Making a living off racing?

[akina_ae86]

Ok, maybe this sounds like a noob/stupid question for some of you. But for a entry level R/C'er like alot of us, we strive to know more about this hobby. I'd really like to know, racers like O'Hara, Josh Cyrul, etc. make a living off racing rc? Sounds like an awsome job racing rc for a living...

[Boxxer]

Im not aware of any drivers that are strictly just that.. and make a living off racing.

[rcguy2477]

A lot of people that are the big time racers also work for the company they are sponsored by. They may do stuff such as r&d, or customer service person. I dont know if anyone just races rc cars. There is no profit made from winning, so they wouldnt be able to live. If you are thinking of getting better and becoming sposored, you have a ways to go. Some people get faster more quickly than others, but the average time it takes to get sponsored is about 3-5 years.

[Dan H]

Its tough too. You'll have to travel everywhere. Late night wrenching at the hotel, etc. Personally, it would ruin the hobby for me and make it less fun. For example, this guy I know used to hot rod cars but since he became a tow truck driver, he hasn't been into cars anymore. Of course, if you're hardcore about the hobby, then theres nothing stopping you. Just look at Kinwald and Masami for example.

[surfer]

brian kinwald.

[Combatcm]

Yea, but don't you think it would ruin it for you?

[C.J.OO]

Not off racing only but you can have a career in the RC industry..start off racing get sponcered (if Ur any good).travel the circut and eventually get a job in the R&D section of a RC company and still race on the eace days..ahhh I think that would be the ultimate life..(is that sad or what)..

[surfer]

again...brian kinwald.

[lerningdriver]

again...brian kinwald.

will you enlighten us more with your wisdom?.. :rolleyes:

[Grizzbob]

He probably should've been a bit more specific, but Kinwald is one of those who will do a few little jobs at Trinity's headquarters, but his real job is to practice, test new parts & kits, & race full time. And because of the products that bear his name, he also gets a royalty payment for the profits of those(I believe). Another example of one who makes his living purely racing is Barry Baker, just like Kinwald, he does do plenty of practice & testing of new parts & cars, & must travel to every major race they tell him to, so he spends a GREAT deal of time on the road(but he is compensated for it of course, & his expenses are paid for). If you're really that good & enjoy doing it, then it's a good way to make a living, but to be honest, you can likely count the number of guys who earn those levels of income on 2 hands. Also, some others, like Masami Hirosaka for example, take part in desgning the kits, as well as testing them & racing them(Cliff Lett does this too), but in most cases, those guys have taken engineering in college to learn that stuff.... :cool:

[C.J.OO]

I understand Surfer And yes again Brian Kinwald/...

[akina_ae86]

It'll be fun to race and earn at the same time, but all those travelling & late night wrenching does really ruin the fun out rc. Thanks guys this question has been stuck in my mind for a long time... You think racers like Masami earn some big bucks for designing AND racing for their sponcers?

[surfer]

i remember BKs face on the rc10gt box back in the day....he looked 5 then too.. hee hee

[Grizzbob]

I don't know for sure, akina(I don't really get into a habit of asking people how much they make, :p ), but I have heard that guys like Kinwald make somewhere around $50,000 per year, but then again, I could be wrong. I would imagine that guys who do the design work too(like Masami, Cliff Lett, etc.) probably do make those kinds of money though, as engineers can pretty easily earn those levels of income in a lot of areas(not just R/C)...

[robertsonsr/c]

well your 50,000 is alittle off kinwald makes a lot more than that in a years time with all his gear with his name and all the races he wins. think about it they get paid if they win plus there normal salary then all the stuff that has there name on it i will let you all decide how much they make now.

[always_opencarb]

whats r&d? race and destroy? lol

[Lapster]

Research and development.

[b3guyRC10]

You guys don't seem to realize all the hard parts about racing R/C. and the fact that R/C is not a big hobby or sport, very very tiny compared to pretty much everything else. I'll see if I can get stormperson to elaborate because he knows a LOT about all this.

