LeMons cost question: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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June 12, 2008 1:44 p.m. confuZion3 Reader

I've been growing more and more interested in this LeMons racing. What does it ACTUALLY cost to build a LeMons car? I'm literally trying to build my 2008 challenge car for, you guessed it, $2008 in cash. I can recoup only $100 because I bought the car so cheap.

Now, with these LeMons cars, you are allowed $500.00, right? But there is more to it than just $500.00, right? I understand that safety equipment is not part of the build cost cap. So roll cages, helmets, hans (or is it haans) devices, fire suits, straps, fire extinguishers, harnesses, seats, etc. are not included, right? I love the concept (this keeps people from bringing grenade launchers to a knife fight), but I just want to understand the raw cost as seen by you, the participants.

How much do some of you who are doing this actually have invested in your cars? I'm just gauging the cost. I might be able to compete in an event if I can get the car I am looking at (old Volvos rock!).
June 12, 2008 1:55 p.m. John Brown SuperDork

We budgeted about $5500.00 before we knew we were eskrewed.
June 12, 2008 2:12 p.m. poopshovel Dork

If you're driving/building the car, it's pretty freakin' expensive, especially if you don't already have a firesuit and all the neccessary "I don't want to burn to death...not in this car anyway" accoutremants.

I broke it down earlier this year, and realized I'll be "crewing" instead of driving. I want to say that, broken up 5 ways, between the car, cage, tires, gas at the event, gas to and from the event, hotel, food, entry fees, racing license, transponder rental, (did I miss anything?) I'm thinking it was around $1,000/driver. Of course, if you want to skimp on safety or share a sweaty suit with your like-sized pals, I'm pretty sure you could cut that number in half.
June 12, 2008 2:16 p.m. confuZion3 Reader

Yeah, I'd rather be comfortable and safe. lol

That's kinda the info I was looking for. Maybe next year. Thanks guys!
June 12, 2008 3:06 p.m. Nashco Dork

IMO, if you're in it for the price point then you have to borrow safety gear (suits, helmet, seat, belts, etc.), build your own cage starting with a pre-bent kit if possible, get a car/chassis type that you know well, and get a car with cheap spare parts (or cheap parts cars). Some teams can build a "new" car and race for $500 each (for 6 drivers) including all fees, fuel, tires, etc. with good planning and borrowing gear, that's how much our Thunderhill Impreza buy-in was ($3000 total, 6 drivers). Other teams have quoted prices DOUBLE that amount or more depending on level of prep and safety gear. For "veteran" cars, once they're built if they are in ok shape after the race they are quite cheap to race. You still have all the race fees, tires, etc. but the price is very reasonable considering how many hours of wheel-to-wheel racing you get.

Bryce
June 12, 2008 7:24 p.m. RobL New Reader

We spent ~$4000 for our car. I donated a bunch of race gear (including a $900 race seat) that I had left over from various projects. Plus we have about 50 man days into it. There are items that if you are going wheel to wheel esp. with a trackfull of novices that I would not do without - good custom cage w/extra door bars, good seat, good harness, etc. We also reinforced a bunch of the bodywork against impacts.

BTW, don't I know you in real life? I'm Rob Leone, I autocross a lot in the Philly, Harrisburg, and NNJR areas. I used to drive a Spyder, but now I have a red Solstice in AS.
June 12, 2008 9:55 p.m. Jensenman SuperDork

So far my gang has $3350.00 in our car (I just went over the totals tonight). That does not include the race seat I loaned to the project, but it does include a JEG's 10 point cage, new harness, all new brakes and tires, used wheels, some reliability repairs and the entry fee. Each member is responsible for his/her own gear so that's not part of the total. One member scored a $650 Sparco suit that was worn once for $300, sweet!

Gas and munchies etc will be probably another $800-$1000. We are using a member's camper to save on hotel rooms.

The key to dirt cheap junk car racing is a dirt common car with dirt cheap parts. Like wheel cylinders for $10.00 apiece, or a new water pump for $29.00. Or a prebent rollcage for $400.00.
June 13, 2008 11:32 a.m. Nashco Dork

$400 for a cage? Sheesh! Our prebent cage for the Impreza was $270 shipped, but of course with the new cage requirements it would actually be about $350 shipped from the same place. We used safedrives.com and got the S&W weld-in, doesn't get much cheaper than that. For the Olds SCX we got one from Jegs direct (no shipping) and paid $130!!! Unfortunately, it was for a similar GM, no cage was exactly right for the SCX, so it took a bit more time than the Subie one did. Pre-bent cages make life sooooooo much easier for something quick and dirty like these LeMons cars.

To back up Jensenman's comment on cheap parts, it also works well if you need parts at the race...it's a lot easier to get a wheel bearing, hub, axle, strut, etc. for a common car like a Civic, Cavalier, etc. RIGHT NOW than it is for a 900, 740, 318, etc. In other words, avoid European cars with numbers for names.

Bryce
June 13, 2008 3:32 p.m. confuZion3 Reader

RobL wrote: We spent ~$4000 for our car. I donated a bunch of race gear (including a $900 race seat) that I had left over from various projects. Plus we have about 50 man days into it. There are items that if you are going wheel to wheel esp. with a trackfull of novices that I would not do without - good custom cage w/extra door bars, good seat, good harness, etc. We also reinforced a bunch of the bodywork against impacts.

BTW, don't I know you in real life? I'm Rob Leone, I autocross a lot in the Philly, Harrisburg, and NNJR areas. I used to drive a Spyder, but now I have a red Solstice in AS.
Ha! Yeah, I do know who you are! You enjoying that Solstice? I responded to your e-mail, by they way. I've been bringing that Miata with the tape racing stripes to ASCC events.