There is a perception in both local and global motorsport that the road discipline in motorsport is expensive and unaffordable. Is it a myth or the truth? We offer detailed costs for participation at the level of the Latvian and Baltic Highway Championship in various test classes for individual athletes or teams.
In the Baltic Motorway Championship (BaTCC) there are a wide range of options to start individually in sprint races, as well as in team endurance races with two or more people with a distance of 2 or 6 hours. In addition, it is possible to compete in all these disciplines with one car at the same end of the competition, as the technical rules are paired in the classes.
Endurance competition – BEC 6H
Taking into account the factor “km in the race against expenses”, the most effective distance is the six-hour endurance race (BEC 6H), where up to five participants can compete in one team, the costs being divided in proportion to the driving time or distance. In a six-hour race, one team covers an average of 700-800 km, adding the free training and qualification rides, the total is at least 1000 km per team.
How are the costs per race weekend? The participation fee for the competition is between 700 and 1000 EUR per team, depending on the entry class and how early the registration for the competition takes place. Tires are an essential factor in any motorsport discipline. The competition regulations in the BEC6H competition stipulate that all participants must use Hankook sliku tires, which must be purchased from a specific supplier, ensuring sporting equal conditions. In the less powerful classes, teams can run the entire race weekend with 4-6 tires, but in the more powerful classes, such as TCR or Porsche GT3 CUP, teams use 12-16 tires in a single race. The price of one set of tires ranges from 1000 to 1600 EUR without VAT. Available tire sizes and prices can be found HERE. Tires are delivered to the address specified by the team at the race or venue. If a technical defect occurs at the beginning of the race and not all the ordered tires are needed, then only the used tires need to be removed and paid accordingly. Be sure to consider fuel costs for the distance, new brake pads for the race, mechanics’ wages, transport and travel, car depreciation, etc.
A racing car? In the BEC 6H race, participants take to the start in several competition classes, starting with 2l cars up to the factory Porsche GT3 CUP. The speed of the car within one lap is not as important a factor as its reliability over the entire six hours to achieve the maximum possible result at the finish of the race. The choice of car remains at the team’s discretion, depending on ambitions on the track or financial possibilities. It is possible to buy race-ready cars for 10,000 – 20,000 EUR, used TCR class cars starting at 40,000 EUR or a factory GT class vehicle, where prices start at 60,000 EUR. Is it possible to buy and prepare a street car for the competition? In order to prepare a street car for a six-hour endurance competition, you should expect about 10,000 EUR, not including the purchase price of the car.
In the Baltic Motorway Championship, for potential pilots whose priority is driving on the track, rental options are also widely available in both small and large budget teams with fast and modern racing cars.
Two-hour endurance competition – Nankang 2h Endurance
The purpose of this competition is to compete against each other at a minimum cost for participants from the sprint competition classes and participants who want to try themselves in road races. One or two pilots can participate in the two-hour long distance. Several qualifying classes, starting with the ABC Race class up to standard cars with 4l engines. The participation fee for the competition is 400 EUR, for which the team can participate in 2 qualifying sessions, each 20 minutes long and 2 hours in the competition, a total of 160 minutes of track time, which equates to approximately 220-250 km. All participants start with Nankang “AR-1” sports tire, where the price of one set varies from 320 – 600 EUR without VAT, depending on the size. One set of tires is absolutely enough for the entire race weekend. Tire prices and sizes are available HERE.
A racing car? 1.4l standard cars with safety frames, 2l cars, BMW 325 CUP participants, up to standard BMW M3 vehicles entered the starting line. It is possible to buy race-ready cars for 8000 – 25000 EUR. As in the 6-hour race, in the two-hour endurance race, the speed of the car in one lap is not a decisive factor for success, it is determined by the skill and stability of the driver, the reliability of the car throughout the distance.
Sprint competition
Standard highway competition, where the length of the final races is 10-14 laps, about 15-20 minutes long, two races – during which you have to show the best performance in order to reach a higher place.
Among the most budget-friendly options, we can highlight 3 qualifying classes – mono classes BMW 325 CUP and BMW 116 Trophy, as well as the ABC Race series of small saloon cars.
The BMW 116 Trophy is a class created in 2022 with the aim of creating a mono budget class, as a step before the BMW 325 CUP competition. They are BMW E87 model cars, equipped with a 1.6l engine (85 kW) and for which very limited modifications are allowed – mono shock absorbers (Gaz), the price of which is 800 EUR, mono brake discs and pads (Fri.tech). All use Nankang AR-1 tires, a set of which costs 420 EUR without VAT. The purchase of a street car and its complete preparation according to the technical regulations would cost around 10,000 EUR, not counting the driver’s safety equipment. Running costs in competitions (brake wear, tires) are also lower than the BMW 325 CUP.
The BMW 325 CUP is currently the most popular racing class in any Baltic motorsport discipline, gathering at least 30 cars on the starting line in one race weekend. The popularity is related to exactly the same philosophy as the BMW 116 Trophy – strictly regulated racing cars that ensure very close racing on the track. BMW 325 CUP is allowed, BMW E90, E91 and E92 cars with same engine type, same shock absorbers, brake system, reduction gear and tires. The purchase of a street car and its complete preparation according to the technical regulations would cost around 15,000 EUR, not including the driver’s safety equipment.
The ABC Race class is designed for highway beginners who want to test themselves on the highway at a very affordable cost. It is allowed to use cars whose engine volume does not exceed 1.4 l and whose approximate power is 75 hp. Minimal conversion options are allowed in the suspension. Falken specific size tires must be used. The purchase of a street car and its complete preparation according to the technical regulations would cost around 10,000 EUR, not counting the driver’s safety equipment.
In all types of highway, it should be taken into account that an annual highway license issued by LAF will be required – the price is 150 EUR, as well as driver’s safety equipment that complies with the regulations.
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