Speed Event Series - costs for running a whole season?

[tinto]

http://www.speedeventseries.com/

I'd like to take part in the full series next year - hopefully I'll get along to the hillclimb in Sept.

To help with some budgeting... I have some questions :)

1) To those that have done a full season - what did it cost you in entry fees?
That seems to fluctuate from event to event / venue to venue, and the older forms aren't on the site for me to check out.
I'd estimated about $1500 all up - is this about right?

2) While everyone will be different, what have you chewed through in tyres and other consumables for these events? eg how many sets of pads/tyres?
I've got my CAMS L2S, and the car is basically sorted for this sort of stuff (minus a few tweaks). But I'd like to know what I should stock up on.

3) What is the accommodation like for those rounds that are in Albany/Collie?
eg I can sleep pretty rough if I'm on my own - not so much if I'm with my wife and 18m old son :)

4) Do people tend to trailer/flatbed their cars down to those rounds that have a 2-4hr drive?
I know mine would make it there, but... who knows if it will make it back.

5) Any other hidden costs to consider?
(aside from putting your car into a wall)

[Darkside]

I had planned to do the whole season but a little mishap put an end to that, but I might be able to shine some light on your questions.

First up it is a great series with a real mix of cars and people who seem all very friendly and welcoming of new faces.

The entry fees do seem to vary in the region of $95 - $150. I havent paid much attention as I wanted to do particular rounds so just coughed up and never added up the total. Always a goiod approach in motorsport IMHO as total costs can be scary. :) If you added up the $ per minute in the drivers seat, it may not stack up all that well, but no different to any other sprint series tyoe events on offer. I really enjoy the variety.

Re consumables, if you started the series with fresh rubber and mainly just did the SES rounds, you would get a season out of one set of pads and tyres. (A little depoendent on car and driving style of course)

Collie you can camp at the track on the real cheap. (ie free) Or stay in town anywhere from $50-125 a night.
Albany you can take up any of the usual options from campsites at caravan parks at the cheap end to 5 star at the pointy end and everythign in between.

There certainly is a reasonable amount of trailering of cars, but it depends on how user friendly your car is. Mine is not so much fun to drive on the road long distances any more so I am trailering it. In the past I have driven it to events with no issues. If you came to grief at an event, there would be a good chance someone would find you a run home on a trailer. The trailer hire sure does add up.

No hidden costs I have come up against other than the ones you point out. (Going bush) All the extras of an away event have been covered. (trailer, accomodation etc.) Once your car is sorted it really is just enty fees and a bit of fuel and routine maintenance given you dont have a major failure.

Highly recommended series. I hope to have a crack at some more rounds next year.






http://www.speedeventseries.com/

I'd like to take part in the full series next year - hopefully I'll get along to the hillclimb in Sept.

To help with some budgeting... I have some questions :)

1) To those that have done a full season - what did it cost you in entry fees?
That seems to fluctuate from event to event / venue to venue, and the older forms aren't on the site for me to check out.
I'd estimated about $1500 all up - is this about right?

2) While everyone will be different, what have you chewed through in tyres and other consumables for these events? eg how many sets of pads/tyres?
I've got my CAMS L2S, and the car is basically sorted for this sort of stuff (minus a few tweaks). But I'd like to know what I should stock up on.

3) What is the accommodation like for those rounds that are in Albany/Collie?
eg I can sleep pretty rough if I'm on my own - not so much if I'm with my wife and 18m old son :)

4) Do people tend to trailer/flatbed their cars down to those rounds that have a 2-4hr drive?
I know mine would make it there, but... who knows if it will make it back.

5) Any other hidden costs to consider?
(aside from putting your car into a wall)

[RK 86 WA]

Nicely summed up Blaise.

1500~ for the 13 rounds assuming you will get to all of them.

Remember its sprints so you won't smash too may consumables, maybe one to two sets of tires pending on how you drive and similar with pads. Also take into account how often you service the car.

There have been a few prangs which have left cars in very sorry states so just don't push 100% all the time if you aren't familiar with the circuits (after it will be the first of many a season with the series im guessing :) )

We generally stay the weekend every time we go away and go accom on the cheap, ranges from 100-130$ a night split between your friends/family. They do offer discounts to series competitors at certain venues so keep an eye out on the website for details.

If you have a set of road tires, we just drive down the day before, do our swap and sit back and relax. A lot of people do trailer their cars down however I guess this is more to the point of if it is road car orientation and it can be driven down.

No hidden costs :) the only thing i suggest if you are going to do the season is to become a registered competitor, it was 45$ this year and it helps the series as well as enables you to join the points system.



On another note, Collie hill climb is a few weeks away :)

Ryan

[monk_13]

+1 for being keen to enter.

Hopefully dates will coincide with my breaks from work. Just gotta get my CAMS license again.

Anyone know any affiliated clubs that actually return emails? NoLimits (over trying to get my membership cards from them) and AllFours don't seem to keen on getting back to me at all, when enquiring about membership.

