Cost to run a 488 Challenge or challenge car

We have seen 2-3 second swings at sebring and Cota at any given time...the most "moody" tracks. You coming out of retirement this year rob?

 

Thank you, Al. Miss you, buddy! Let's catch up sooner, rather than later!

 

sort of the same phenomenon you get with general aviation pilots? ha ha

there always some screwballs out there, most of us just do it for the fun and the people

 

Agreed. His detailed response precisely matches my own experience running track days with two 458CH cars. I've nothing to add, except that the running costs for a 488GT3 are thus far similar to the 458CH.

 

Rob, ever seen the Michelotto price list for e.g. 458 GT3?
A complete cf body, wing etc ~40.000 euro ex vat
Ferrari is no different from Lamborghini or Porsche.

 

Are the challenge cars running a DCT (and if so the same one as the street model?) or do they have a sequential gearbox?

 

458CH and 488CH have similar DCT gearbox same as the street cars, 458 GTE and GT3 have Hewland and 488 GTE and GT3 running with Xtrac Gearbox.

all paddleshift operated except first 458 GTE under ACO rules had Manual stick sequential gearshifters. up to 2012 458 GT3 had paddleshift fixed like the street cars versus the GTE Model had the small paddles on the steering wheel mounted and turned with the steering. this has been also updated on the 2013 onwards 458 GT3 Model as it was possible to have the GTE Steering wheel as Option for the 458 GT3.

488 GTE and GT3 have identical Steering wheels (F1 Style and as Option the classic round steering wheel)

 

I know a couple of owners who talk his their young mechanics into doing their jobs for free, telling them what an opportunity it is for them, and that it is all a stepping stone to the big leagues. Shameful.

 

There are only three reasons why car owners in any series would employ unpaid mechanics, and none of them are good (and one of them could very well be illegal - I have seen it happen before my eyes). I believe that even for apprentice mechanics, a per diem is always in order. I don't care about racing any more. I used to and I wish I never had. It cost me way too much money, and I got very little joy in return.
This even happens in F1. I look at a number of people who have been involved in Formula 1 over the last few years (Briatore, Pollock, di Resta, Jos Verstappen, etc) and I see very little worth liking.

 

How does one get started in SCCA, NASA or CCR? Links to web sites?

 

Thanks.

 

There are lots of race support shops around that can make it an arrive and drive experience. The more you farm out the assistance, the more $ you spend.

As far as just doing DE and test days and then expecting to be competitive when the green flag drops and you are surrounded by 20-30 other testosterone pumping guys and expecting it to translate...... forget about it! It all goes out the window when the flag drops. Driving in wheel to wheel racing takes a lot of different skills than just driving, flooding the correct line, hitting the braking points and apex.

It can be done on a budget, if you are able and willing to do some of the work. I ran a vintage Indycar (March/Cosworth 88C) and my bank account lived to see another day. I actually made money when I sold it.

 

Ok hope this is helpful but i recently purchased a 488c and can share the costs for private / track day non competitive use. Here we go...

Unless you are familiar with race car setup you will need a support crew for the first one or two track days to get you going ( ive done hundreds of track days in road cars and bikes and had to come to accept this is next level so essential to get going safely and with critical knowledge/skills to run car)
support ~$1000AUD/day
ties 1 set per day ~$5500AUD
Servicing every 3-4 events ~$1500AUD ( just fluids, check brakes, bleed lines, inspect)
Pads 1 set per ~10 ish track days ~$6k fitted ( this is a v dependent on how hard u go and particularly how much u lean on the esc and traction control - if u do, u will go thru rear pads and disks crazy quick)
Disks 1 set per 4-5kkm $15,000Aud ( this is for ceramic - steels are half this)

if you run the car yourself you need quite a bit of gear. for me:
Truck and truck mods to support car ( ie car is very low) ~$60,000 Aud (otherwise if someone else transports per event ~$500)
Ramps and wheel stops ~$1000kAuD
fuel churn and dry break setup ~$3000AUD
Rattle gun (price depends wildly on brand and can be truely expensive) ~$1000AUD
Wheel Socket $?k ( i had mine included with car)
Air lines and regulator ~$800
Air cylinders and lance $?K (i had these included with car but are typically not included and are essential)
Spare wheel set $??,000 ( extra set is essential - i had extra set included with car but last saw sold online auction for $20k€)

I’m hearing some weak points on the 488c car are turbos and lugs on the wheel hubs that get sheared off. neither are “issues” perse just something to watch and good reason to keep on top of regular maintenance and inspections.

Hope this helps.





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Does SCCA and NASA have 355 or 360 classes?

 

Thanks. The NASA and SCCA websites are so barren and look like they’ve been barely updated since the 90s!
Where can I find specific information on SCCA or NASA about starting off with a 360 or 355? Thanks so much for any guidance!

 

I was reading about the Ferrari Club of America club competition racing but almost no information exists on it from what I can find. Does it have a large following? Is it just region dependent?


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