway, it may not really hurt me that bad if I did.

My job is still pretty safe, I just hate it. So, I'm looking for ways to afford a pay cut. Maybe I'll go back to bartending or something and take some classes.

[JustinID]

My job appears to be safe for now, but my wife's is a little more up in the air. I was resigned to just skip autocrossing for this season completely, but I've got some leads on some inexpensive lightly used tires. The tires I have now have way too little grip left (19 days on V710s). If I can track down a couple more used tires and then a set of cheap 17x9.5 wheels, I should actually be able to put a full local season together. I won't spend anything on parts or mods, just need to get some fresher rubber than I have now.

Of course if my wife's job goes away, then it's all in the crapper and I will sit the season out. I'll just have to hike and bike for some cheaper recreation. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[codename Bil Doe]

Have the tax man reassess my property taxes (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) . It's tough pinching dollars and juggling what events to run. I'm working with another friend how we want to balance divisionals and a couple national tour events. Right now, I'm just looking for new tires and if I can run a couple local events. No bueno.

[CMC #37]

I'm playing it event by event, which is $350 for most weekends out in CMC West. Out of region events are pretty much out for me right now. I decided to make an investment in a pro detailing kit and will be doing that on the side to earn racing bucks, because my racing budget is pretty much not there right now!

[robz71lm7]

My car pretty much just sits in the garage and gets to me work on pretty days in the spring, summer, and fall lately. I've converted it back to a DD (racing seat and harness removed). My job is in the electric utility industry (the only thing more secure is the funeral business) so I'm pretty darned safe as far as work goes. However, being that the worst is yet to come I don't feel it would be a wise move to keep dumping money into the car at this point. I'm just saving it for a brighter time when I move up the ladder a little more. I've toyed with selling the car, but it's not worth it at this point unless someone offered me what I could've gotten before the economic melt-down. In the mean time I'm trying to stimulate the economy with 2nd ammendment purchases. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[mitchntx]

My job is in the electric utility industry (the only thing more secure is the funeral business) so I'm pretty darned safe as far as work goes.

Mine as well. However, with the downturn, electricity demand has dropped 10-15%. While we've had no lay-offs, there is a wage, bonus and hiring freeze till further notice.

[jensend]

As of the arrival of our new property tax bill and the increased costs for my son's tuition, my "09 track schedule has had to be scrapped! I'll likely do 1 or 2 Autox events to use up my old RA1s so they don't sit and turn to stone. Beyond that, I'll be lucky if I get to do a karting event with my sons at NJMP before year's end. Hoping some of the folks that generated tis mess have to sacrifice some of the things that make life fun for them too! End Rant! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif)

[AllZWay]

If I didn't have a great group of sponsors and wasn't able to trade instructing for registration, then the story would probably be differnet.

I was wondering how you NASA guys afford it. ~$250 per day, and so that means Sat, Sun, and maybe Friday practice = $500-750 per weekend, plus gas, repairs, expendables, damage? No way I could afford that even with a good economy.

Actually our events are about $300 for the weekend not each day, but still plenty expensive.

For me personally, I have just been saving where possible for the reality that something bad could happen. If it gets bad enough, the race car will get parked.

[Beach Cruiser]

I feel pretty secure with my job as well, I work for GE Energy, but we do have all the freezes in effect too. When my A6's wear out, I'll be back on the street tires for the rest of the year. Our club runs about 6 autox's per year and there is another club that's good for about 4 per year. I'm still wrenching on the car when I get chance and or some extra money laying around that the wife doesn't know about. (moving from FS to ESP). I'd like to do some HPDE's and some more track days, but there is a limit to the funds, Right now I'm investing most of my money in Mason Jars...

[StanIROCZ]

If I didn't have a great group of sponsors and wasn't able to trade instructing for registration, then the story would probably be differnet.

I was wondering how you NASA guys afford it. ~$250 per day, and so that means Sat, Sun, and maybe Friday practice = $500-750 per weekend, plus gas, repairs, expendables, damage? No way I could afford that even with a good economy.

Actually our events are about $300 for the weekend not each day, but still plenty expensive.

For me personally, I have just been saving where possible for the reality that something bad could happen. If it gets bad enough, the race car will get parked.

