"Great Depression 2009." Is it affecting your track days?

TexRex2002 · 12-30-2008, 07:35 PM

Luckily I am pretty unaffected by the downturn, but I am still cutting back my track days just to stuff more money in the bank (never know what might happen).

Anyone else changing their priorities? If so to what? cash? gold? real estate???

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

JamesWilson2 · 12-30-2008, 09:06 PM

Family just took over much of the racing focus, as are cheap codrives instead of building a new car for the season. Longer oil changes, more laps + flipping tires before changing, fewer long-travel events. But that's with a job change with a 60% pay cut and a baby on the way

trhoppe · 12-30-2008, 10:55 PM

Club Racing is getting hurt. Entry fields suck and a lot of people are staying closer to home, so the competition some people hope for ain't there.

-Tom

boost junkie · 12-30-2008, 11:37 PM

Nope, my irresponsible spending will continue into 2009

In fact, I'm making the jump from HPDE to TT this year and hopefully on to wheel to wheel in 2010. Entry fees for TT are actually less than HPDE but to be competitive the tire budget will definitely increase.

TexRex2002 · 12-31-2008, 09:59 AM

awesome. Boost Junkie will spend us out of this... time to load up in my IRA

modaddict · 12-31-2008, 10:14 AM

Actually, this will be my first year in HPDE. Can't wait.

Im going backwards, huh?

joey1313 · 12-31-2008, 11:02 AM

I have more track days scheduled for this year.

delongedoug · 12-31-2008, 11:16 AM

I responded to this on EvoM already.

steverife · 12-31-2008, 11:23 AM

I took a pay cut and could very well be out of a job at some point (with little hope of finding something else), but I've skimmed ~ $500 off my monthly budget, so I expect to do about the same.

fliz · 12-31-2008, 11:33 AM

I don't do "track days", but I'm still spending on rally until I lose my job.

Like Hoppe said, the biggest thing is it's affecting total entries, which is going to jeopardize some of the events on the calendar. We lost one event last year due to too few entries, and could lose a couple more this year.

coolblue05 · 12-31-2008, 11:34 AM

I am planning on more events than ever for 2009... Can't wait....

Draken · 12-31-2008, 11:41 AM

Our local race club has cut entry fees in half, so I'm actually expecting to do as many, if not more events for 2009. And we should have more competition because of the lower prices...

Chris H.

Sharky NRK · 12-31-2008, 12:24 PM

I would like to attend more but cost are making it difficult - I think if I see some lowe cost fees I could afford the consumables

import111 · 12-31-2008, 03:14 PM

Health issues and my STi pushing coolant are the 2 reasons 2009 will be a slow year for me. Spent all my $ on health problems and now I need to get my car fixed and have no $ to do it. Gotta save $ and get my car fixed before I do any more track days.

tux121 · 12-31-2008, 03:28 PM

It's affecting all my credit cards. Rates flew up! I am pissed!

digitalseance · 12-31-2008, 03:31 PM

While I don't do track days, I do travel for autocrosses. Locally, they're all pretty close but I've been known to travel 3-5 states away to run an event if the site is good enough. I try not to carry balances on my credit cards, so no issues really there. I guess overall nothing is changing for me other than putting off a front LSD install until next year and going with big wheels/rubber for this year.

TexRex2002 · 01-01-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delongedoug

I responded to this on EvoM already.

I drove an Sti before getting an evo, and am (was) actually more active here than there. Hence the similar posts.

I'm hoping somone will spill some good beanson what to do with $$$

misterwaterfallin · 01-01-2009, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boost junkie

Nope, my irresponsible spending will continue into 2009

In fact, I'm making the jump from HPDE to TT this year and hopefully on to wheel to wheel in 2010. Entry fees for TT are actually less than HPDE but to be competitive the tire budget will definitely increase.

what do you plan to drive when you enter club racing?

irish44j · 01-01-2009, 09:08 PM

my 2008 track/autocross days were severely impacted by the birth of my daughter one year ago yesterday......

the economy is having no effect on me whatsoever, honestly. I work for a federal agency and all my investments are long-term in safe holdings. Of the 4 cars we own 3 are paid off, and I bought the subie with 50% down and will pay it off this year. Only other debt is our mortgage. No credit card balances, no lines of credit balances, no 2nd mortgages, etc etc...

