Racing is not cheap. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, there are ways to get started on a budget.

If you have no motorsports experience, Solo (autocross) is a great place to get your feet wet. It’s also a great destination if you seek the rush of pushing a car to its limits in a timed environment. Autocross is also one of the best ways to learn precision car control, a skill that will translate into better driving on the streets.

If you need the rush of making laps on a closed circuit, Time Trials, PDX or Track Night in America are great options to get on track. These programs are designed to be a fun way to get your street car or tuner out on a track and pushed to its limits.

If those options are fun, but don’t quite give you the rush of wheel-to-wheel racing, Club Racing is your destination. To enjoy any of these programs on a budget, you don’t need a top-of-the-line sportscar. In fact, you will have just as much fun, for less of your paycheck, in a humble hatchback or roadster.

Jack Baruth outlines his advice for starting on a budget with Road & Track readers here. He shares insight gained from starting out in motorsports as a humble cubicle worker.

“It's worth it. Racing is costly, and there will always be other bills to pay. But there really is a brotherhood of speed, and we're waiting for you to join us.”

Photo by Anthony Porta