Tackle - What do you take?
Discussion
Seasons Greetings!
For those that don't have a whole team of spanner men & helpers behind them, what would you consider to be the absolute essentials to take to every race? Assume that I've had the car through a pre-race prep for fluids, brakes, lines and hoses etc., and I'm just going to show up and don't necessarily have garage support every race. I need to compile a list and go shopping pretty soon now. Before any of you start with the funnies like "A car" or "a helmet", I guess an obvious start would be;
Gazebo/Awning
Set of wets on wheels
A spare slick and wet (on wheels)
Tyre inflator with gauge
Wheel wrench and torque wrench
Racing trolley jack
Axle stands?
Jerry Cans (how many, what type, where from)?
Fuel? I know Chanty buys rocket fuel
! Do you guys haul or pump at the venue?
Any essential spares?
Likely I'll be using a covered trailer not a race truck, so space may be an issue.
As always, your advice is invaluable and much appreciated
For those that don't have a whole team of spanner men & helpers behind them, what would you consider to be the absolute essentials to take to every race? Assume that I've had the car through a pre-race prep for fluids, brakes, lines and hoses etc., and I'm just going to show up and don't necessarily have garage support every race. I need to compile a list and go shopping pretty soon now. Before any of you start with the funnies like "A car" or "a helmet", I guess an obvious start would be;
Gazebo/Awning
Set of wets on wheels
A spare slick and wet (on wheels)
Tyre inflator with gauge
Wheel wrench and torque wrench
Racing trolley jack
Axle stands?
Jerry Cans (how many, what type, where from)?
Fuel? I know Chanty buys rocket fuel
! Do you guys haul or pump at the venue?Any essential spares?
Likely I'll be using a covered trailer not a race truck, so space may be an issue.
As always, your advice is invaluable and much appreciated
you forgot the 2 main essentials. gaffa tape and tiewraps!!!
to the horror of most people i use stock supermarket fuel and shell vpower if imfeeling flush. circuit fuel tends to be expensive!
the tools and spares you take depends on how much you can do.
its often the smallest things that can casue you an issue, so things like wire, switches and bulbs are something that can get you out of a hole.
i find a spare set of brake pads, old part worns are usefull if you unexpectedly run out of bakes, along with fluid to change if you over heat things.
oil, something to get water in
a box of assorted nuts and bolts, and a few spare rose joints
an electrical tester
after that the skys the limit. gearbox, radiator, drive shafts, wheel bearings etc
g
to the horror of most people i use stock supermarket fuel and shell vpower if imfeeling flush. circuit fuel tends to be expensive!
the tools and spares you take depends on how much you can do.
its often the smallest things that can casue you an issue, so things like wire, switches and bulbs are something that can get you out of a hole.
i find a spare set of brake pads, old part worns are usefull if you unexpectedly run out of bakes, along with fluid to change if you over heat things.
oil, something to get water in
a box of assorted nuts and bolts, and a few spare rose joints
an electrical tester
after that the skys the limit. gearbox, radiator, drive shafts, wheel bearings etc
g
V Power for me - I usually fill the car before leaving for the meeting with enough for qually and take 3 x 20L full jerry cans too (Demon Tweeks, Halfrauds or try the web). You could guesstimate consumption at about a litre a minute minimum as a rule of thumb - others will disagree though 
it obviously depends on engine size/tuning.
If your budget can stretch to it then get a cordless wheel gun (check out the web) - you will never regret it as it will save you both time and stress! I paid just over a £100 for mine 5 years ago - Tim and I share it and its been absolutely fine
Also get a decent tyre pressure guauge too if you don't have one - unsure if your post implied a combined unit.
Rainex & spare lubes/fluids for everything & a funnel or hand pump to refuel.
As G said a spare gearbox if you're running a T5 and have the room!
Good luck for the coming season!
it obviously depends on engine size/tuning. If your budget can stretch to it then get a cordless wheel gun (check out the web) - you will never regret it as it will save you both time and stress! I paid just over a £100 for mine 5 years ago - Tim and I share it and its been absolutely fine
Also get a decent tyre pressure guauge too if you don't have one - unsure if your post implied a combined unit.
Rainex & spare lubes/fluids for everything & a funnel or hand pump to refuel.