Actually, the current economic situation is helping me. Interest rates are down so I am about to refinance my house. I'm saving about $150 a month on fuel costs compared to 6 months ago. I bought my subie 2 days on the lot for invoice. I bought my wife's new 4Runner for almost $5k under invoice. Can't complain.

My track days are constrained more by time than by money at this point.

chimchimm5 · 01-02-2009, 02:55 AM

I'll still be doing my track days... however it's clear that 2008 hit the track day groups hard.

My (instructor) friend's group cut back to 1 track day this year (2009)!!! He lost over $2k last year.

Economy sucks. I know who and what I blame for that.

Feffman · 01-04-2009, 11:47 AM

We (www.MVPTrackTime.com) have expanded our 2009 track event schedule to the East/Mid-Atlantic adding four new tracks. Our solid pricing and flexibility for track days/weekends bodes well for 2009.

Hope to see you at the track in 2009. Happy Motoring!

Feff

12-30-2008, 07:35 PM	#1
TexRex2002 Scooby Specialist Member#: 36303 Join Date: May 2003 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston Vehicle: 06 Evo IX silver	"Great Depression 2009." Is it affecting your track days? Luckily I am pretty unaffected by the downturn, but I am still cutting back my track days just to stuff more money in the bank (never know what might happen). Anyone else changing their priorities? If so to what? cash? gold? real estate??? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is it bump your own thread day...	allanak	Off-Topic	12	02-11-2009 05:29 PM
Cusco Tarmac Gear Anyone Using it for Autox/Track Days??	mrtrex	Motorsports	29	06-10-2008 08:12 AM
So, the gas prices, how is it affecting you?	HOPPFL	Off-Topic	87	07-21-2005 12:14 PM
So what is the plan with Track Day?	Chaincat	Bay Area Impreza Club Forum -- BAIC	33	09-28-2000 12:46 AM
my stock tire are by "stone", is it still safe?	gerardchau	General Forum Archive	10	09-11-2000 06:34 PM

12-30-2008, 09:06 PM	#2
JamesWilson2 ForumWars Winner! Member#: 196948 Join Date: Dec 2008 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston, TX Vehicle: 2012 WRX SWP TexasRallysport	Family just took over much of the racing focus, as are cheap codrives instead of building a new car for the season. Longer oil changes, more laps + flipping tires before changing, fewer long-travel events. But that's with a job change with a 60% pay cut and a baby on the way

12-30-2008, 10:55 PM	#3
trhoppe Scooby Guru Member#: 7492 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Hotlanta, GA Vehicle: No race cars www.tomhoppe.com	Club Racing is getting hurt. Entry fields suck and a lot of people are staying closer to home, so the competition some people hope for ain't there. -Tom

12-30-2008, 11:37 PM	#4
boost junkie Top Scoob 009 Member#: 68273 Join Date: Aug 2004 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Silver Spring, MD Vehicle: 2012 WRX GD Race Car in progress	Nope, my irresponsible spending will continue into 2009 In fact, I'm making the jump from HPDE to TT this year and hopefully on to wheel to wheel in 2010. Entry fees for TT are actually less than HPDE but to be competitive the tire budget will definitely increase.

12-31-2008, 09:59 AM	#5
TexRex2002 Scooby Specialist Member#: 36303 Join Date: May 2003 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston Vehicle: 06 Evo IX silver	awesome. Boost Junkie will spend us out of this... time to load up in my IRA

12-31-2008, 10:14 AM	#6
modaddict Scooby Guru Member#: 95840 Join Date: Sep 2005 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Pasco, WA Vehicle: sold to a good bud awaiting next car	Actually, this will be my first year in HPDE. Can't wait. Im going backwards, huh?

12-31-2008, 11:02 AM	#7
joey1313 Scooby Specialist Member#: 53839 Join Date: Jan 2004 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Cartersville, GA Vehicle: 2005 STi, 94 Miata R 06 S2K	I have more track days scheduled for this year.

12-31-2008, 11:16 AM	#8
delongedoug Scooby Specialist Member#: 124113 Join Date: Aug 2006 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: To infinity Vehicle: and beyond!	I responded to this on EvoM already.