Ok, I just remember it being ~250-275 per day for HPDE or TT when I was a NASA member and they sent me the invites. I never went to one mostly because I can do HPDE's through other clubs for $150/day, and I'm perfectly happy with that.

[Teutonic Speedra...]

Between wedding, house, etc., I've scaled back a bit. When I first started in 2003 I used to do 18-20 days a year. Last year was I think 9 and this year I'm thinking between 8-12. I'm more concerned with gas prices. If they stay where they are I might try some long hauls to tracks I've never been to (Mid-Ohio and Mosport).

The economy is keeping me from dumping anymore money into the car (maybe a splitter, but most of that will be my time, very little money).

[T.O.Dillinder]

I wasn't going to wheel to wheel this year due to the ticker. But as mentioned before I have the go ahead for track days/HPDE type of events.
The job at Kerr (Orthodonist's and Hygeniost equipment) O.K. shameless plug, (Orascoptic, Surgical Acuity, and Demi brands) is secure. I am working overtime yet. It is an average of 3 hours a week.
The Hawk Motorsports is at a stand still. I have not made a sale since October. So I do not know how long I'll keep it up.
I got a $ 2,000 bonus check, so I am waiting for my tax return and I will be helping someone with a stimulus package of my own by buying a Z-28 or Trans-AM from them.
Will be looking for something I can DD and do HPDE with a couple of times this year.
So we are stable and doing OK.

[cccbock]

Just curious how many have scaled back, scaled back considerably or outright had to park your car because of the economy?

Not only parked it, but siphoned out the gas! Well not really, but thats how it feels.

Unfortunately, it appears it will be that way for awhile. I am now working part time for a racing buddy. My 2008 income was less than one-half what it was in 2007.

Luckily the house payment and groceries are manageable with the lower income, savings, and the wife's income. Everything else is paid for including the kids' college.... Thank goodness

This too shall pass.

bock

[rmackintosh]

This will be a cautious year......I "plan" the same number of races this year as in the past, but after being out of work for 4+ months last year......I could NOT swing that again....

COME ON 'OL ECONOMY........KNOCKINGONWOODLOUDLYNOW!!

[trackbird]

In the mean time I'm trying to stimulate the economy with 2nd ammendment purchases. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Me too Rob, me too. I've gathered up a pretty extensive collection of stuff lately, waaaaay more than I should have I'm sure.

[nape]

I've been pretty lucky to keep working lately. There's about 20% unemployment locally in my Union. I keep hoping the government keeps giving tax credits to green energy, as there are a lot of wind farms on horizon waiting to break loose.

I worked a lot of overtime last year, so my reserves are pretty good. I'm hoping to race a whole season if the car doesn't break too many things. Luckily, I bought most of the upgrade parts last year and now I just need to get some warm weather to work on the car and make them fit.

[GaryK]

I haven't roadraced since '06. I've been saving some money and 'investing' in some other things. The bug has been biting me and rather than go roadracing, I decided to do some autocrossing this year. Started out looking to buy a C5 Z06 because they're getting so damn cheap, but ended up going for what I think is the biggest bang for the buck in a rwd v8 car...another Camaro. I'll still have at most 1/3 the cost of the vette into this thing, and I just sold a more expensive car anyway. I hope I can keep myself entertained with mostly local events, because if I'm gonna trailer a car all over the east coast I might as well be going to the track.

I'm getting worried about losing my job now. My company is already doing furloughs and shutdowns at three of their plants. I'm not a factory worker, but my job is at risk if money gets tight. Already got hit in a layoff at this company several years ago. I've had some work to fall back on up until lately, as business is bad for everybody around here right now.

[rhit_rs]

Being in college right now seems to be a good thing. I'm graduating in May and going to grad school in the fall. Most of my friends are having a hard time finding full time jobs. Racing-wise, I'll be doing the normal auto-xing this spring thanks to the income tax return I'll be getting, and this summer will by covered by an internship. The number of track days I do will depend on what kind of funding I get for grad school. Thankfully the company I interned at last summer picked me up again this summer. Several companies that normally hire interns in the area are on a hiring freeze. Caterpillar actually retracted a bunch of intern and full time job offers several months after the people had accepted them. Ouch, right! They gave the full time offers that they backed out on $1000 for their troubles, but completely stiffed the interns. My school normally has a 95%+ placement rate...I'm curious to find out what it will be this year.