CHEAP THRILLS! HOW TO GO RACING WITHOUT GOING BROKE

Two words that should never really be strung together are “racing” and “budget.” Getting involved in motorsports and taking your car to the track cost cash, and the harder you hit the track and more serious you get, the more cash you'll burn.

- STEVEN RUPP

BETWEEN AUTOCROSSING, DRAG RACING, AND OPEN TRACK DAYS, YOU DON'T NEED TO SPEND A FORTUNE TO DIP YOUR TOES INTO THE MOTORSPORTS POOL

However, there are ways to have some fun with your hot rod, hit the track, and spend a sensible amount of money on the process. We're going to skip over the “racing on a budget” ideas such as karting or E-sports and look at ways you can enjoy your car or truck on the track without winding up in debtor’s prison.

For most of us, the racing will happen in one of three segments: autocrossing, drag racing, and road course events. These three make up most of the amateur racing out there, and they are common enough that it’s not difficult to find local events.

AUTOCROSSING

Autocross events can be found near every major population center in the U.S. and are a great way for beginners to hit the track without dropping a ton of coin, especially if you're just looking to have fun and improve your driving skills. Autocrossing is also easy on your car, with tire wear being the biggest consumable.

Where autocross events have a big advantage is they can be hosted at almost any large expanse of asphalt, whereas drag racing and road course events require dedicated, harder-to-find (and sadly disappearing) tracks. Autocrossing's ability to fit whatever patch of pavement is available helps make it one of the most affordable ways to hit the track and have some fun with your hot rod.

It also means that finding an autocross event is somewhat easier because it isn't tied to a track venue. For example, in Southern California you may have to drive 100 miles or more to a good road course, and if Pomona isn't operating (and it rarely is), then it's a long drive to Vegas or Famoso for drag racing now that Irwindale Dragway is closed.