[Grizzbob]

You guys? Actually, I know plenty about how small R/C is compared to full scale racing, as Barry Baker has said before, "We're racing toy cars for bowling trophies.", & while it'd be nice to make a living doing it, I certainly don't see myself being able to do it, I'm just nowhere NEAR that good, & I'm not into designing things, I'm best at FIXING things..... :cool:

[highroller]

I think it is part enjoying what they do, many have stayed with the same company for years moving from actively racing into support roles. Other may change company sponsor for several reasons, while other drivers never stay with one company for very long.

Even some of use have been in the hobby for many years, using our own money to buy vehicles, equipment, attend races, pay hotels and meals. Many do it without hopes of getting sponsorship help but because many of us enjoy it.

[Rick Hohwart]

In a GOOD year Kinwald might make 50k.

[stormperson]

Rick might just know what he is talking about ;) and can provide alot more info than I can, however, here is my $.02...

Unless you have partcipated in a big race (nationals or race with over 300 people that is at least 5 days long) its hard to understand what real racing is about, and even then, there is alot to go....

You have 16+ hours days (cleveland I think i got 4 hours of sleep on a good night) and if you are representing a company there is a great deal of stress envolved, since you have normally two quals in one day and if you mess up even slightly once there goes your race weekend, since espeically with qual points and reshuffles, one bad run can really mess with your weekend (i have had it happen to me multiple times) and keep you out of the A. While it is true that you have to be on your best behaviour, there are alot of factory guys who are impossible to approach unless you are buddies w/ them, not to say that there are some who are very friendly and helpful as well.

Anyway, once you finally get to the main, there is only one person who can win, so there are going to be alot of losers, and that doesnt pay as well, and really, there are only probably a few dozen people in the US, who are actually in a position to get much of anything for a payout. Just because you are sponsered by company X, doesnt mean you will get paid the same as another driver for company X because their deal could have been different. BTW, this is mod I am talking about, hardly anyone gets paid for stock, and if they do, its not much.

The stress is just silly for what you are getting stressed over. Its not uncommon to see top team guys chain smoking outside before their race is up to calm their nerves, not to mention the heatly envornment that is present at r/c races, sitting in a chair all day hunched over a car covered with toxic chemicals and eating normally junk track food or fast food.

Its alot more worthwhile to get a real job that pays well and allows you to race. And then if you dont do well, it doesnt matter, since you can eat that week.

Not to say big races arent very enjoyable, since they are, but the racing is very rarely what is the most enjoyable part.

[surfer]

hey...50k is better then most jobs...average a year for alot of people is like 23k

[stormperson]

Not for the hours put in or the stress it isnt worth the possible 50k

[Sparkey_STi]

i would kill (not litterally...) for a job of RC R&D Cad drawings, Testing, and sponcerships! Its my life...

[LasagnaCat]

There's a reality show concept somewhere up there in stormperson's post.

This year, on The Discovery Channel... The *Dark* Side of R/C :D

[Top__Gunn]

"this year on the discovry channel" isnt it usually this week or tommorow, not this year,,, ha ha ha

[Mathew J]

Honestly, 50K is nothing and unless I truly loved what I was doing I don't think I could deal with 50k...granted right now I don' make much more than that, but I hope to soon move into a higher payscale...but then again I am from NE where cost of living is through the roof...if I lived in a more affordable area I would be psyched with 50K

[Grizzbob]

Right, in my neck of the woods, $50K is actually a LOT of money, enough to afford a nice house, car, & all the trimmings, but that's because one can rent a decent 1-bedroom apartment for around $400/month, while the same thing in other cities can be as high as $1000(I have a friend in NYC who pays that much for a 1-bedroom one, & from his description it's a SMALL one at that), which is almost as much as my brother & sister-n-law were paying for a 3 bedroom house here.... :cool:

[Mathew J]

Right, in my neck of the woods, $50K is actually a LOT of money, enough to afford a nice house, car, & all the trimmings, but that's because one can rent a decent 1-bedroom apartment for around $400/month, while the same thing in other cities can be as high as $1000(I have a friend in NYC who pays that much for a 1-bedroom one, & from his description it's a SMALL one at that), which is almost as much as my brother & sister-n-law were paying for a 3 bedroom house here.... :cool:


Wow, $400 a month for a one bedroom is unheard of here in MA, we have a ratty two bedroom that we are paying about $1500 a month, for anything nice you are looking at about $1,700-$2,000...and we are on the virge of buying a two bedroom townhouse with loft for about $370,000...so things are pretty steep...I think a one bedroom here is about $1,100 possibly a little less if you want something not that nice.

