NORTH AMERICAN ROAD RACING
$1
$. 5
$1.5
$2
$2.5
$3
$3.5
$4
$4.5
$5
$5.5
$6
$6.5
$7
$7.5
$8
$8.5
$9
$9.5
$10
$10.5
20
1
3
B
UD
G
E
T
R
AN
G
E
(
M
IL
L
IO
N
D
OL
L
A
R
S)
OPEN-WHEEL
I
NDYCA
R
S
E
R
I
ES
20
1
3
ME
DI
AN
BUD
G
ET–
$5.
5
M
B
UD
G
E
T
RA
N
G
E
–
$
3.
5-
$
1
1
M
AL
M
S
P
1
20
1
3
M
E
DI
A
N
B
U
DG
E
T
–
$
5
M
B
UD
G
E
T
R
AN
G
E
–
$
3-
$
7
M
G
RA
N
D-A
M
CON
T
I
N
EN
TA
L
G
S
20
1
3
M
E
DI
A
N
B
UD
G
E
T
–
$
1
.
8
M
RA
N
G
E
–
$
1
.
5-
$2
.
5
M
G
R
A
ND-A
M
CO
N
TI
N
E
N
TA
L
ST
20
1
3
M
ED
I
A
N
BU
D
G
E
T
–
$
300
K
R
A
N
G
E–
$225
K-
$4
00
K
I
NDY
LI
G
H
TS
20
1
3
M
ED
I
A
N
B
UD
G
E
T
–
$
700
K
BU
D
G
E
T
RA
N
G
E
–
$
6
50
-$
850
K
P
R
O
M
A
Z
DA
20
1
3
M
E
DI
A
N
B
U
DG
E
T
–
$
40
0
K
B
UD
G
E
T
R
AN
G
E
–
$
375-
$
475
K
U
SF
20
00
20
1
3
M
ED
I
A
N
B
UD
G
E
T
–
$2
00
K
BU
D
G
E
T
RA
N
G
E
–
$
1
80
-$
30
0
K
AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES GRAND-AM ROAD RACING
$11
0
RACER ’s survey on the cost of fielding a single-car entry in a variety of professional road racing series works from an all-inclusive figure,
i.e., what most teams quote to run one car for a full season. Shown for each series is a median budget, plus an upper and lower figure.
A 2014 median “guesstimate” is included if calendars were available. We thank all the teams who helped us in compiling our data.
DRIVERS, START YOUR BUDGETS
A
L
M
S
P2
20
1
3
M
E
DI
A
N
B
UD
G
E
T
–
$
3. 75
M
B
UD
G
E
T
RA
N
G
E
–
$
3.
5-
$
5
M
20
14
EST.
M
E
DI
A
N
–
$
4.
5
M
20
1
4
EST.
M
E
D
I
AN
–
$2
M
20
14
EST.
M
ED
I
A
N
–
$7
M
20
1
4
EST.
M
E
D
I
AN
–
$
1
. 7
M
20
14
EST.
M
E
DI
A
N
–
$
3.
3
M
20
1
4
EST.
M
E
D
I
AN
–
$2
. 4
M
AL
M
S
GT
20
1
3
M
E
DI
AN
B
U
D
G
ET
–
$4
M
B
UD
G
E
T
R
AN
G
E
–
$
3
-$
7
M
A
L
M
S
GTC
20
1
3
M
ED
I
A
N
B
UD
G
E
T
–
$
1
.
2
M
B
UD
G
E
T
RA
N
G
E
–
$
1
.1-
$
1
.
5
M
P
C
20
1
3
M
E
D
I
AN
BU
D
G
E
T–
$
1
. 5
M
B
U
D
GE
T
R
A
NG
E
–
$
1
.
3-
$
2
.1
M
G
R
A
ND
-A
M
DAY
TO
N
A
P
R
OTOT
YP
E
20
1
3
M
ED
I
A
N
B
UD
G
E
T
–
$2
.
6
M
R
A
N
G
E
–
$2
.
2-
$
3.
5
M
G
R
AN
D-A
M
R
OL
E
X
GT
20
1
3
M
E
DI
AN
B
U
D
G
ET
–
$
1
. 8
M
R
AN
G
E
–
$
1
.
5-
$
2
. 5
M
GRAND-AM DAYTONA
PROTOTYPE
Operating a DP has proven to be
rather economical. An average of
$2.6 million for a single car is well
below ALMS P1 or P2, thanks to a
minimum of prototype technology,
and relatively simple, production-based engine architecture.
If there’s a somewhat hidden
aspect of the cost associated with
DPs, it’s the purchase price of a
competitive car. A new, Gen 3 DP
is almost $500,000 – similar to a
cost-capped, all-inclusive P2 chassis
– yet the DP still requires an engine
lease. An annual engine lease for
2014 will set teams back $350,000
or so. Used Gen 3 DPs trade hands
in the $400,000 range.
The current tire consumption
model for a DP season involves using
120 sets of Continentals at $2,600
per set, which multiplies to a budget
line item of just over $300k. Tire
costs are just part of the DP business
model, and beyond replacing steel
brake rotors and repairing the
inevitable bodywork damage, the car
isn’t a drain on financial resources.
One new cost is coming for 2014,
however, as the USCC mandates a
high-downforce update that’s
expected to cost $75,000 (or more)
as the series attempts to balance
performance between DP and P2.
Comprising GT Rolex and
ALMS GTC and FIA GT3 cars,
2014’s USCC GT Daytona
class will use mandatory
air restrictors, plus series-specified rear wings, in an
effort to balance performance.
To take on the P2s, DPs will be fitted
with high-downforce updates in 2014.
Gran
d
-Amm
e
di
a
Cam
d
en
Thra
sh
er