Thoughts... by me

Dear All,

I have realized that we have a very expensive hobby. I’m putting down $3K for a FC rotary engine + Drive line. I was walking through Best Buy today, and I came to the realization that I could buy a lot of things that people would consider luxury goods for the money I am putting down for the transplant. I’m not complaining about it, I just found myself thinking that my life would be completely different if I wasn’t into cars.

I would dress better, have a nicer place, etc. Interesting just an interesting revelation I had.

Nice things are meaningless if you cant chirp third through the esses on the way home from the store

The same can be said for many of life's luxuries. Do what makes you happy, so long as it doesn't bankrupt you.

I made a conscious decision a couple of years ago. Instead of spending a lot of money on really nice cars, I'd just have some decent cars but race them. I won't be able to take "nice stuff" with me, but I sure can take the memories of races, camaraderie and not having to obsess over stone chips with me to the old folks' home when I am sent there.

I still don't own a television. Instead, I'm now the Chief Time Trial Instructor for EMRA and I finished second in their time trial ST-4 class this year. In a Miata. With street tires. (Roger, I'm coming for you next year...)

In fact, I don't really spend money on anything else. It's pretty much the bike, EMRA time trials, and rent / food.

I understand where you are coming from.

I've found it's a very thin balance. I tell myself cars>than electronics, because electronics will NEVER appreciate, cars might. Eventually.

That's what people forget. In 5 years, maybe you sell that car for half what you have into it worst case. Or maybe even break even if you get lucky parting it out or something. Whereas every dollar that your hypothetical alternate self spends on video games or big TVs or clothes is essentially poured directly into the toilet. And that guy still has to buy a car to get to work, and since he doesn't know how to fix them, he probably spends twice as much as you would on a newer, more reliable car and then pays someone else a hundred bucks an hour to do all the maintenance. I figure in the long run, the gearhead version of yourself at least breaks even financially (not accounting for time), AND gets to have a lot more fun in the process.

yeah, I have a hard time justifying the TV, XBox + live subscription, plus Cable, phones, netflix, electricity, food, clothing. etc. Cars are more important...

What I spend in rent every month could easily fund my mustang restoration, or finish my race car, or start on my rally car, or just get a nice driver.

Money? A means to an end. And what end? I'm with ddavid on this one. A nice TV? Bah. Why watch the world go by when I can participate in it? A good suit? There's a nice one at the Thrift Store selling for pennies on the dollar of its original price, simply because it's last year's style. Hell, I'd be the best dressed guy at 90% of the marriages, funerals and job interviews I attend if I bought the thing. Yeah, even though I've switched to autocross from road racing, I've still pumped almost enough money into my heaps over the last five years to buy a Rolex..but doesn't a Timex tell time as well (I usually just look at the time display on my cellphone, anyway)?

WIthout motorsports, most of the best memories of my life would be missing. No telling the legend of Brian Redman to a new corner worker at the Mitty-without realizing the man himself was standing behind me, leaning on a pine tree and grinning like the Cheshire Cat (and spared me from embarassment by telling the new guy-a Porsche 944 owner-what it was really like to drive the 917). No laughing with Jim Fitzgerald about converting a Road Atlanta school car into a Firehawk Challenge racer overnight, so that the track publicists could brag about "Tom Cruise's Professional Racing Debut!!" No watching Sir Stirling Moss asking, "..may I please try that?" to a guy with an R/C off-road buggy. No "thank you" wave from Geoff Brabham and Price Cobb after I'd shown the blue flag to a Camel Lights car in front of them during qualifying. No fireworks wars in the infield, no stealing the leftover catering from the Mazda Motorsports tent in the middle of the night, no amorous action with some amazing women who actually cared about our sport, and a thousand other things.

The best of my corner worker memories are actually just me and the folks standing in the sun cracking jokes and quoting bad dialogue from "Grand Prix" as race cars do what they do.

And after I started actually driving? No first time through Drivers' School, realizing that I won't set the world on fire, but at least I can actually do this without going into a panic or hurting someone. No looking at the results and seeing that even though I only finished 9th, I spent less money than that guy, and that guy, and on down the standings. No "road trip" stories to tell about my and my crew (in the real sense, not the Hip-Hop one.. ) towing to Charlotte, to Roebling, etc., etc.

And not just the memories. "Normal" people treat me differently after they discover I'm a racer. There's an almost automatic level of respect (and even awe, from the ignorant fools that still buy into that "DEATH WISH" BMW E36) when I walk in the room. Even now that I autocross, people see the videos, watch the cars slide around, and wonder out loud, "..how do you do that?!?"

Sorry about the length of the post, and the "old guy" storytelling! To make a long story short..yes, it's expensive. But it has made me a much better person than I would have been otherwise. Better furniture/clothing/AV equipment/whatever wouldn't have.

And everything I've said pales in comparison to 4cylinderfury's comment..I never even mentioned how good it feels just to just take one of these machines in your hands, go out by yourself, and just do it.