[Grizzbob]

Wow, $400 a month for a one bedroom is unheard of here in MA, we have a ratty two bedroom that we are paying about $1500 a month, for anything nice you are looking at about $1,700-$2,000...and we are on the virge of buying a two bedroom townhouse with loft for about $370,000...so things are pretty steep...I think a one bedroom here is about $1,100 possibly a little less if you want something not that nice.
Ouch, & some people wonder why I like living in Oklahoma...LOL! :D

[Dan H]

Over here though, 50K a year is nothing. ;) Sure, it might let you live a comfortable life with enough money for some toys but ONLY if you are single. Throw in a wife and 2-3 kids, racing salary just doesn't cut it. But yeah, if you live in the middle of the US, then 50K is pretty good.

[chrisAtmaxx]

guys 50 grand is nothing.... where i live you cant live off of tht. my dad makes bout 200 grand and thts enough to get by. but he doesnt really share our financial state with me. im not trying to brag or anything but for anyone here who thing 50 grand a year is a lot it isnt.

[chrisAtmaxx]

oh by the way i live in CT so living costs may be more here

[DualBL]

if 200k is just enough to "get by", by all means, sell the porsches
-Nick

[REVOman]

depending on where you live 50k may be a lot, or nothing, where im at (Dayton,OH) 50k would be great, me and my finace live off of less than 20k a yr total between the 2 of us from college money. We pay for school, pay our rent on 1 br appartment, car, gas, parkin costs, food, and electricity, and still have enough to play in this hobby. Granted i cant afford MAJOR buys on things, but i get what i need, and fuel for the Nitro's. Now 50k a yr would be GREAT here, we'd be able to get a house, a better car, ect. It ALL depends on where you live, simpley due to the cost of living being different everywhere. I can drive 30 min from where we live and find the same apartment for $600+ a month, lol, we only pay $358 a month (water, gas, sewer, trash, heat PAID by landlord :D ) So, just as anything else in life goes, its all LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! ....lol my $.02

[raderrustler]

I followed the circuit for a couple months this year and raced in a few races and found out it is fun but unnerving...TOO much stress and not a way to live. As far as 50k a year it? You spend what you make, it will always be that way. This hobby is expanding right now exponentially but it is still not a big crowd drawer. The two local Vegas Off-road Races this year drew maybe 500 people to watch thru the five days each race. And there were alot of entries. I personally got burned out and sold everything I had to step away and see what I was getting so worked up over. I will race again but not anywhere near the way I did in the past..Life is too short to worry, bash practice and pick the races you know you will have fun in. As for earning a living...Be a CNC Machine shop owner and make the bling parts for all the MT's, that is where the $$ are at.
Randy

[Maverick Racer]

The stress is just silly for what you are getting stressed over. Its not uncommon to see top team guys chain smoking outside before their race is up to calm their nerves, not to mention the heatly envornment that is present at r/c races, sitting in a chair all day hunched over a car covered with toxic chemicals and eating normally junk track food or fast food.

Chain smoking or getting hammered. Hell I do it any time I have a bad race weekend. Or need some major nerve calming. 1 every hour to relax, 1 every 15 min to make the bad weekend a lot better. :)

The reason why you only see so many people that are in the top 2 percet of paid or top drivers in the world is parly due to the strees and intensity levels that are put on a driver at a big race. Clevland, or the Snowbirds are two good races that are just brutal on a driver. You'l' have 15-20 hour days were you spend the whole time at the track tuning wrenching, and racing. If your an on-road guy at the birds your lucky to get to race during the day. If you happen to be an oval guy then your just SOL. This past year I had my last chance qualifier at 3:00am. Most average people dont even stay up that late, more or less drive an RC car with some of the best oval wheels in your class, and having sponsers watching over you to make sure you make the A or at least do good. Its insane.

The money is crap, the hours are nuts, and the scedule is intense, and it seems to be a neverending battle to be in the top percentage. No wonder people would rather play with a T-maxx then race a National or any other big race.

Go figure.