Reader Submissions: The World Racing League Might Be The Perfect Affordable Racing Series

The World Racing League Might Be The Perfect Affordable Racing Series

By Petrolicious
March 20, 2017

Story and photography by T.C. Worley

To my left a silver Boxster sits empty, its crew—all in race suits—huddles around the rear of the car with arms crossed. Behind it them lies a neon green Crown Vic, a once-sedan that now sits on a shortened frame. The driver is watching me through the safety net. On my right a digi-camo-wrapped E30 squats menacingly like only a race-prepped vehicle can. This is a typical mix at the starting grid at a World Racing League (WRL) endurance event, and my weekend at the Circuit of the Americas just outside Austin, TX proved why the series is some of the most fun and accessible genuine racing to be found the world over. 

You won’t find massive haulers and enough tires to last a lifetime here: WRL is an amateur racing league, and the events draw everyday car guys jonesing to race, and gives them a place to duke it out in a safe, affordable, club-racing-style setting. As racing leagues go, WRL is a few ticks above your entry-level autocross, yet still far from pro.

Attend any event and you’re liable to see a MkII Golf chasing down a 944 wearing an ironic livery, or maybe a ’99 ‘Vette with a downsized van motor doing battle with a V8-powered 240SX. The on-track mix will be varied, and at times odd, but any driver will tell you it’s bonafide racing, and it’s becoming a field populated with modern classics that are driven hard instead of wallowing in a garage somewhere, rarely used. They may not be the best lookers—and they certainly aren’t stock “survivors”—but it’s hard to say they aren’t being enjoyed to their fullest potential.

WRL was born out of a desire for something similar to the ChumpCar series, but with a few tweaks on the rules, classes, and atmosphere. Founder Joey Todd wanted a place where enthusiasts could build true race cars and then go compete with other similar-performing vehicles. “Some of these leagues have constantly changing rulebooks and for teams re-investing in equipment, that gets expensive. You can build almost any car you like and come race with us.”

But not just any hack can show up and race in the WRL. Proof of seat time in a wheel-to-wheel racing situation or licenses from any reputable club or racing sanction is needed to compete. “We attract racers from all corners of the market: ChumpCar, Lemons, and even pros and driving coaches: it’s a real mix of characters,” Todd told me.

Since these are endurance events, most teams will have 4 drivers. As such, the costs get split 4-ways and a weekend of racing (excluding lodging, meals, etc.) is typically estimated to cost about $1000 per driver. All in all, when compared with other racing league financial strains, this is pennies. But cost is not the only reason to participate.

Matt Peterson, a WRL regular told me that “More than any economical or mechanical reasons, most of us here because we really love racing. It’s not a stepping stone to a higher race level, or fame, or any kind of money-making thing. We just want to race!”

Peterson also admitted that since there was no money on the table, car-to-car contact was limited. “Nobody is going to sacrifice a $300 fender for bragging rights.  If there was a prize purse, maybe, but nobody wants to spend all the money to race and then go home and repair the car every time.”

“The class system means you always have someone to race with,” driver Nick Johannes told me. “Clunker vs clunker, sports car vs sports car.” Johannes left leagues like ChumpCar to focus on WRL racing because it was a higher level of racing for one, and would actually end up being more affordable as well due to a lack of frequent rule changes that require cars to be modified with new or different parts. Though the cost savings are appreciated, it’s really about the racing for Johannes, the increased level of skill on the track. “Drivers are more experienced and predictable and that’s just more enjoyable, safer racing. It’s endurance racing, so to finish first, you have to first finish!”

When I pressed him as to what attracts him to racing, Johannes laughed “What else would I do? It’s the best and worst hobby in the world! Even after a bad stint, I’m soon asking when I can get back in the car!” It’s this kind of attitude that pervades the scene in the pits and the action on track, a sense that everyone here is in it for the pure joy of the sport.

#5 on WRL’s list of reasons for existing is this: “Keep racing fun and affordable for the vast majority of enthusiasts who are passionate about the sport.” From what I’ve observed, they’ve handily achieved it.

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jean-Michel
jean-Michel
7 years ago

Come on, does no one here know about the différence between it’s and its ?

993RSR
993RSR
7 years ago

WRL – come West!! I would love to see you add some events in California. Tons of great tracks and tons of racers out here. I’d love to do some of your events. Seems like the ideal place for club racers who want a fun enduro experience.

JTodd64
JTodd64
7 years ago
Reply to  993RSR

That’s the plan! We’re also looking for people in CA and the West Coast who want to help promote and operate events!

JTodd64
JTodd64
7 years ago

Sure karting is cheaper. But autocross is cheaper than karting. And in the long run, sim racing is even cheaper that autocross. It depends on what you’re looking for.

“Affordable” is a relative term. In the realm of road racing, WRL is the most affordable series around. Race what you have, no need to build a car to a limited/specific set of rules. Rules allow you to build a reliable car that can last a season or more. Share the costs with 3 or 5 (or more) other drivers. Tires that last a weekend. No-contact culture also helps keep costs down.

Any form of racing is fun, and many of us engage the sport at multiple levels. I play around in karts, HPDE and road racing. WRL specifically is a matter of bang for the buck and being accessible to the average/middle class car nut but still attractive to those who prefer to invest a little more in their hobby.

993RSR
993RSR
7 years ago
Reply to  JTodd64

You know what’s even cheaper than WRL, Lemons, karting, autocross, and even sim racing? Sitting at home on your ass all day until you die…

Christopher Cook
Christopher Cook
7 years ago

GS TRUE

GuitarSlinger
GuitarSlinger
7 years ago

The word ‘ affordable ‘ and racing in the same sentence is the very epitome of an oxymoron . Which is to say as with ‘affordable ‘ exotics … its the mythical unicorn on the horizon completely out of reach . Or to put it more plainly … they aint no such thing

Suffice it to say the only racing even remotely affordable is non-shifter GoKarts . Which also happens to be the best racing training and prep you’ll ever have . All for less than the tire budget of any automotive racing … stock or otherwise

Nasty Nate
Nasty Nate
7 years ago
Reply to  GuitarSlinger

‘Affordable’ is, obviously, a subjective term. In this series there are competitive cars with build costs south of $10,000 and per weekend costs around $3,000. I and many others consider that to be affordable. It’s OK that you don’t feel the same way.

Christopher Gay
Christopher Gay
7 years ago
Reply to  GuitarSlinger

Affordable is relative.
This looks like a heck of a lot of fun, although I did check the schedule and it is a bit of travelling to run a full season. It seems like they get nice full fields, which really make a difference in a sport, in my opinion.

Where I’m standing today, however, nothing beat karting with my eleven year old son. The personal challenge, the development of skills, but most of all the time spent together… all on a limited budget of both time and money.

Jonathan WC Mills
7 years ago
Reply to  GuitarSlinger

Though it pains me greatly to say it. I concur.

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