How much does it cost to race BSB Superbikes? The expensive truth behind the racing.

[@cyclingbikerwholovestotinker]

wow that is one heck of a lot of money, and all credit to you guys for pulling it off, I can imagine there would be some sleepless nights finding money to pay those bills - good luck for 25, and I hope you get more help, as you deserve it for putting on a great show and entertaining us on and off the track.

[@adrianwilson3220]

Wow 300 k. Fantastic revealing vlog thanks Matt and Dave

[@andyh1917]

Thanks for doing the vlog Dave & Matt. Have always wondered how much it was for a 1 rider team to run in Superbikes 👍🏻

[@jonofalltradesmasterofnone832]

Great video and a real eye opener on the costs involved!

[@DGBYRNE]

Yes, the overall cost is huge. Thanks’ for the insight. There was no mention in the totals of the rider costs. Presumably wages, riding gear - leathers, helmets etc. or travel, accommodation Transportation to races, not forgetting pre season testing. My guess the without volunteers you’d need close to £500k to fund a season for one bike! Capital outlay and running costs. Granted, Sponsor contributions and race winnings, if you’re lucky, help, but there is still a huge net funding requirement to be competitive. The worrying thing for the sport is how long can a Privately funded team continue as the funding gap gets ever wider, as they try to match the factory supported teams. It’s much harder now than ever before but what can be done? In my view to be sustainable, the Sports Governing Bodies need to give this issue some serious attention. I’d be interested to hear the team’s thoughts.

[@obsession_engineering]

Drop the control fuel. Get the tyre companies to actually discount, or make tyres that last longer and it'd make a Hugh difference. Regulations to reduce cost can work, but the teams with money will always find somewhere to spend if they think it gains an edge. Rider didn't get paid, but didn't have to fund the ride, which most do. HJC helmets were free, but all the other kit was paid for. You can spend more, easily...spending less is the challenge

[@paulhenry1387]

I wonder how many people realise the astronomical costs involved. That said, if I was a rider, I'd happily run with you guys. Top team, top people.

[@peterfalconer-h3k]

Thanks for an honest breakdown of the costs and I can think of a few that you that you didn't mention as well. I know a lot of components aren't cheap to replace but tbh, I was surprised just how expensive some of them actually are. Generally speaking though, the costs are absolutely staggering and unlike years ago, there's no way a privateer could even afford to enter the series let alone be competitive. Promotors and organizers definitely need to make some changes to make the series more accessible to more riders.

[@dksspec]

Here I am moaning about my £8600 cost for full season of club racing my R6 ! 😂😂

[@grahamx8623]

I read the article in Bike magazine, a couple of things you didn't mention here are that there's no prize money and most riders don't get paid relying on their personal sponsors to give them some income. A lot of riders even have to give some of that money to the team to pay for their ride and some even pay for crash damage although I don't think that's the case with Rapid. Us racing fans are really indebted to the sponsors, most of them are in it for passion rather than any benefit it brings to their company.

[@rlw85]

Realistically it’s a 500k budget for the year all in. It’s an eye watering amount no wonder it’s hard to keep the grid full I thought the tires / brakes / chains and sprockets would be free issue from the manufacturer

[@claushansen9038]

Thanks to Matt for sharing the cost, great VLOG as allways !

[@HalfdeadRider]

I know the brake pads are made differently and are illegal to use on the roads as they are so good, but what is different about the discs? Because we can pay half the price of 'normal' discs that cost around £400 a set and you will still get just as good braking and longevity as they are just metal discs made out of certain grades of steel, only they are made in larger volumes saving us money. Those on this bike don't look like carbon ceramic discs so what are you getting for that price, genuinely interested to know as for road bikes a disc is a disc as long as it has sufficient cooling/pad material removing drilled/grooved holes.

