“The first car – from 250 thousand rubles”. How much does it cost to give your child to motorsport?

It is a mistake to think that motorsport is only for adult men. There are classes for boys and girls as young as five years old, although they will only be allowed to compete after nine years of age. Children start by learning the rules of racing and the basics of driving a vehicle.

This is a relatively expensive sport, but it has different types. From the chosen discipline, of which there are many, will depend on the cost of classes. The price is also affected by the age of the child.

We continue the series of materials about how much children’s sports cost. Today Evgeny Gulenkov, a multiple champion of the USSR in car multiathlon, a prize-winner of the CE stage in rally-raids and a multiple winner of the Russian championship in rally-raids, shared his experience with us. The former racing driver founded his own driving school for children. His son Alexander also trains there.

Racer’s father, founder of the Evorus children’s driving school, coach

When my son was young, he showed interest in motorsport right away. He tried to drive a few times, but didn’t like it. He left. After growing up a bit, he said he wanted to come back. And now he’s still practicing. Will he become a professional athlete? He’s finishing school now, and then he’ll decide for himself. We, parents, can only guide and prompt, but not force.

Inquiries

He will not be allowed to train without a list of documents, some of which must be paid for.

• Insurance. It must be taken out first of all. The price for children from 2 to 17 years will be 5433 rubles. After 18 – 7595 rubles.

• Medical certificate of admission to training and competitions. It must be obtained in a medical institution that has a license to issue such documents. The average cost is 2500 rubles.

• License of the Russian Automobile Federation. It can be issued in any regional branch. Before visiting the organization it is worth preparing: an application, a fee of 1300 rubles, a copy of an identity card, a medical certificate and a notarized consent of both parents or legal representatives for the participation of the child in the competition. Its cost is from 300 to 500 rubles.

Every year, all certificates are obtained anew.

Clothing

Many will be surprised, but motorsport is safe. Why? Everything is controlled here, including the equipment. Certain clothes are required for races. There are special requirements. The main thing is non-flammable fabric.

Even ordinary underwear is not suitable for training and competitions. It is necessary to buy special, which is not subject to combustion. Underpants cost from 2400 to 10 thousand rubles and more. Socks – from 2 thousand rubles. As you realize, one set is not enough. From a similar material will need a T-shirt and pants (pants). The first costs from 6 thousand rubles, and the second – 7700 rubles.

Each athlete has his own racing overalls. The cost – from 5 to 10 thousand rubles. Such prices can be found at sellers on services for the sale of used things. Branded uniforms will cost from 30 to 70 thousand rubles.

Ammunition

You will need racing gloves, the price – from 8 thousand rubles, boots for motorsports – from 12 thousand rubles.

An important element of the outfit is a helmet. Non-standard, it must have homologation. The price – from 40 thousand rubles. Periodically it needs to be cleaned, for this you can buy an odor neutralizer for 400 rubles. It needs a helmet, it will cost 1200 rubles.

As the child grows up or the equipment wears out, it is changed to a new one.

Training

The price will depend on the discipline, and also on whether motorsport is professional or not. The latter option implies rental karting. Such a run will cost from 500 to 800 rubles.

But everything else is much more expensive. Autocross costs 16-18 thousand rubles; rally, circuit racing, drift – 18 thousand rubles each. These are the prices for an hour of lessons. The price includes renting a car and a track. Several such trainings are needed per week.

There are individual and group classes. This also affects the cost. As in other sports, of course, private is better. Although any coach periodically gathers a few guys to practice elements – starts or overtaking.

For children’s sports there are several organizations, for example, “Perovo”, “Khimki”. They are supported by the local administration of the city and district. Children here are provided with a free track.

Car

Rent will be much cheaper if the parents bought the child his own car. This, by the way, is the most popular option. The price depends on the class. On the cross for the youngest children – from 250 to 320 thousand rubles. The next class is already much more expensive – 400-550 thousand. A child from 10 years old needs one of these.

If you have an accident on a rented car, there is a fine – the amount depends on the nature of the damage. Taking into account the sanctions, today’s prices are higher.

What do the lessons give a child?

In spite of the prices, children should go to motor racing. Why? It is one of those sports that changes a child. During competitions and training, certain skills and character traits are developed.

First, children learn to make quick decisions, analyze and react quickly to changing situations. This is necessary when driving.

Secondly, you need serious physical fitness. That means you need to train separately, it is good for your health. Willpower, discipline and responsibility are also developed.

Thirdly, competitions develop the will to win, not to mention communication skills. Guys are always in a team of like-minded people. Communication is useful for all children. All this positively affects self-esteem and self-confidence.