Got lots of really good answers on what I should charge to rent my Solo II
car. Basically, those responding did so in two ways – what it costs them,
and their opinion on a fair charge. Some of the responses are encapsulated
below. Anything in (parentheses) is the writer's comment, if in [brackets]
it's mine.
I asked the question in the context of a Prep/Mod car (mine is a DP),
anticipating that the cost for these to be considerably higher than for
Stock/Street cars – but those responding who are in the Stock/Street classes
turned out to be remarkably in line with the Prep/Mod respondents. Tire
wear/cost is the great constant.
The bottom line seems to be $100 per event is a fair rental. Something like
a Divisional/Tour/Pro/National is doubled since the wear and use on the car
is essentially that of two events. That is right at the number I had in
mind, but now I have better rationale and justification for the number.
This assumes a straight one-event arrive-and-drive situation, not one where
the renter also is contributing to the upkeep and maintenance of the car,
helping to work on it, perhaps supplying parts (tires!). Arrangements for a
longer term, a full season perhaps, usually result in a lower per-event
rate, but then the involvement of the renter is usually greater. It also
does not address any situation where the owner is WANTING a co-driver, i.e.
a Nationals tire-warmer, where the owner gets some competitive benefit from
having the second driver.
Thanks to all who responded.
--Rocky Entriken
===== Comments on cost =====
--I actually burn up $25-$30 worth of tires at the typical autocross. [ST
class]
--A set of Hoosiers on a Miata/Z3 are >$600 a set and you can get 60 runs
out of them that is a $10 run
--For me to run a local event with [my CM car] cost $125 any way I wanna cut
it.
--I keep detailed records - during the last three years, my [SS] car (paid
for, no depreciation or interest) has cost $28.88 per run.
--Figure out what it cost you to run the car for the year? My ESP Camaro is
very expensive. With tires (how many real good runs can you get out of a set
of tires), towing, maintenance on the car and wear and tear on the motor
etc. I would say a minimum of $75 to $150 per day and double that per day if
the car is competitive at Pro Solo and National Tour events.
--I run a BP (high maintenance) car and keeping track of all costs this
year, including towing etc., it came to about $45 a run. Labor is by myself
and figured $00.
--[A past National Champ] rents his C-Mod FF ... for $75 for a one-day (3-4
run) event and $100 for a 2-day (6 run) event like a Divisional, Tour, etc.
The theory is the cost of towing/setup doesn't recur for the 2nd day of a
2-day event.
--I've arranged ... a deal to rent an uncompetitive BM car for $10/run. With
regard to damage, if I break something with my own negligence, I buy it
--I've usually heard "2 tires and 1/2 of contingency" (Neon, but gone now!),
or "renter pays for all tires for both drivers" when a longer-term agreement
is involved. When I've calculated tire costs, the ACTUAL costs usually come
to $50/day/driver (on concrete) for "R" tires. Naturally, there are other
risks and wear-and-tear to be considered than just tires.
--Prepared cars and Mod cars are very delicate things. Even we owners
haven't a clue what they really cost. A few years ago ... I did a sort of
share/rent thing in my EP Datsun 510. After all the numbers were done we
found the Datsun cost $38 per minute to run, plus transportation and so on.
... Then there is my silly EM 510 with a full-on Buick 215, it seems to cost
twice what the EP car does
--The car owner never thinks he's getting enough money for the wear-n-tear
and hassle and the renter always thinks he's getting ripped off "for just 4
minutes of seat time".
--There is a lot more to it than money. Maybe if you have to ask the
price.... Well, you asked....
===== Comments on rental charges =====
--I would not feel bad charging >$200 per person (for a pro or tour)
–For a local event I would ask for $100.00 minimum. For a Divisional $125.00
per day.
--Four years ago (Before I had my own car) I would have gladly paid you $100
dollars a day to get my feet wet in a car that wasn't stock class.
--Given that you will have increased incremental costs only, assuming that
you will be at the same events sharing the car, I would charge $25.00/run.
--When someone has driven my [ESP] Camaro at a Pro or National Tour I expect
as a minimum a set of tires. That’s @ $600 to $700 @ $300 to $350 per day.
--I would charge $75 per day on asphalt and $100 a day on concrete.
--A fellow C Stocker rent his MR2 to his dad for $100.00 a day
--The renter of [DM] cars the last several years ... pays the owner's entry
fee, plus $100 for a two-day event
--I charged $200 flat for my CP car this year at nationals. My car is
undeveloped/uncompetitive however....
--I've rented quite a few and have rented out many times. In both
capacities, it has ranged from 0 dollars to about $200 for a NT or Pro
--[A driver] that runs a D Modified Datsun PL510 is selling a CO-driver
position for the 2001 season, that would include Divisionals and Nationals
along with the local events for $2000.
--Back when [a friend] and I were pimping his MX-6, our standard deal for a
Tour or Pro weekend or Nationals was 2 tires or cash equivalent for a
one-time deal. ... If I won tire money, it went into the kitty
--If I were in your "arrive-and-drive" situation, I would charge 'em no less
than $100 PER DAY, in order to not lose money on some of the other expenses
such as trailer wear, car prep, etc. ... Considering what you pay to rent a
plain vanilla car from Hertz, etc. this seems fair to me!
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