12-31-2008, 11:23 AM	#9
steverife Scooby Newbie Member#: 96749 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Knoxville, TN	I took a pay cut and could very well be out of a job at some point (with little hope of finding something else), but I've skimmed ~ $500 off my monthly budget, so I expect to do about the same.

12-31-2008, 11:33 AM	#10
fliz Scooby Guru Member#: 30342 Join Date: Nov 2002	I don't do "track days", but I'm still spending on rally until I lose my job. Like Hoppe said, the biggest thing is it's affecting total entries, which is going to jeopardize some of the events on the calendar. We lost one event last year due to too few entries, and could lose a couple more this year.

12-31-2008, 11:34 AM	#11
coolblue05 NASIOC Supporter Member#: 39169 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: near Toledo, OH Vehicle: 2005 STi, s2000 Tuned Perfection	I am planning on more events than ever for 2009... Can't wait....

12-31-2008, 11:41 AM	#12
Draken NASIOC Supporter Member#: 16 Join Date: Jun 1999 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Chico, CA Vehicle: 1964 Autodynamics Formula Vee	Our local race club has cut entry fees in half, so I'm actually expecting to do as many, if not more events for 2009. And we should have more competition because of the lower prices... Chris H.

12-31-2008, 12:24 PM	#13
Sharky NRK Scooby Specialist Member#: 29549 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Terre Haute, IN Vehicle: 2003 WRX WRB	I would like to attend more but cost are making it difficult - I think if I see some lowe cost fees I could afford the consumables

12-31-2008, 03:14 PM	#14
import111 Scooby Specialist Member#: 24447 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Tucson, Arizona Vehicle: 2010 Evo GSR GG	Health issues and my STi pushing coolant are the 2 reasons 2009 will be a slow year for me. Spent all my $ on health problems and now I need to get my car fixed and have no $ to do it. Gotta save $ and get my car fixed before I do any more track days.

12-31-2008, 03:28 PM	#15
tux121 Scooby Specialist Member#: 162942 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MN Vehicle: 2006 STi Black&Gold Stage 2	It's affecting all my credit cards. Rates flew up! I am pissed!

12-31-2008, 03:31 PM	#16
digitalseance Scooby Specialist Member#: 104400 Join Date: Jan 2006 Chapter/Region: South East Location: SouthSide Jax, FL Vehicle: 169k mile race car Black	While I don't do track days, I do travel for autocrosses. Locally, they're all pretty close but I've been known to travel 3-5 states away to run an event if the site is good enough. I try not to carry balances on my credit cards, so no issues really there. I guess overall nothing is changing for me other than putting off a front LSD install until next year and going with big wheels/rubber for this year.

01-01-2009, 09:08 PM	#19
irish44j Scooby Specialist Member#: 191290 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Burke, VA Vehicle: 09 OPB SM WRXsedan 85 BMW E30 M2 Rallycrossr	my 2008 track/autocross days were severely impacted by the birth of my daughter one year ago yesterday...... the economy is having no effect on me whatsoever, honestly. I work for a federal agency and all my investments are long-term in safe holdings. Of the 4 cars we own 3 are paid off, and I bought the subie with 50% down and will pay it off this year. Only other debt is our mortgage. No credit card balances, no lines of credit balances, no 2nd mortgages, etc etc... Actually, the current economic situation is helping me. Interest rates are down so I am about to refinance my house. I'm saving about $150 a month on fuel costs compared to 6 months ago. I bought my subie 2 days on the lot for invoice. I bought my wife's new 4Runner for almost $5k under invoice. Can't complain. My track days are constrained more by time than by money at this point.

01-02-2009, 02:55 AM	#20
chimchimm5 Scooby Guru Member#: 88501 Join Date: Jun 2005 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: NorCal Vehicle: 2006 WRX Wagon CGM	I'll still be doing my track days... however it's clear that 2008 hit the track day groups hard. My (instructor) friend's group cut back to 1 track day this year (2009)!!! He lost over $2k last year. Economy sucks. I know who and what I blame for that.

01-04-2009, 11:47 AM	#21
Feffman Scooby Newbie Member#: 39669 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Gateway To The West	We (www.MVPTrackTime.com) have expanded our 2009 track event schedule to the East/Mid-Atlantic adding four new tracks. Our solid pricing and flexibility for track days/weekends bodes well for 2009. Hope to see you at the track in 2009. Happy Motoring! Feff