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Wondering... how do racing families finance it?
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Posted by: zio---------------------

Zia and I were talking this morning at the breakfast table about how cool it would be to be a racing family. My son & I were reading our dirtbike mags over biscuits & juice, & we thought "Geeze, what if he wants to race... how will we pay for it?"

So what do families do? I figure the serious ones, at least from what I've gathered, take Thursday to prep, Friday to travel, Saturday for practice, & Sunday to race. That leaves dad (and mom?) Monday thru Wednesday to work. Is that right? How on earth do regular middle class families race?

I don't want to ask in depth, personal finance questions (well, I do but I don't think it's polite). But we're really wondering. I know how much I make, and it's still a struggle to stick to our budget. There's no way we could afford racing each weekend. And I'm not what I'd consider poor. I make enough to own a home & support my family on one income so zia can be a stay at home mom.

What am I missing? A fat trust account from dead Uncle Bill (who never had children with his "life partner" so he left his millions to the nieces & nephews)?

Posted by: Old CR goat---------------------

Well, my boys don't make it every weekend, Dad don't race, no fancy motorhomes/20 ft. enclosed trailor.

I think some knock over a quickstop or two on the way home after the race, what ever it takes to finance next week.

Posted by: 2001yz250---------------------

Most of the young racers I've seen were sponsored by grandma and grandpa.

Posted by: zio---------------------

I wasn't even thinking about the expensive rigs... that takes it to a whole new level. I was thinking a big SUV towing a bike trailer. Still, it mus cost bundles with entry fees, tires, gas, other maintenance parts, etc. Plus just the days spend travelling and not working.

I'll tell my dad to start working harder. I better check to see if his life insurance is paid up, too

Posted by: oldguy---------------------

Thekid is pretty into racing but we make it a family outing. I work as much overtime as I can and he makes up the work at home I miss. We camp at the races to Save money. Now the hard part- since finances don't allow evry weekend Sat and Sun racing we sit down and pick the tracks he likes or really wants to try then schedule them. Occasonally if 2 races are close by we will make Sat and Sunday but it is not often. He is at a distinct disadvantage with the kids that are at every race as far as points but he knows the facts of cost. Sometimes repairs will cause a missed race (next weekend we are skipping a Sat race due to needing a new clutch hub and basket but will go to a close by track for Sunday instead)
We also emphasized to him that he needs to help out with any equipment he needs. He has done this by soliciting sponsors and earning what he can by babysitting or working for neighbors.
The experience is great but keep in mind that at tis stage it is for fun and don't get drawn in to deep chasing a championship that means little to anyone else.

Posted by: 94ruck---------------------

We (my 12 yr old and I ) race motocross and Hare Scrambles locally on a modest budget and bargain hunt at every opprtunity. We bought a nice toybox camper (cheeaap!) and we work our butts off to go racing. mom also works so we can go. but we try to stay away from the bigger races at this time. my son is fast but still needs to improve before we start doing the amatuer national stuff.

Posted by: super rat---------------------

It takes a huge commitment both time wise and financially just to do a local series. I'm freinds with a family who races with two little guys and they get the kids to the races every weekend and I don't know how they afford it. Their Pop is a blue collar guy who can't turn a wrench and can't ride so I help with the wrenching and coaching the kids. The kids are not very good but they love to ride and race so I think it is worth all of the effort and I think racing teaches the kids alot of good things. A family that races together stays together

Posted by: mudratsdad---------------------

You see al kinds at the races. Cost all depends on what you want or feel you need. Yea there are many people driving 40 Motor homes pulling 12 foot trailers. But most people buy a bike every year or other, do their own mantenanceand take it race by race. The races for many become a family trip meeting other families and make it an outing. It seems that most are double income families with a second job for one or the other on the side. It is amazing how much you can get from donating blood plasma!!!!! But it is what the kids want to do, so you do what you can.

Posted by: Mx Dude---------------------

When I first started racing it was decided that it would be a family type event, and that the whole family would go to the races, and everyone would get involved. This reasoning must have made it easier to justify spending the money. Nevertheless, only raced when it was within the budget, and only raced the local events. Had to remember that racing was a hobby. Didn't have to have the newest clothes, trickest bike, or biggest motorhome (we drove a pickup to the races), just the necessities. And my parents always made me contribute to the racing fund, even when I was too young to get a real job.

Be realistic about what you want to get out of racing and what it will take to get there. MOST of the time we all seem to have just enough to do it (race) :D

Posted by: Skid Jackson---------------------

Send the kid to golf school!! Never mind what tiger woods is getting. Look at what the guys down at the bottom of the pack get!! Not a bad way to make a living. Not to maention easier on the body and the career could last 40 to 50 years!! Plus if the kid turns out good he'll get a free college education!! haven't heard of anyone getting a college scholarship for MX racing yet!! I wish a gave golf a shot back in the day!!

Seriously tho, don't spend your retirement on the kids racing. spend it on your grandsons racing. Racing anything is expensive!!

Posted by: motohead00---------------------

Growing up, I mostly only got to do local races or trials events. Now that I am older with my own job (still no family of my own) and can afford to race anywhere within reason, it is my work schedule that keeps me from it. Seems like there is always some kind of trade off.

Posted by: 2001yz250---------------------

I think racing is cheaper than golf. By the time I break every club in the bag, lose a sleeve of balls, high blood pressure medicine, several gallons of beer, cart repair expenses, then comes the BACK NINE!!

Posted by: Skid Jackson---------------------

Quote:

Originally posted by 2001yz250
I think racing is cheaper than golf. By the time I break every club in the bag, lose a sleeve of balls, high blood pressure medicine, several gallons of beer, cart repair expenses, then comes the BACK NINE!!

hmmmm very true!!

Posted by: Mxrracer973---------------------

Racing isnt easy especially when your by your self like myself , I am about a top 8 novice rider and have been racing since I was 14 ,now im 16 and if it wouldnt had been for all of my freinds taking me out to the track and going to practice i would basically be nowhere and If I had gotten full support from my parents I would say i would be an easy top 5 intermediate rider but do to my lack of money and transportaton and sponsers I cant ride like I want to , So to all the kids out there respect the fact that you have alot of support and go out and give it your 110 % and be happy becuase you could be in my situation.

Posted by: ktmdad---------------------

It's rough and I know that we can't afford to race three times a weekend. Luckily our district most only has one race per weekend. Occassionally there's a Friday night SX. I take care of the maintenance on the bikes and have a pretty good size list of places we I can get parts at a discount.

My son has taken care of the riding side of it and as a result does pretty well with getting sponsorship. This really helps out on the cost of gear and maintenance products (ie oils, tire, etc....).

We also budget for the larger races early in the season so that it's not a rush to come up with the money a week before the race. We also limit the classes that he'll run at a national event to those that he's competitive in.

Have seen some kids racing all the 50, 65 and 85 classes that they're eligible for. But no way could we afford to keep three bikes running.

It's basically comes down to the point that if there's a will, there's a way. Just stay away from keeping up with the Jones's.

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Wondering... how do racing families finance it?

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