Driving For Fun Costs Dough

SEBRING - So, you want to be a race car driver?

This weekend's competition at Sebring International Raceway featured club racing with "amateur" drivers.

Mick Robinson, owner of Robinson Motor Sports, Inc., of Melbourne, works 40 weekends per year, while traveling 70,000 miles to tracks including, Daytona, Homestead and Watkins Glen.

His stable of club racing drivers navigate the same legendary race tracks as Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt and Emerson Fitapaldi, and Robinson would likely argue that his drivers want to win just as much, and might even enjoy themselves more.

"They're not going to Indy or NASCAR racing, they're just a bunch of competitive guys who want to have fun," said Robinson, on Friday.

Club racer Matthew Inge, of Fort Myers, is following in his father's footsteps as a race car driver.

"People don't realize how much physical strength it takes to road race - the G's it puts on your body," said Inge.

Another club racer, Doug Mead of Melbourne, referred to himself as a "adrenaline junkie" who enjoys the competition.

Robinson mechanics, including Matt Chouinand, check every nut and bolt, adjust brakes and align several areas of each car following every race.

Mark Eaton is Robinson's team manager. He is charged with research and development. Eaton also races on the side and talked about wrecks from a driver's perspective.

"They more hurt your pride," said Eaton. "Sure it hurts to mess up a car."

Eaton said the the crew typically works 12 -hour days, but when a car is involved in a crash the staff works overtime.

"The crews work so hard to make the cars dependable, but sometimes they have to spend all night working, and you feel stupid," said Eaton.

Only those with both the time and cash can race the club circuit.

Robinson said a set of tires runs $700, entry fees cost $250 and the cost of 12 gallons of gas per race has to be accounted for.

Robinson said the Ford cars he runs cost $18,000 and retain their value.

Robinson's charge for a weekend is $1,700 which includes advice and work on the car.

Toss in the charges for a typical weekend away from home, and Robinson estimated a typical driver shells out $35,000 a year.