cheap starter class

[e_lunatic]

I'm young and on a budget, what's the best class to start racing from scratch? 5-1600? 1/2-1600? others? thanx

[ACID_RAIN28]

There is no such "cheap" class in off road. class 9, bone stock truck classes, score lights, etc will be the least expensive to run i belive.

[TimHayosh]

[JeepSpeed propaganda mode on]

Although class 9 is probably the cheapest to get started in, you could probably get into used JeepSpeed for about $10k. JeepSpeed has double payback too.

Estimated vehicle buy-in:
Class 9 $6000
Class 5-1600 $8000
JeepSpeed $10,000

Visit www.jeepspeed.com (http://www.jeepspeed.com) for rulebook and payback info.

[/JeepSpeed propaganda mode off]

[highonthai]

Lunatic,
The car is just the first expence whatever class you go with.
Then you have a minimum of ten spare tires and wheels,($)Boxes of spare parts($$), Trailer($), trucks($), Friends (priceless), it never ends! Its a drug! and when you get this monkey on your back it a hard one to shake off.
I was one of those new guys that tought I could do it cheaper,NOT!!
You got to really want it, if you do you'll find the money......
And by the way I have a class nine chassis for sale, Cheap.
Good luck, hope to see you out there.

[KitRacer]

I bought my class 9 for $4000, and like what has already been said, thats only the beginning. Expect to spend somewhere between $500 and $2000 every race, about $2 a mile. Here are some big hits in the wallet for a race

entry fee $300-$1200
tranny $1000-$2500
fuel $50-$250
rooms, fuel, and board for the weekend $50-$500
and don't forget about prerun expenses, sometimes you prerun the weekend before so double most of that and add in the purchase of a prerunner.

Then theres 1/2 1600, I bought mine for $12,000. And don't let anyone fool you, its expensive to race. I won over $23,000 with it last year, but spent close to $30,000 racing it. It costs about $5 a mile to race well prepped in 1/2 1600.

Check This Car Out (http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=2&md=second&id=7594)

[UndercoverFab]

build a pre runner and worry about having fun on the weekends with your friends and getting seat time, not worrying about thrashing to get the car prepped and having the cash to run at the next race, when you have some extra funds and alot of seat time go run 1450. its the cheapest option i can think of and probably the most fun for your situation.

[Rory]

I agree, I can't afford to race so I built a very nice 4 seat prerunner to have fun in. You can build one up slowly and put the good parts on as you go. I am a much better driver than I was when I first started and I thought I was the SH%$ until I started learning that slower is sometimes faster. Once you get to understand what your car can do and what you can do, maybe than it's time to get out and go racing. Who knowns, maybe one of these days I'll be out there racing too! Good luck, use your head, but put a helmet on it!!

[e_lunatic]

thanx for all the info. i've been in the sport since b4 i can remember and i know it takes alot of $$$. was thinking more along the lines of a few races a year. would prefer to be a hired gun and help someone with entry fee ,food,parts, ect. in exchange for seat time,but what are the odds of that? i think i'd have a better chance of being a #1 pick in the NFL draft. thought maybe 9 or 5-16 would be cheapER but maybe pre-runner class is the key for now. i have lots of time to think since i want to finish school b4 i really get started. thanx for all the help and i hope to hear more ideas.

[highonthai]

Good idea to hook up with some team, Everybodys always looking for help. if you prove yourself, and in time you can stat by getting a right seat ride and go from there.
Or you can by some frame and peice your car together slowly. Eveyone in this sport is always willing to help new people. Many have helped me.
Email us if you would like to come out sometime and give us a hand.
Scott

[lcreig]

Last year I purchased a used class 9 and ran 4 short course and three desert races (VORRA). The cost of the car was $6100.00. I did all the prep work except the trans rebuild mid season. The cost for the season with entry fees, parts and travel was about $5000.00. With two desert wins, sponser money ($2560.00) and selling the car with a blown motor for $5000 my season cost was $3540.00.
I sure this in an exception to the rule but it can be done. I had a great time and met alot of good people in class 9 but now I'm moving to JeepSpeed. I an able to do all the fab work so that saves a ton of money and I am a great scrounge. With John at Ajax Auto's help I will have less than $8000.00 in the Jeep and the prep cost to race will be about the same. My travel cost will be higher but the return could be higher as well. The great thing about the JeepSpeed is I can drive it on the street and not just keep it in the shop between races.
I hope this information helps a bit.

[TimHayosh]

Lee, are you building for Stock class or Pro? When do you estimate you'll make your first race.

Welcome aboard!!!

[lcreig]

Currently building a stock class. I have everything I need to finish it except time. I started a new job as Fire Marshal here in Fernley, NV and I spend alot of time in class. My plan is to race in Yerington, NV with VORRA Memorial Day weekend then head south and try running with MDR. I'll keep you posted on how it is going.