What do you bring to the track with you for a day of racing?

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340dartley

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I was curious as to what kind of equipment people bring to the track for a day or weekend of racing. Obviously you load up your race car and safety gear. What kind of spare parts do you bring? How many and what special tools? How elaborate of repair equipment? Generators, air compressors, welders, what ever? Obviously the answers will vary depending on the level of racing. Looking forward to your answers?
 
With just a SWB PU I would take of course the car and 16 ft trailer LOL, in the bed of the poor overloaded truck I would have---10X10 EZ UP pop up tent, Honda Spree pit bike, coleman 5HP generator, Two 5 gallon jugs one with fuel and one with water and a one gallon for the generator, Two Ice chest one with drinks one with food for 3-4 people, lawn chairs, box fan for hot days, small tool box with tools enuff to check over for loose nuts and bolts and minor stuff but I did all that at the shop prior to race day, no spare parts other than a few spark plugs and gaskets in the tool box...I went to race and NOT work on the car, two two wheeled battery chargers and extension cords for both, we ran two cars one for her and one for me. Sometimes a small grill for cooking although the home track concession stand burgers were second to none and a few other items Im forgetting for sure, oh yeah and a portable flood light for at night and what ever toys for the young one. I know Im still forgetting a few, safety stuff was rode in the car. Plan and prep all week long and go have fun on race day !!!
 
340dartley said:
I was curious as to what kind of equipment people bring to the track for a day or weekend of racing. Obviously you load up your race car and safety gear. What kind of spare parts do you bring? How many and what special tools? How elaborate of repair equipment? Generators, air compressors, welders, what ever? Obviously the answers will vary depending on the level of racing. Looking forward to your answers?
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as said..generator..battery chargers.. air compressor..timing light...remote starter...spare fuel pump..spare distributor..all cars have the same one...spare plug wires...spare msd 6al ....floor jack...jack stands..

extra oil...trans fluid.brake fluid..brake cleaner...bicycles...extension cords...ice chest..food and water.

as far as repairs...usually only fix minor stuff like rockers or pushrods...anything else it goes back on the trailer...Most of this stuff is in the lower compartments of the motor home so it is always there no unloading

I do benefit from only being 5 miles to my garage from home track...so If I need anything it is only minutes away....now if we go out of town...I bring the kitchen sink
 
Here's a better question : what's your combination? Trailers are nice, absolutely essential in really quick rides...Whatcha got?
 
I have a high 11 second Dart that is trailered to the track. I was loading stuff and felt like I was bringing everything and the kitchen sink. Talking to my friend and previous owner of the car , he had the opposite approach. He would bring the car, a basic set of hand tools and fuel . He felt that if anything went wrong it was just better to load up and go home and take time to fix it right rather than thrashing in the pits . He brought almost no spare parts.
 
340dartley said:
I have a high 11 second Dart that is trailered to the track. I was loading stuff and felt like I was bringing everything and the kitchen sink. Talking to my friend and previous owner of the car , he had the opposite approach. He would bring the car, a basic set of hand tools and fuel . He felt that if anything went wrong it was just better to load up and go home and take time to fix it right rather than thrashing in the pits . He brought almost no spare parts.
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Opinions will vary. All depends on your approach to racing. Are you there just to have fun? Maybe win a round or two? Just want to enjoy the day? talk with people etc. Then you wont need too much. But I would say as others did, the basics. Fuel, water, air tank, basic tools, battery charger a must if you have electric fan. And maybe most importantly a Lawn chair! Lots of down time at the track! I used to bring jets, plugs, and extra rocker arms , header gaskets, etc. But trust me most guys at the track will be more than willing to lend you something or help you out, if something goes wrong! Just remember safety is always first. if car is running be in it. If car is jacked up, use jack stands! Oh yeah don't forget tire patch kit..............you never know what you might run over in the pits and slicks pick up everything.
 
I bring a cooler of drinks, some snacks, a timing light and timing tools, my laptop to program the MSD box and a portable compressor. Plus a small, modern power pack to charge phones and laptops, etc. I go light and I drive to the track.
 
I guess it all depends on how far you're travelling. I don't want to drive 300 miles to a 3 day race and have to turn around and come home on day 1. I have a large rolling toolbox that gets bungeed in the front of the trailer. Most of my tools are in it. I roll this into my shop when the car comes out. Floor jack, jack stands, impact wrench, fender covers, wheel covers with magnets in them. Tarp in case I need to adjust something underneath. I carry extra Holley bowl gaskets and gaskets for adjustable needle/seats. Shop towels and hand cleaner. Marking paint for ET changes, cover for shift light, some kind of weather measuring device, at least for temp and humidity. Portable radio for track announcements in case you can't hear the PA. Box fans for cooling the car AND you. Spare trailer tire. I need a laptop if I need to change timing on my setup, so I bring a Surface Pro along. The little flashlights on a headband are fantastic after dark, I wouldn't be without one! Mosquito spray!
 
RockinRobin said:
I guess it all depends on how far you're travelling. I don't want to drive 300 miles to a 3 day race and have to turn around and come home on day 1. I have a large rolling toolbox that gets bungeed in the front of the trailer. Most of my tools are in it. I roll this into my shop when the car comes out. Floor jack, jack stands, impact wrench, fender covers, wheel covers with magnets in them. Tarp in case I need to adjust something underneath. I carry extra Holley bowl gaskets and gaskets for adjustable needle/seats. Shop towels and hand cleaner. Marking paint for ET changes, cover for shift light, some kind of weather measuring device, at least for temp and humidity. Portable radio for track announcements in case you can't hear the PA. Box fans for cooling the car AND you. Spare trailer tire. I need a laptop if I need to change timing on my setup, so I bring a Surface Pro along. The little flashlights on a headband are fantastic after dark, I wouldn't be without one! Mosquito spray!
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In the spring and fall it's a must!!!
I'm the one that bring too many tools and when something happen..............It's alway the tool or part i left home.:BangHead::D
 
Just some random spare parts and a few friends to help out. Is this overboard? Too bad I only drove it towing to tech and back from the top end. Saved a bundle on diapers that way though.

jfr pit working.jpg
 
Haha after our phone conversation last night I couldn't resist.
 
5 gal for gas for the car, 2.5 kw generator, battery charger, track tool box with just enough tools to lash valves, and very minor work (I go to race not work on the car), spare plugs, cap, wires, rotor, carb jet assortment, floor jack, torque wrench for lug nuts, timing light. Tire air pressure gauge.
 
Everyone there has been in the same boat. They need something they do not to have. Most will gladly loan/sell you something if needed.
 
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fklskv said:
Everyone there has been in the same boat. They need something they do to have. Most will gladly loan/sell you something if needed.
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Yup. Bring common failure parts that are reasonable replaceable and portable. Other than that I'm either done for the day/weekend or better find somebody with a better parts stockpile than me. Track+car folks are generally helpful-one of the reasons I've always enjoyed the track.
 
340dartley said:
I was curious as to what kind of equipment people bring to the track for a day or weekend of racing. Obviously you load up your race car and safety gear. What kind of spare parts do you bring? How many and what special tools? How elaborate of repair equipment? Generators, air compressors, welders, what ever? Obviously the answers will vary depending on the level of racing. Looking forward to your answers?
Click to expand...


Usually the top section of my roll around toolbox,aluminum jack,jack stands,timing light,jets,a couple of quarts of oil/tranny fluid extra set of valve cover/intake gaskets,tire pressure gauge,blankets to lie on if needing to work under the car,cool water soda (beer for back at the hotel) food and the grille(we like to cook our own stuff and a good attitude:):)
 
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