"...just don't think about it."

LAS VEGAS—In the world of grassroots motorsport, participants only require 3 things to be successful. Driving skill and mechanical know-how play a small role, a slightly bigger part of the experience involves simply ignoring how much money has been spent, especially on plastic trophies that you still haven't figured out where to display.

“Honestly, you start with the idea that you’re going to have fun and learn some skills,” says Josue Perez, an amateur racer. “But then you end up with a racing budget that makes you cringe when you think about it. So just don't thinking about it.” For many enthusiasts, the pursuit of speed and competition becomes expensive, often leading to regret when evaluating the costs involved.

Carlos Ortiz, another grassroots racer, notes, “I worked hard for that trophy, but when I added up the gas, tires, and entry fees, I realized I could have bought one for much cheaper. In the end, the value of that little piece of plastic reflects how broke I am .” The pride of competition can quickly become overshadowed by the realization of financial investment if you let it.

If you want to enjoy amateur motorsports, then get a car—any car—and dive right in at your nearest track. Just remember to always forget how much it costs.