Bang For Your Buck

by Simon

I'm doing a repost this week as I'm getting ready to leave for the Tucson Festival of Books. I have to play "The Stig" on a panel. It's probably the nearest I'll ever get to Top Gear, but I'll enjoy the moment while I can. With the 2012 racing season upon us, this piece has a lot of relevance.


Unfortunately, we live in a time where we’re all tightening our belts and always looking for a bargain. And I think I’ve found one—live motorsport!

For the last few days, I’ve been researching some items for my next Aidy Westlake book. I wanted to know how much it cost to go see a race meeting nowadays. In the UK, it’s pretty reasonable. For such an expensive sport, the cost isn't passed on to the spectator. For a full day of racing was around $20. It’s a little different if you want to see a higher profile event such as German Touring Cars, but even still, you can get tickets for fifty bucks. For that, you're going to see a full race cart of ten races plus all the qualifying sessions. Stateside, I can get a weekend pass with seats in the grandstand at next month’s IRL race at Infineon for $75. That’s pretty good going. Compare that to other live events such as the theater, sports events, theme parks and music concerts and you’re looking at easily double. Seeing live motor racing is good value for money.

So if you’re looking for something a little different to do this summer that won't kill you bank balance, check out your nearest race track. You won't be sorry. And it just might make a fan of you…

Yours frugally,
Simon