Nearing the end of 2012 I started inquiring about rental for the 2013 season. I've gotten a lot of information from a lot of different individuals, teams, etc with a range of price structures and cars. Matching up the offers, inquiries, prices, cars, sanctioning bodies, travel plans and a host of other variables with my available schedule and what I would actually want to drive takes some time!
In a nutshell, a car that is going to be more competitive (ie; with a proven race history or team prep history) is going to cost a bit more. And of course the old adage; you gotta pay to go faster - meaning renting a 400hp Mustang is usually going to cost more than a 120hp Miata. And higher sanctioned series like NASA or SCCA with stricter prep levels cost more than say a Lemon's or a Chumpcar seat. In addition, splitting an Enduro seat with any group is more economical as you can split the costs multiple ways; sometimes up to 5 drivers.
One thing I wanted to do was start early! Winter sucks. And I've only been on the track once since July 1st! So I looked hard at Feb/March alternatives including return trips to VIR (once in 2009) and Road Atlanta (once in 2012). Then a much closer opportunity opened up at Gateway that I pounced on involving a NASA prepped car by a friend of mine. After that another early opportunity for a 2-day Lemon's race was offered. I have never drove in Lemon's, but a friend of mine has a car that usually does very well - meaning they finish! So there's 2 early race weekends already in the plans. More details about each to come as things solidify.
March 23-24 - NASA Central Region - Gateway Motorsports Park in STL - PTE Miata rental
April 20-21 - 24hrs of Lemons - Gingerman Raceway in Michigan - 1986 Volvo 245
Details involved in preparing, choosing and competing in various wheel-2-wheel events mainly in the Midwest both in my previously owned 2006 Mitsubishi Evolution IX and other racecar rentals!
No comments:
Post a Comment