Some people have asked for the cost numbers that TSO put out last week. Here is the high level picture. The detail can be found at TSO.
NOTE, these are IndyCar Series specific for an existing team, and gathered from various sources. Many of these numbers translate directly to the cost of racing in the CCWS, NHRA, or any of a myriad other series.
If you started from scratch, you'd need to buy two more chassis and more spare parts (the reason why it's always better to buy someone out - to get all the "misc" at pennies on the dollar).
This does not take into account economies of scale that would exist for multi-car teams. That is a real and significant cost saving for bigger teams.
Item Count Per Unit Per Year Per Race (16races)
Shop Rent 1 $100,000.00 $100,000.00 $6,250.00
Monthly Misc Shop Costs 12 $20,000.00 $240,000.00 $15,000.00
Crew 20 $90,000.00 $1,800,000.00 $112,500.00
Tractor/Transporter/Maint 1 $100,000.00 $100,000.00 $6,250.00
Engine Lease 1 $900,000.00 $900,000.00 $56,250.00
Chassis 1 $350,000.00 $350,000.00 $21,875.00
Road Course Kits 1 $75,000.00 $75,000.00 $4,687.50
PI Systems 1 $75,000.00 $75,000.00 $4,687.50
Chassis Parts/Maint/Damage 1 $750,000.00 $750,000.00 $46,875.00
Tires 1 $180,000.00 $180,000.00 $11,250.00
Per Event Expenses 20 $45,000.00 $900,000.00 $50,000.00
Totals = $5,470,000.00 for the 2007 season, or $335,625.00 per race over 16 races. (In the per event numbers I have included some testing costs).
Anyway, here are the numbers, so argue away.
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