[@obsession_engineering]

The disc is normal 336mm brembo t drive, but the bell (carrier) is bespoke to the Oz wheel which increases cost a bit, but the T drive is always expensive. We ran a different make on the stocker, equally as good, but better value, unfortunately they don't make an option for our fitment. The cost is partly the material, partly the bespoke nature and the 336 mm option is also more than the smaller discs, but they stop better, so worth it

[@HalfdeadRider]

@@obsession_engineering 😎👍

[@rlw85]

@@obsession_engineeringwhat’s a t drive brake

[@alisongibson8686]

Wow I knew it was expensive but bloody hell ? Been a pleasure to be involved great team, great times, great racing met some fantastic people luved every minute. Hope everything goes fantastic for 2025 goodluck.

[@Jaded-Wanderer]

Another great video

[@ChumiStu]

It’s a disgusting amount of money but I’m so grateful that people are able to contribute. But also exceptionally jealous that I don’t have that money for myself but also unable to contribute.

[@davidrailton8588]

It can only be assumed the rider didn’t pay to ride which is as it should be. Hats off to the team if this is the case.

[@merv690]

great video and an eye watering amount to find, not whishing to be rude or offensive, but I would have thought you are one of the smaller teams ,lord only knows what the big teams have to find🤔🤔

[@Bow-to-the-absurd]

That's why big teams need riders who come with large sponsorships.

[@obsession_engineering]

No offense taken at all, we are one of the smaller teams, which is why we try gains with good people, not just more kit

[@danielt8960]

They tell me racing in the past, particularly motorcycle racing was a working class sport. Now it's become a rich man's hobby no doubt.

[@JK-zx3go]

Strange how nothing comes in under the price cap...that was a great insight.

[@mayhemmayo]

THANK YOU. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

[@davidsampson3537]

Great informitive video Dave top job.

[@Chris_Page]

Wowzeers and Did I miss Chains and exhausts bill

[@mattmid7012]

Very interesting and eye watering! Fair play to Matt for having the passion to do it. I do think you could cut down on the biscuits to help out though Dave. 😂 I've no idea how much Eurosport pay to show BSB but i imagine it's not a great deal. It's treated like a second class sport on there though they continually stick the BSB all over the place every weekend, WSB taking precedence and heaven forbid bloody cycling should ever make way for it.

[@obsession_engineering]

Years back the series organisers took away the prize money to get the championship on TV. Strangely enough the prize money didn't come back

[@mattmid7012]

@@obsession_engineering It's just wrong that there's no prize money. It's bad enough that a lot of riders have to bring money to a team to ride (I get it has to be, but it really shouldn't have to be should it) I don't think there's been a better moment in sport this year than that final BSB race. I'm biased as a fan of the sport, but that should be mainstream viewing.

[@yesterlife]

It would be interesting to know how that compares to cars ? And I suppose a reasonable comparison would be a one car team in the BTCC ( British Touring Cars ) Does make you realise just how silly the costs must be in World Superbike though,nevermind Moto GP ! Maybe electric bikes really are the answer ..... or will be,at some point .

[@racinghome657]

I wonder how much the control fuel costs to actually produce per litre. No huge mark up there then. We moan about E10 at £1.32 a litre. Cheap as chips.

[@paulharrysadventures4050]

Great insight 👍

[@motorcyclegarage2307]

I have just paid £27 for a new fuel pump and £15 for a CDI unit. Ridiculous contrast.

[@Purplemonkey1974]

So does any team make a profit from racing? Or would you be happy to break even. £300k going out but how much for winning and any other. income? I also suspect more costs ie entry fees, hotels. Fuel for trucks etc...

[@peterfalconer-h3k]

No one makes a profit from racing. For factory teams winning leads to sales and for sponsors it's part of their advertising budget. Ultimately it filters right down to á privateer level who might get tires etc from their local bike shop for cost price in return for the shop name on the rider's leathers and stickers on their bike.

[@bryann1119]

​@@peterfalconer-h3kThe circuit owners MSV seem to make a healthy profit every year.

[@kevinbaker26]

That fuel is an absolute rip off. Someone is making some serious money from that.

[@mickeymouse4897]

A team could easily be competitive for far less money. These race teams just blow silly money on components, 3K for a pair of calipers, that's just ludicrous.