Besides...motorsport is an equal opportunity obsession. Some of my racing buddies are rich guys, and have no problem letting me come over and watch Blu-ray movies on their HD TV...or take their expensive cars out. One of the women I slept with let me drive her Ferrari 308 once..

friedgreencorrado wrote: Money? A means to an end. And what end? I'm with ddavid on this one. A nice TV? Bah. Why watch the world go by when I can participate in it? A good suit? There's a nice one at the Thrift Store selling for pennies on the dollar of its original price, simply because it's last year's style. Hell, I'd be the best dressed guy at 90% of the marriages, funerals and job interviews I attend if I bought the thing. Yeah, even though I've switched to autocross from road racing, I've still pumped almost enough money into my heaps over the last five years to buy a Rolex..but doesn't a Timex tell time as well (I usually just look at the time display on my cellphone, anyway)? WIthout motorsports, most of the best memories of my life would be missing. No telling the legend of Brian Redman to a new corner worker at the Mitty-without realizing the man himself was standing behind me, leaning on a pine tree and grinning like the Cheshire Cat (and spared me from embarassment by telling the new guy-a Porsche 944 owner-what it was *really* like to drive the 917). No laughing with Jim Fitzgerald about converting a Road Atlanta school car into a Firehawk Challenge racer overnight, so that the track publicists could brag about "Tom Cruise's Professional Racing Debut!!" No watching Sir Stirling Moss asking, "..may I please try that?" to a guy with an R/C off-road buggy. No "thank you" wave from Geoff Brabham and Price Cobb after I'd shown the blue flag to a Camel Lights car in front of them during qualifying. No fireworks wars in the infield, no stealing the leftover catering from the Mazda Motorsports tent in the middle of the night, no amorous action with some amazing women who actually *cared* about our sport, and a thousand other things. The best of my corner worker memories are actually just me and the folks standing in the sun cracking jokes and quoting bad dialogue from "Grand Prix" as race cars do what they do. And after I started actually *driving*? No first time through Drivers' School, realizing that I won't set the world on fire, but at least I can actually *do* this without going into a panic or hurting someone. No looking at the results and seeing that even though I only finished 9th, I spent less money than *that* guy, and *that* guy, and on down the standings. No "road trip" stories to tell about my and my crew (in the *real* sense, not the Hip-Hop one.. ) towing to Charlotte, to Roebling, etc., etc. And not just the memories. "Normal" people treat me differently after they discover I'm a racer. There's an almost automatic level of respect (and even awe, from the ignorant fools that still buy into that "DEATH WISH" BMW E36) when I walk in the room. Even now that I autocross, people see the videos, watch the cars slide around, and wonder out loud, "..how do you do that?!?" Sorry about the length of the post, and the "old guy" storytelling! To make a long story short..yes, it's expensive. But it has made me a much better person than I would have been otherwise. Better furniture/clothing/AV equipment/whatever wouldn't have. And everything I've said pales in comparison to 4cylinderfury's comment..I never even mentioned how good it feels just to just take one of these machines in your hands, go out by yourself, and just *do* it. Besides...motorsport is an equal opportunity obsession. Some of my racing buddies are rich guys, and have no problem letting me come over and watch Blu-ray movies on their HD TV...or take their expensive cars out. One of the women I slept with let me drive her Ferrari 308 once..

You need to write a book. And send me a copy, the synopsis alone was worth the price of entry.

Also, that is possibly the single best reason EVER I have seen for why people do what they do.

What friedgreencorrado said!

I've been in school the last two years... I've spent just as much on cars and racing as I have on school in that same period. Over $10K anyways just co-driving (not including equipment)

friedgreencorrado, you need to write a book. I would buy it for sure.

The trouble is that all of us have spent too much money on cars so we can only afford friedgreencorrado's book once you can find it at the thrift store.

My way of looking at this is - there is no point in being the richest man in the graveyard, especially not if you've got there by not spending money on things you enjoy.

That said, my inner accountant tells me I need to reign in spending for a few years but that's mostly to attain another goal (once settled in the US and with a reasonable perspective regarding work, I'd like to buy a decent house for my wife and myself - nothing fancy, but something we like). But that's because I'm saving up for another goal.

I'll still try to get my race license as that's something I wanted to do over here in the UK but didn't do because it would be pointless with the move to the US now looming quite large.

Nis14 wrote: Dear All, I have realized that we have a very expensive hobby.....

Cheaper than a girlfriend.

Much cheaper than an ex.

FriedGreen, we need to chat more often, your stories never cease to amaze me, and I think you have more stories than anyone I know.

If you ever need help on any of your cars, give me a message, I have weekends off, and my own tools, but nowhere to work.

Nis14 wrote: Dear All, I have realized that we have a very expensive hobby.

Not all of us.

I can now afford to build anything I want, but have come to the conclusion that, not only do I not need to spend a lot of money, I actually prefer the low budget projects. I bet I'm not the only one on this board.

