Cost to run a 488 Challenge or challenge car

To be honest, the 348,355,360, and 430's are getting really old. They are not cheap to run, and the parts are impossible to find.

 

I haven't run a challenge car, but I did run a vintage Indycar (March 87C) for a season. The only reason I sold it is some guy saw my times and offered me 2X what I paid for it. I can't imagine a challenge car is harder to run. There were the guys with 40' semis and motor homes, a support crew with matching uniforms, coaches, engineers.... the whole nine yards. Then there was us: 25' enclosed trailer, spare wheels/tires, some spares...... and 3 buddies, maybe girlfriends and always my Newfoundland (team owner of Scuderia Paw). It was all for fun. Nobody got paid. I used to enjoy putting in better times than most of the 40' semi guys and see the 20 folks trying to figure it out and explain it to the pissed off owner. Those guys could never quite grasp that some people have a feel for this and others don't. Nothing against those guys, but It's just for fun and we really didn't take ourselves or the whole thing that seriously.

I helped drive to the track, load/unload, set up the pit, wrench, etc. Biggest expense was tires/brakes. Tires were around $1200/set and brakes were steel things that were cheap. I did have an 'incident' on cold tires and the rear wing kissed a wall...... $600 welding job. Fortunately, I didn't have any real big offs or contact. The Cosworth V8 redlined at 12K. Cosworth told me that if I shifted at 11K most of the time and used 1 weekend/month, I would get 5 years out of the engine. I mainly shifted between 10-11. Rebuild parts were ~$5K..... and you know we would have done it in my garage, but I didn't have it long enough.

Could we have used more help? Probably. But my car came with a set up book for each track and I had lots of extra springs/dampers, etc. There are guys that have to have everyone there (including the umbrella girl and someone to wipe the eyebrows for them). But if you are willing to learn and put in the work, you can go have fun and not break the bank. BTW.... 1/2 way through the season we came up with team shirts and jackets!

Here's the car, trailer and 'team owner' (who came to all the races). circa. 2001


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Sounds like a lot of fun, I don’t know anything about those cars but am assuming they are completely analogue with limited sensors and electronics. I wish the 488 challenge car was simple.

 

I have a Lola T91/50 F3000. It is considerably simpler and cheaper to run than what I’ve learned from my short time with 488C. Probably about 1/3 the cost. I agree it requires a higher skill level to drive but it is on a different planet in terms of performance and speed. 100% analog. No electronic driving aids, no power steering or brakes. Proper setup window much narrower than 488C.
Mine was hot rodded with the same Buick Indy Lights motor as the Match 87C ran. Rebuilds are dirt cheap compared to the original Mugen Honda 12,000rpm 3.0L V8.
It is simple to work on but if you crash then you’re having a specialty shop fabricate new parts because they are so hard to find.
I acquired a decent amount of documentation for the car which helps a lot. But Lola closed their doors so we’re all on our own now LOL. Great community and network of knowledge through the Lola registry though.

 

This is amazing. Thank you for posting.

 

Totally analog. If memory serves me the '87-'88 Indycars were the last cars that didn't require an IT department to run. I specifically wanted these year cars for that reason. They were also the last years of the BIG downforce cars. Talk about a learning curve and commitment! The sensors are your eyes, hands and rear end. 1500 pounds and 750hp on full boost is nothing to sneeze at and requires skill honed over years, respect and a certain amount of insanity! No relying on nannies to keep you out of the scenery. The front axle is at your knees and your feet are pretty much unprotected.

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Sounds terrifying!

 

This is a great discussion and appreciate everyone's comments. I wish the 488 didn't have so much overhead, but, better to know before it is sitting in the garage.