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Competing in motorsports doesn't have to be an expensive hobby. Here are the cheapest ways to get in on the action.
Chances are if you're browsing through this website, you'd also consider yourself a car enthusiast. The sounds of roaring engines, the smell of burning tires, and the violence of speed entice you to pieces of metal and glass you call a way of life. So how does one get to experience the violent, loud, and brash side of cars? Racing of course. Unfortunately, most of us can't afford a Ford GT40 or have the skill to handle a high horsepower F1 car. Sometimes it seems as though the bar of entry for motorsports is far too high.
Thankfully, enough everyday car enthusiasts have decided to find ways to compete against each other without having to win a Powerball first. It should be stated that anything involving an actual automobile won't be cheap, with the costs of gas, maintenance, wear and tear, and the actual price of the car itself to be considered. A lot of tracks and clubs have membership and entry fees as well, so nothing comes without a cost. That said, some are far more affordable than others. There's a reason NASCAR teams need sponsors and autocross drivers don't. Luckily there is a variety of ways to join depending on budget, interest level, and time commitment.
From the pit lanes of the drag strip to the comfort of your own couch, here are eight affordable and easy ways to get into motorsports!
Related: 10 Things We're Excited About In Motorsports In 2022
By far the easiest and most affordable entry on this list, sim racing allows you to experience motorsports from the comfort of your home. Racing games have been around as long as video games have been, but took off in the 1990s with the Gran Turismo and Need For Speed franchises, with the former inventing realistic simulation-style racing games.
The cost of entry really depends on what you're looking for. A basic setup with just a controller and console can cost less than $200 depending on what system you buy. More advanced setups with a steering wheel, shifter, and peddle can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,000. Skill-wise it depends on the game and console setup. Games from simulation franchises like Forza Motorsport, Gran Turismo, and Asetto Corsa are fairly difficult and require some time to get comfortable with the controls. Need For Speed and Burnout are popular in the arcade genre, taking little to no practice to play.
Like simulation racing, Go-Karts are what you make it. To most people, a go-kart is a little metal chassis powered by a 5-horsepower lawnmower engine and used for tourist attractions and birthday parties. Nothing wrong with that, they provide a cheap and easy way to experience a bit of racing for yourself. Karting really shines in the competitive leagues though, with the little karts making up to 50 horsepower at times. Most F1, WEC, and NASCAR drivers start out in professional karting.
Karting can fit a variety of budgets, with an all-day pass to a recreational track costing no more than $50. Professional grade go-karts can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000. Racing gear like a DOT-grade helmet, flame-retardant suit, and gloves add another $500+ to the cost. There's no getting around safety in racing, you must be willing to spend the money on the proper equipment.
Related: 19 Pictures Of Go-Karts We Wouldn't Touch With A Ten-Foot Pole
Now, the entry price and skill level are beginning to step up. The goal of a time attack is to beat your own lap times, and your competition's lap times. Only your car takes the track, so there's no risk of getting in an accident with another driver. Time attack racing will give you what you put into it, with many just using their daily drivers.
Costs include the fees to enter the track, gas, and some may require a fee to join their club. Depending on your local track's rules and your car's standard safety features you may have to invest in safety gear as well. Oh, and the cost of your actual vehicle and any modifications you do. Though by the time you're done you may have a pretty expensive build, a time attack allows you to slowly build as your budget and schedule allow.
Don't feel like racing on your own? Or maybe you aren't willing to spend money on car modifications but still want to race on a road course? Then track days are perfect for you. Tracks put on track days for enthusiasts to come in whatever car they please, ranging from garage-built pocket rockets to six-figure exotics.
Again, expect to pay gate fees and account for the cost of safety equipment, usually just a helmet and long pants. There is more risk involved with more cars on the track, so watch your surroundings and pay attention to signals from the track staff to prevent any accidents. There are plenty of staff and enthusiasts to ensure you have a good first race, so come in with a good attitude and open ears. There's also a slew of resources online to tell you what you need to bring and what you need to know.
Related: 10 Surprisingly Affordable Track Day Cars
Fun N' Grudge is a similar concept to track day, but for a drag strip. Drag racing takes a fair bit of skill and practice contrary to popular belief. Knowing how to do proper burnouts, how to read the tree, and making proper shifts are all vital and somewhat difficult aspects to drag racing. Thankfully, most drag strips have plenty of staff to instruct you. Chances are the pits are full of seasoned veterans willing to give some advice or a helping hand, you just have to ask.
The gate fee and tech inspection are the two main costs of a Fun N' Grudge event, but usually don't cost more than $100. Check your local tracks rules and regulations before you go though, depending on your car's performance you may have to wear certain safety gear or even install a roll cage. Don't let this scare you though, this is the cheapest way to legally drag race. Stay off the streets and invest in your local quarter-mile, you won't regret it.
Autocross is a bit different from any other kind of racing in that it doesn't occur at a track. Autocross can be held anywhere from empty parking lots, abandoned airfields, or even off-road, but the goal remains the same. The course is laid out in cones, and whoever can navigate the cones the fastest wins. Hitting cones typically adds a penalty to your total time, so it's best to avoid them. Autocross is extremely safe due to the typically low speeds and lack of other opponents to crash into.
Some basic safety equipotent may be required, along with SCCA membership fees, and upkeeping feeds depending on whose holding the event and where it is held. Another unique part about autocross is that the staff are also the participants. When you come to autocross you're not only racing, but setting up cones, running the stopwatch, and keeping the area clean. This keeps costs low and provides some community that other races don't have. Related: Watch This LS7-Swapped Datsun 240Z Shred An Autocross Course
There isn't just one specific Gambler 500 Rally, but a few throughout the United States and Canada. The basic premise is that contestants are to use cheap cars (preferably under $500) and trek through the wilderness, picking up trash along the way. Contestants bring anything from lifted Miatas, limos on monster-truck tires, and ratty muscle cars. The goal isn't winning either, just making it across and picking up trash.
How much you spend on the car is up to you, and tack on the $40 gate fee if you go to the Oregon Rally, and you're good to go! The Gambler 500 community is open to anyone starting their own race as long as you keep it free and pick up trash; so you could actually start your own event on a budget.
Want to make your Ford V Ferrari dreams come true? The 24 Hour Of Lemons is for you! The 24 Hours Of Lemons pits contestants against each other in $500 cars for two 8-hour racing sessions. Judges will check your car, modifications, and paperwork to make sure no more than $500 was spent on the car (exception given to safety equipment). Winners can expect a payout in the form of change.
If this seems miserable and stupid...that's the point. It's the cheapest way to get a track time and have a laugh while doing it. There are races at tracks throughout the country, so find one that fits your schedule and get to building!
Nathan Lowman is a lifelong fan of all things car, particularly American muscle and drag racing. Nathan was born and raised in a family full of mechanics and engineers, so it was only natural he would love cars too. When not writing or at the drag strip he can be found playing bass with his garage band.