[@Shinysideup]

That’s a big chunk of money, but worth it. Cracking team and excellent videos, are you sticking with Franco?

[@obsession_engineering]

Announcement soon for the future of Rapid Honda... Stay tuned

[@tonycampbell9506]

Oh my gosh that’s insane. Back in the 90s I was club racing and the odd national race.I probably spent £15 pounds a racing mile witch back then was hard going . My son wanted to go racing I just said no way mate even track days are out of the question.i do think track days have changed the way racing is.hope you all can keep going next season love the content guys 👍

[@obsession_engineering]

Track costs, tyres, fuel, all too expensive to keep track riding affordable for the masses unfortunately

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

great vid dave keep up[ the greaty vid thanks lee

[@Bow-to-the-absurd]

Insane amount of money. Really needs to be less than half of that cost for a healthier championship

[@rickybobby7660]

How much cheaper would it be if you could buy an ex WSBK bike and run it on free tyres from your tyre sponsor, free fuel from your fuel sponsor, charge more for a ride that would actually lead somewhere, earn more from running WSBK wildcards and generally be able to give global companies more bang for their sponsorship bucks… with BSB there’s 2 people making a lot of cash running bikes to 14 year old rules and a lot of rider with nothing to show for it

[@MichaelSmith-mc8bd]

Dear lord! . An incredible amount of money, I for one didn’t appreciate just how much it was. 😮 . Please keep up the great work though guy’s.

[@bobbyclark7423]

Does bsb give any prize money out to anyone?

[@juniorchats7565]

I work for an F1 team and I would love to be able to help some how next season. Let me have a think.

[@obsession_engineering]

It'd be very interesting if we could make something happen!!

[@ManxAndy]

Evening Dave & Matt…what a wonderful season, looking forward to 2025….👍👌🇮🇲🤘 ps , the budget will be £300k , if you remove Dave’s biscuit and ice cream expenditure….lol 👍😜

[@obsession_engineering]

But I like biscuits and ice cream!!!

[@leontrice5346]

Wow that’s a lot of money

[@keithkench9432]

WOW !!!!!! So what can you earn compeating in BSB there has to be a cash return of some kind ???

[@obsession_engineering]

There's no prize money, so the teams have to survive on sponsorship revenue. The strength of the series is the quality of the racing and great TV coverage means sponsors can get good returns

[@peterfalconer-h3k]

The only cash return is the prizemoney that goes to the rider. No one pays any team to be there, the best most teams can hope for is what they get in sponsorship money pays a significant part of what it costs them to compete.

[@thrillerusa]

GBP316000 wow

[@gerrycollins2335]

Is the rider's pay included in these figures?

[@obsession_engineering]

Franco didn't get paid, but also didn't have to contribute unlike the majority of riders in privateer teams

[@jas21scot]

it’s a lot ,, my tyre bill 1000 a round so my dad says 😂

[@bananabrooks3836]

Labour too cheap!

[@obsession_engineering]

Definitely 🤣

[@aslkdjfzxcv9779]

club racing is cheap. lol

Cheer up, at least you're not trying to run a MOTO GP team 🤭

[@obsession_engineering]

Or god forbid, a car racing team!!

@@obsession_engineering LOL, yeah.🤣 Your entire annual budget would probably buy a set of brake discs for formula one!

[@davidrailton8588]

You need to separate running costs from capital costs. Capital costs are an asset which can be sold.

[@HalfdeadRider]

Costs are costs doubt they will be quitting anytime soon, plus you will never get your money back.

[@peterfalconer-h3k]

Other than the bike and spares, what is there that can be sold at the end of the season?

[@davidrailton8588]

@@peterfalconer-h3knot an inconsiderable sum for the bike, engines, wheels etc less depreciation of course. £30k spent on staff for 11 races a year!. It’s an expensive hobby at the end of the day. Better to win in Superstock rather than be a tail end Charlie in Superbike. However that’s down to the people paying the bills.