[DISTRBD]

On another note, Collie hill climb is a few weeks away :)

Ryan

I be there running the 33 .

[RK 86 WA]

See you there :)

[180SXTCY]

yep im keen to have a thrash around the track also in the 15 when shes done :D

[evlgurl]

I've heard good things about the speed event series & actually have a friend encouraging me about it.

I don't know much about any of your questions apart from the accomodation in Albany. It is always best to book as early as you can.
A) It's on a long weeknd
B) The 'Round the houses' is on the same weekend, so accomodation goes rather quickly if you were after something in particular.

[RK 86 WA]

Its good when you have friends with holiday houses in Albany heh.

From my understanding they are dropping the VSCC for next years Albany rounds and therefore dropping the 45 registered member limitation.

I can't wait to give Albany a run :)

[FranZ]

+1 for being keen to enter.

Hopefully dates will coincide with my breaks from work. Just gotta get my CAMS license again.

Anyone know any affiliated clubs that actually return emails? NoLimits (over trying to get my membership cards from them) and AllFours don't seem to keen on getting back to me at all, when enquiring about membership.

Re: AllFours, I haven't seen an email from you. Email committee@allfours.org.au or PM me.


The Speed Event Series is a great event that caters from beginners to more experienced drivers. Its the most competitive series in the state and caters for the widest range of cars. I miss doing alot of their events.... I want to be at Meelup though... I've missed that for too many years!

[Butcher]

Thats cheaper than i thought seems to be pretty reasonable. Definitely going to do a series once i get my back fixed and back to work. Doubt id be too competitive in a N/A 200hp 1600kg barge but still should be fun.
Co driver necessary?

[RK 86 WA]

No co-driver

[bjohnson]

I've done a few random rounds of the series this year and it's been awesome fun!

The plan is to do the whole series next year (give Ryan a shake in 5A!).

One minor cost to look out for is the transponder hire at circuit events (collie & barbagallo) it's an extra $20 on top of your entry fee.

If you were going to do just one series during the year, it would be hard to go past the SES.

I'll probably miss the collie hillclimb but I'll be around for the rest of the season.

[djr81]

http://www.speedeventseries.com/

I'd like to take part in the full series next year - hopefully I'll get along to the hillclimb in Sept.

To help with some budgeting... I have some questions :)

1) To those that have done a full season - what did it cost you in entry fees?
That seems to fluctuate from event to event / venue to venue, and the older forms aren't on the site for me to check out.
I'd estimated about $1500 all up - is this about right?

2) While everyone will be different, what have you chewed through in tyres and other consumables for these events? eg how many sets of pads/tyres?
I've got my CAMS L2S, and the car is basically sorted for this sort of stuff (minus a few tweaks). But I'd like to know what I should stock up on.

3) What is the accommodation like for those rounds that are in Albany/Collie?
eg I can sleep pretty rough if I'm on my own - not so much if I'm with my wife and 18m old son :)

4) Do people tend to trailer/flatbed their cars down to those rounds that have a 2-4hr drive?
I know mine would make it there, but... who knows if it will make it back.

5) Any other hidden costs to consider?
(aside from putting your car into a wall)

Entry fees.
These are usually alittle over $100 a round - but it depends on which round. Some, like the Wanneroo ones, you get lunch included. Also not you have to pay for Dorian hire on sprint events (not on hillclimbs). This is usually $20. There are a dozen or so rounds. So call it $1500 for a complete season.

Tyres/brakes.
This is hugely dependent on what car you intend on running. I have seen tyres that come off the front end of a V8 that after one round and are almost good enough to use to keep your yacht away from the pier. On the other hand light weight cars like clubbies can get a years running out of R comps. Brake pads are the same. Fuel varies enormously too. Basically the heavier and more evil handling your car is the more you will spend.

Accomodation.
Collie is easy. Albany you need to get sorted well before hand.

Transport.
Look I drive mine the 300kms to Wanneroo without much of a drama. Drove it home too with three out of five gears working. Basically a trailer means you will always make it home. So if you have the choice & a trailer it is probably a good idea.

Other costs.
Mostly car maintenance. Oil changes, flogged bushes, replacement rotors, failed bits of whatever. Having said that well prepared cars suffer much less from this sort of nonsense. Also it depends on how hard you try.

Anyway the best advice is to have a go. There is plenty to learn if you haven't done much motorsport before. So why not start now?

[tinto]

Thanks guys - really great feedback.
Everyone who is in the series seems to enjoy it.

How many rounds are left this year?
I could only see Aug/Sep on the site.

[djr81]

Thanks guys - really great feedback.
Everyone who is in the series seems to enjoy it.

How many rounds are left this year?
I could only see Aug/Sep on the site.
The thing about the series is that it is both competitive & the entrants/organisers are always helpfull & encouraging of anyone wanting to have a go. Also it is very well organised.

There are five rounds left this year.

http://www.speedeventseries.com/calendar.html

Although I am not sure about first timers and Meelup.

[monk_13]

Re: AllFours, I haven't seen an email from you. Email committee@allfours.org.au or PM me.


PMed.