The following information is being sent to BMW Car Club of America members on behalf of Lockton Affinity, LLC, a licensed insurance producer. Any recommendation or advice provided is based upon the opinion of Lockton Affinity, LLC and not the BMW Car Club of America.
Costs of a Typical Track Day
Attending a local track day is a great way to get more involved in your local motorsports community and find out what you and your BMW are truly capable of. Here’s how much a track day costs, what expenses to plan for, and why track day insurance is important.
How Much Does a Track Day Cost?
Depending on a number of factors, you can expect to pay somewhere between $300 to $3,000 to participate in a track day event, with $1,500 serving as a good ballpark estimate for the overall cost of a typical day.
At the lower end of this scale, you are looking at the bare minimum of what it takes to get you on a local track. Higher track day averages include more of the associated costs that you’re likely to incur, even if you’re not currently thinking about them.
What Track Day Expenses Should You Plan for?
Some key track day expenses to plan ahead for will typically include:
- Registration Fees – $200 to $500 per day
Registration fees exist to help support the organizing club chapter or track cover their expenses, which can be substantial. For participants, fees are a key expense, usually due up front at the time of registration. Note that this cost estimate is for single-day events. Two- and three-day events come with higher fees.
- Membership Fees – $58 per year for BMW CCA
To participate in BMW CCA HPDE events, you’ll need to become a member of the club. Besides access to local HPDE events, your membership also includes access to national events, driving tours, meetups, and more. It’s easy to join and pay the fee online at the same time as registration.
- Miscellaneous Event Fees – $0 to $250 and up
There are other costs you may need to budget for at the event itself, such as garage rentals (about $250), second driver fees (about $85), and RV parking (about $100) or on-grounds campsite rentals (about $50). Specific options and fees will vary depending on the event.
- Safety Equipment – $50 to $1,000 and up
Most events require a motorsports-rated safety helmet. Some chapters will loan or rent out helmets for around $50 per day, while others expect you to show up with your own. These helmets cost around $250 and up and can last as long as ten years. Some drivers eventually opt for fire suppression systems, upgraded seats, and racing harnesses, roll bars and more, which can add thousands to a budget.
- Consumables – $300 per track day
A BMW at a track can have a voracious appetite, going through consumables like fuel, fluids, brakes, and tires much faster than normal. You may go through a tank or more of fuel, plus fluids such as engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and brake fluid may need to be topped up after an event or even during the day. Brakes and tires wear much more quickly on a track, needing replacement after about ten track days.
- Maintenance and Repairs – $300 to $750 per repair
Maintenance costs before, during and after a track day can also add up. Most club chapters require you to show up with a vehicle that is already in safe operating condition, so you may need a repair before track day. Things like control arms and ball joints do sometimes break at the track, but more often, they just wear out more quickly.
- Travel and Accommodation – $200 or more
Unless you are lucky enough to live near your favorite track, you’ll likely need to plan for travel and accommodation. Most BMW CCA track days start early, often around 7 a.m., and everyone is expected to be on time. Plus, after a long day out on the track, you probably won’t feel like making a drive home. One or two nights of a nearby hotel, plus gas to get there and back, will probably be part of your overall expenses.
- Personal Expenses – $50 to $100
While it’s not typically a big expense, it’s a good idea to set aside some cash for personal expenses. It can be used for your meals, as well as incidentals like sunscreen or bug spray. Plus, you may need to pick up a storage tote or tarp for your event day. All your supplies will need to be stored outside your car on the paddock while you are on the track.
- Track Day Insurance – $150 to $500 per event, on average
Last but not least, it’s a good idea to save room in your budget for track day insurance. There are events where proof of track day insurance is required by organizers and others where it is strictly optional.
Why Is Track Day Insurance Important?
While a hobby like motorsports always entails a few unexpected costs on track day, you don’t want one of those costs to be an expensive repair bill or the loss of your vehicle. BMW CCA events prioritize safety, but accidents caused by events outside your control do still happen. Without coverage, you could lose your investment in a dedicated track car or your daily driver. Track Day Insurance from Lockton Motorsports is specifically designed to protect your car from physical damage while you’re participating in an event, protecting:
- Street-legal cars and non-licensed track cars.
- Modifications you’ve made to your car.
- Two drivers at each event at no additional cost.
- Any demonstration laps your instructor drives.
You can purchase track day coverage conveniently, either ahead of time or the day of an event, online at LocktonMotorsports.com. Have a question? We’re happy to help! Give Lockton a call at (866) 582-4957 to speak to their motorsports insurance experts.
The Lockton Motorsports Insurance program is administered by Lockton Affinity, LLC d/b/a Lockton Affinity Insurance Brokers LLC in California #0795478. Coverage is subject to actual policy terms and conditions. Policy benefits are the sole responsibility of the issuing insurance company. BMW Car Club of America will receive a royalty fee for the licensing of its name and trademarks as part of the insurance program offered to the extent permitted by applicable law. Not available in all states.
[Title photo by Jon van Woerden.]