Codrive Prices

[mcolburn]

For those of you car owners selling codrives, what types of agreements do you have with the person you have as a codriver?  Also looking for info how more is charged for Pro Finale/National Championships vs. NT's and Pro's vs local events/season. 

I am thinking about offering up a codrive seat, but have no idea what would be reasonable. 

Thanks!!

Matt

[pj]

Honestly I'd think it'd depend on the risk factor and type of car.  Stock cars should be quite a bit more durable, so maintenance and repair costs are lower.  I'd think anywhere from buying tires + splitting fuel costs would be ballpark for a base price.  With modded cars, that price seems to go up (also factoring that tires for the more heavily modded cars are much larger ).

[dhcernese]

consider:

consumables (tires, gas)
risk (high performance 500rwhp, who pays for a broken diff? usually the owner)
proven setup (has the car won a national championship?  is it capable of regional wins in it's class?)
expected verses unexpected occurrences (wear, failure, age, abuse)
other exchanges (contingency money, driving lessons, tow vehicles, etc.)

I've offered and received "daily" co-drives myself.  I'm also (obviously) in an arrangement for an entire season with FunHondas Racing.
Daily or 1-off is a different equation than seasonal or portions of a season.

IMO, PJ's right, for a season, start with one (or two?) sets of tires plus splitting gas + "wear & tear" factor.  No difference for the type of event unless you want to specifically include or exclude ProSolo because of it's launch.

Personally, I believe the car owner must bare the majority of the risk in any modified car.. ..after all, they retain the capital that is the car and it's mods.  The wear & tear factor has to incorporate risk and still result in an acceptable price to the co-driver.  You could always have an understanding the expected wear (or failure due to age) is covered by the owner and abusive use is covered by the co-driver.  Unexpected failures are sometimes unforeseen wear or design issues that are the owner's responsibility.  Sometimes they are abusive drivers. 

Every situation is different and subject to negotiation.  In the end, think equitable and affordable for both parties.  Some co-drivers bring other benefits-- experience, resources, opportunity.. ..all those things factor into the "price".

[pj]

Every situation is different and subject to negotiation.  In the end, think equitable and affordable for both parties.  Some co-drivers bring other benefits-- experience, resources, opportunity.. ..all those things factor into the "price".

If "opportunity" includes alchohol, then yes, that does factor into the "price".

[dhcernese]

If "opportunity" includes alchohol, then yes, that does factor into the "price".

whether alcohol is a resource or an opportunity depends on who is doing the drinking

[pzahornasky]

It also depends on what the co-driver can bring to the table.  If they can win you tires at every National level event, then the $$$ paid out may be less.  Certainly, who gets the tires/contingency money should be discussed so there are no mis-understandings.

My basic deal with Jenna at the Tour is that she was to get the Mazda money and I was to get any tires.  Plan was working great until Judith pulled one out on her last runs of each day. 

[mcolburn]

Thanks for all the info guys!

Didn't even think about the contingency money/tires.  Tires are basically my main concern with a codriver.  I am willing to take 100% responsibility for the car (gas, mods etc), but tires would be the big thing for me.  The car (sans driver) has been proven competitive.  I think it would be a good ride for someone once I work out the tire issue.

[mikeshields]

Long term, general wear and tear is covered by the owner IMHO, but catastrophic damage is covered by who was driving – where catastrophic is running the car into a light pole, off course and breaking something, flipping it, etc.

Short term, I'd either factor in an insurance amount into the rental price or bargain for repairs if something is broken.

For example, when my subframe mounts broke before Toledo last year, the car went home with me and we found Chris a ride for the event. I fixed it on my own since it was general (but extreme) wear and tear.

When PJ drove the car at the Finger Lakes Pro and decided to mow down half the course ( ), thereby breaking the underbody panels, he bought new ones.

[Beans]

Tires are basically my main concern with a codriver.  I am willing to take 100% responsibility for the car (gas, mods etc), but tires would be the big thing for me. 

im in the same boat as you regarding tires.  I cant figure out what would be a fair price to charge for both parties.
My first co-drive offer netted me $50 at a national tour which is well below what Id consider doing it again for, but I was a noob to negotiation and didnt care at the time.
It would be great to find a top notch co-driver to push you harder than you could yourself and help pay for the national travel costs, without that, I could care less if anyone ever drove my car

[Bill B.]

The deal I have going on right now seems to be working.
We split the tires
I bought and modded the car
He helped over the winter while I worked on it
He changes the tires at the races (this is huge for me because of back problems)
He throws me some $$$ for gas once and while and brings a full gas can to the races

[ChrisFranson]

The other thing to remember about contingency is that it's taxable income, so if the arrangement includes the car owner getting all contingency awards, the co-driver will be going out of pocket come tax time.
Like any relationship, if one party feels that the deal is inequitable, you need to renegotiate; every co-drive deal seems to be different. It shouldn't prevent the driving from being fun and can actually be a good way for both drivers to gain. Just ask Mike about his jacket collection. 

[pj]

So looking at your jacket collection, is there a renegotiation in the works?