The high cost of competition

I had planned to attend my first NATS this year and have made reservations for the trip. I sat down yesterday and started to itemize what the trip would cost so I could budget for the trip. Boy was I shocked. After seeing the total cost I now have to reconsider, and will most likely not be able to make it.
Here is a breakdown for myself and my son who planned to go:

Hotels: 8 nights in Muncie @ $58/night + 2 nights in transit at Motel 6 @ $44/night = $552
Transportation: 2300 mi round trip from Colorado Springs = $240 fuel cost
Food $40-$50/day for two people 10 days= $400-$500
Entry fees, supplies, fuel, misc. =$150-$200
Total about $1500!!!
Also about 8 days of my vacation time is needed.
Well, right now $1500 is really not in the budget if we want to do a regular family vacation this year (and no, my wife and kids aren’t excited about going to Muncie for a vacation)
Somehow I really didn’t expect this to add up to this extent, when I first made plans. Looks like I will have to start a year-long savings plan if I want to plan on going in the future.
Brian

Hi Brian,
I know what you mean. It CAN cost a LOT to go to the NATS or some other big contest a long way from home. I will not be flying in the Nats this year, mostly for economic reasons. I am planning on going to the WC, Brodak's, and our local Huntersville meet in a couple weeks. WC because they only seem to get here every 20 years, Brodak's because it is the MOST fun I have ever had at a meet, and Huntersville becuase it is our local (albeit over 100 miles away) meet.
I could not afford (on several levels) another 6-7 days of being gone to fly at the Nats.
It's really too bad, for some, that the NATS does take so long, but it IS the National Championships. FWIW, I would rather go to Brodak's! More pure fun, less stress, GOOD free food, and all the comraderie that the Nats has, but with out the nerves. Just my opinion.
Bill <><

Well, Brian, unfortunately taking a trip anywhere costs money. We are one of the fortunates in that distance isn't as far, but it costs just as much once you get there.

One thing, there are cheaper motel situations, and one can get by with less spent for food. Some motels in the price range you list have free continental breakfasts (or even better than that) and then you can get by for $15 a day each for food. Or buy breakfast (an inexpensive meal) and find a cheaper motel (which may not be possible at this late date). There are "Ma and Pa" Motels around and you can get weekly rates in some places. Even your $200 for entry fees, fuel, and misc. may be a bit high unless you tend to go to all the hobby shops around (in which case it may be ultra conservative.)

But you bring up an interesting conclusion considering another thread that is currently on the board. The minimal added fuel costs are not what make or break the budget. And you haven't even factored in the cost of the plane, the engine, the practice time, etc.

>And you haven't even factored in the cost of the plane, the
>engine, the practice time, etc.

If you count those expenses, this is can really be an expensive hobby. But not as much as some.
It's a pity that so many of us don't have bottomless pockets! LOL!!
I got a lot of "stuff", but it amazes me how much some of the other guys have, and buy.
Bill <><

Brad,
I am sorry that you won't be going to the Nat's because they are addicting to say the least. I had a run of twenty years straight without missing single one and loved every minute. It is more like a family reunion than a competition but that is the end results. See old friends and making new ones is just part of what makes up the Nat's. Trying to improve your placing every year with an eye on being the Champion someday. To my way of thinking flying at the Nat's is no different than going to the big Golf tournament or a car race. If you have the desire to compete then it is all relative to what you want to do.

I took my family on most of my Nat's trips and they turned into a family vacation as well. We would go somewhere after the Nat's and do something together as a family. How many of you remember my daughters sitting on a blanket at the Nat's playing with their Barbie dolls? They were all special times.

Take care buddy and I hope to see you again soon,

Mikey
P.S. Alex would have a blast!!!

LAST EDITED ON May-25-04 AT 01:21 PM (CDT)
 
Brian,

I know what you mean. I seriously looked at going this year. But for me, it's 2200 miles (by shortest route) one way. Takes about 11 days of leave time (3 days each way + the week there and not counting weekends). Plus all the other expenses you've already outlined. For me it was going to be about $2300 if I went easy and with no reserve. Just not in the plan this year.

I can make 2 trips to California for contests on what it costs one way to the Muncie. Tough to argue with that.

Sigh.

Last time I was at the NATS I overheard some one Belly Aching about the "Long Drive " then I heard him say "from Iowa" since I drive from Seattle (2400 miles one way) I did not have much sorrow in my heart for this poor Lad. a man can stay home ,talk about planes,read about it or really expearance it. It's all where you are at inside, you know?
I wouldn't miss it for the world.