Amen to ddavidv and friedgreencorrado. I broke a cardinal rule yesterday and did some work on a friend's DD. She was at least cool enough to hang out in the freezingasscold basement with me, while I turned a 3.5 hour job into a 9.5 hour project. Most of my friends have either heard, or witnessed all the goofy racing related stories I tell, but she hadn't heard any of them before. Telling those stories and seeing the eyes of someone hearing them for the first time gave me a sense of pride; being the guy that was there for it, instead relaying a story of something I watched on TV.

We still have some decent electronic entertainment. We only buy TV's at Goodwill nowadays. Tuesdays are 10% off on electronics. All of my stereo equipment is hand-me-down, but anyone who's wrenched in the hong norrth garage can attest to the fact that 4 cheap-ass house speakers and a used copy of "South of Heaven" can still make your ears bleed. You can also grab a cold beverage out of the fridge that my ex-bosses were throwing away. My wife got me some no-name chinese outdoor speakers for our anniversary a couple years ago, and their still kicking, great for parties. We've still got the surround-sound-DVD combo that some friends bought us for a wedding present. The rear speakers are blown, but a friend (one of those who has to have the latest and greatest of everything,) gave us an almost new set.

Sometimes I regret some of the money I've blown on racing related stuff. Other times I realize how very little it really is, compared to what most folks I know spend. All in all, the bang for buck has been really good. We've found venues (autocrossing, the Challenge, LeMons,) that allow our group a really good mix of wrenching time, seat time, and most importantly, sitting by the pool and drinking time, without dumping assloads of cash.

poopshovel wrote: We've found venues (autocrossing, the Challenge, LeMons,) that allow our group a really good mix of wrenching time, seat time, and most importantly, sitting by the pool and drinking time, without dumping assloads of cash.

"sitting by the pool and drinking" time is perhaps the best time of all. especially when some drunk dude climbs a tree from the lower parking lot up to the pool deck, drinks a pint of whatever bottle was going around, then wanders off after about an hour of bizarre interjections into a not-very-bizarre conversation.

or did i imagine all that?

friedgreen got it all right. I will never regret the money and time I have put into my racing 'careers' because the experiences and memories are priceless. The multiple parties the night before different races. The first time I went into the first turn at a GNCC; 60 MPH with someone's handlebars poking me in the side! The first time I trophied at an MX (THAT was a long time ago), the first time trophying at an enduro, the first year end AX class win trophy (take THAT, Nick Hallman! ) the first FTD trophy, Top 10 at the '06 Challenge, the first hillclimb, man I could go on for a while. And I will never forget the amazing people who make these things possible.

There was a Harley ad a few years ago with a bunch of kids crowded around Grandpa on the porch while he was talking about a Harley. One of the kids said 'Wow, Grandpa, you had a Harley?' and the guy said, 'Naw, I spent the money on aluminum siding instead.'

I don't ever want to be that guy.

friedgreencorrado wrote: And everything I've said pales in comparison to 4cylinderfury's comment..I never even mentioned how good it feels just to just take one of these machines in your hands, go out by yourself, and just *do* it.

Thanks, that means a lot!

FWIW, I agree completely that in almost all cases - sports, cars, collecting etc, the goofballing with good friends that co-exists with the hobby is nearly if not more gratifying than the hobby itself. Your explanation was incredibly spot on!

Jensenman wrote: There was a Harley ad a few years ago with a bunch of kids crowded around Grandpa on the porch while he was talking about a Harley. One of the kids said 'Wow, Grandpa, you had a Harley?' and the guy said, 'Naw, I spent the money on aluminum siding instead.' I don't ever want to be that guy.

Very well said.

4cylndrfury wrote:

friedgreencorrado wrote: And everything I've said pales in comparison to 4cylinderfury's comment..I never even mentioned how good it feels just to just take one of these machines in your hands, go out by yourself, and just *do* it.

Thanks, that means a lot! FWIW, I agree completely that in almost all cases - sports, cars, collecting etc, the goofballing with good friends that co-exists with the hobby is nearly if not more gratifying than the hobby itself. Your explanation was incredibly spot on!

Well, so was yours! I'd forgotten that the reason I met such wonderful people was that it just feels so good to grab one of these things and wring it out. People like us are a little different. I felt lonely until I found a place where all of us with that "difference" came together.

I can chirp in 3rd gear, but it's probably just because I'm addicted to "wrong wheel drive". And it's been raining alot here lately...

friedgreencorrado wrote: I can chirp in 3rd gear, but it's probably just because I'm addicted to "wrong wheel drive". And it's been raining alot here lately...

4cf = jealous. The Infiniti Im currently stuck with (not by choice), while fun, leather clad, and fully functional (something of a rarity for me ), it lacks one serious bit necessary for a proper sports car - a manual trans. Once i can either ditch the trans, or replace the car, I will be a happy happy man