The hidden costs of Challenge competition.

Yeah my gas bill was over $700 a couple of years. Bringing friends helped defray the cost of the hotel. I usually arrived a day early adding to that hotel bill. I'm not much of a drinker but for some teams the beer budget might exceed the car build.

Really time is the big expense. Both in building the car and the logistics of getting to the event. I've been fortunate to have several friends help out in their various areas of expertise. But we are essentially a two-man team at the core. Lucky for us we're not taking on a really ambitious build. Especially in light of the fact that neither of us has a whole lot of skill. LOL

Even though our ancillary crew is enjoying the build in the camaraderie and would like to attend, but can't afford to take the time off from their real-world lives. And although we only have a 600 Mile Drive and a fairly economical diesel tow vehicle will still spend about half what we have in our car build to enter and attend. Which should tell you how cheap were doing it. LOL

In any event it was on our bucket list. And I doubt I'll be on my deathbed worried about what I spent on the challenge.

SilverFleet wrote: It's quite the commitment, both time and money-wise, to build and field a Challenge entry. Unless you live nearby, of course. Our team is from New England. Most of us live in MA, and one of us lives in NH. Just to get down there, we need to take a week off from work (and our families) to drag our entry or entries down, compete, and drag it back. That costs a ton in fuel and travel expenses alone. We split two hotel rooms, and usually arrive on Wednesday. Honestly, the best way to do the Challenge is to get a bunch of buddies and split the cost. Our team usually consists of 6 guys, and it makes things less daunting in the expenses department.

The cost of fuel for 2 vehicles, 2 hotels rooms, food and so on for the whole team is about the same cost of the challenge car.

I feel your pain. I went in 2012 and could not go back the next year despite major (no cost) improvements in car development. I was in for about $1400 for the round trip. Left Wed after work, 2 day tow arriving Thursday night and I left late on Saturday headed home to TX.

I really want to do it again its just tough to get down to that corner of the US.

It really is a fantastic experience. Tons of help from other teams when I first broke a shifter and second spun a (few) bearing(S) in the unknown motor. Definitely want to build another car and will plan to go again sometime.

mndsm wrote: If it makes you feel any better, I am two hours from gainesville and its extremely unlikely I will be there. Budgetary constraints and a lack of challenge car....

My butt. Get there, crash on someones floor, i'll get you back to orlando sunday morning

One year post challenge I think a cruise down Florida visiting sebring, Daytona and homestead then through the keys then on the way back up GRM HQ and palm Beach and the firm would make for an epic post challenge road trip.

The cost is a concern but the biggest thing Im worried about is breaking down. 5400 miles is a lot for a $500 car and while I have gone thru it and I picked a fairly simple car.....i would be lying if I said I was a master mechanic. This challenge car is the biggest car project I've taken on, it started as a father son project to help my dad thru some very very tough times, kinda got legs from there

This is why i havnt tryed. As much fun as it seems i know i could put a car together, but im sure gas, rooms and food would be more then i could handle. Id have too work the time i need off just too make up for it.

So ill just read the builds and enjoy the livestream when its up.

dropstep wrote: This is why i havnt tryed. As much fun as it seems i know i could put a car together, but im sure gas, rooms and food would be more then i could handle. Id have too work the time i need off just too make up for it. So ill just read the builds and enjoy the livestream when its up.

I always wanted to go. Since 1999. In 2005 i tried, 2006 i tried, 2007 i tried, same 08-10. Something always happened. One car had crash damage when i pulled it apart to swap trans. One lost an oil pan seal and ate a rod bearing after i got it done so i dumped it(mistake) then a couple got axed when my wife got pregnant. Finally made it last year, don't plan on missing it anytime soon. Back in the earlier years i'd have been crashing on someone's floor. This year the kids are coming to the track, excited to see their reactions to the cars

Okay, maybe this is kind of crazy, but cost to compete seems to be kind of a wide spread problem. What if you had like eight teams in like a 100 mile radius of say Columbus Ohio that want to compete but don't like the money commitment. Why not go in together and get a car hauler? Split eight ways would be cheap I bet. Pack your tools and gear in the gear and ship it. Then you could either fly down or several guys could get together and get a van. Just a thought.

dropstep wrote: This is why i havnt tryed. As much fun as it seems i know i could put a car together, but im sure gas, rooms and food would be more then i could handle. Id have too work the time i need off just too make up for it. So ill just read the builds and enjoy the livestream when its up.

If you don't mind sharing a room with teammates, that spreads the cost out A LOT.

Or even sharing a room with another competitor.

Last year I drove down and back with no issues and left the wi/il border wensday morning and drove though with one stop for a few hours sleep in the car. Showed up thursday afternoon and I would say both trips that I did to the challange cost less then a grand with hotal, gas and hitting a couple of things on thecway home to see. This year I cant go cause irs decided to aduit my taxes and that ate my new car fund. I can not bring the subby back cause the subframe will not stand up to the racing much less the trip...sigh....