As G said a spare gearbox if you're running a T5 and have the room!
Good luck for the coming season!
Edited by Keithyboy on Thursday 27th December 15:02
wadsapple said:
Hi Mark,
I use a 7.5 tonner and most of the weight capasity after i have loaded the car, is taken up with stuff with which to make bacon/egg butties, well worth it in my opinion
I use a 7.5 tonner and most of the weight capasity after i have loaded the car, is taken up with stuff with which to make bacon/egg butties, well worth it in my opinion
I'm with you on that Perry. I don't do any spannering myself, so if something breaks and stops me racing, I'll be helping with the hospitality
!Happy to split the day rate/labour costs of a raceday support mechanic with someone else who's in a similar position? Just a thought.
It's always a good to bring a mate, preferably with some mechanical knowledge in general and of your car in particular! However there are always a few 'floating' mechanics to help out, who individually have more knowledge than you (by the sound of it), Perry and I will ever have combined! ! !
Welcome to the fun championship - colour-coded gaffa tape is best, I should know with a girly yellow car.
Richard
Welcome to the fun championship - colour-coded gaffa tape is best, I should know with a girly yellow car.
Richard
YRRunner said:
Keithyboy said:
Good luck for the coming season!
Many thanks Keith. Can't wait. I can think of little else at the moment. Is that normal?Edited by Keithyboy on Thursday 27th December 15:02
Edited by YRRunner on Thursday 27th December 17:46
My son, Dave, normally gives me a lift with the car at the meetings which is a great help. There are basic things you will have to learn to do yourself if you cant always take help with you. Things like checking and tightening rose joints, brakes, linkages, plug leads, fluids, etc etc need to be attended to before EVERY race. Generally we take the following:
6m x 3m easyup shelter with side sheets. We use the spare wheels to hold it down
Set of wets on wheels
A spare set of slicks
Twin cylinder tyre pump, good quality gauge
Cordless buzz gun for the wheel nuts
A couple of racing trolley jacks
4 Axle stands
A tool box with various sockets, rachets, spanners, drivers, pliers, grips, bars, pop riveter, allen keys, lights, brake bleeding gear, modified tools for specific jobs, electrical tools, brass brushes,feeler gauge, drill bits, cordless drill, jet cleaners, etc etc
Power pack just in case battery flattens
4 jerry Cans (20L from machine mart)
Extension leads and various connectors
Hose pipe and various connectors
Basic Spares
A few rose joints (had to change 3 last season at the track, between races)
Oil, brake fluid, gear oil etc
Bulbs
cut off and fire extinguisher pull wires
Spare race numbers
Spare fuses
Spare wheel nuts
Plug leads
Spark Plugs
Brake pads
Throttle cable
Red top fuel pump,
Rocker cover gaskets
Various nuts, bolts, fixings, gaffa tapes, tie wraps, bits of wire, electrical connectors, pop rivets, bits of brackets, Carb gaskets, seals , O rings, copper washers, bits of pipe, bits of wood, sheet of thin ali plate,
That is all I can think of at the moment but there must be more as we have to take the hilux as well as the motorhome to get all the kit to the track!
Oh....the most important item to take with you is a WOMAN to look after you, cook your meals, tidy up, remind to you to have a wash, limit your beer intake etc etc
6m x 3m easyup shelter with side sheets. We use the spare wheels to hold it down
Set of wets on wheels
A spare set of slicks
Twin cylinder tyre pump, good quality gauge
Cordless buzz gun for the wheel nuts
A couple of racing trolley jacks
4 Axle stands
A tool box with various sockets, rachets, spanners, drivers, pliers, grips, bars, pop riveter, allen keys, lights, brake bleeding gear, modified tools for specific jobs, electrical tools, brass brushes,feeler gauge, drill bits, cordless drill, jet cleaners, etc etc
Power pack just in case battery flattens
4 jerry Cans (20L from machine mart)
Extension leads and various connectors
Hose pipe and various connectors
Basic Spares
A few rose joints (had to change 3 last season at the track, between races)
Oil, brake fluid, gear oil etc
Bulbs
cut off and fire extinguisher pull wires
Spare race numbers
Spare fuses
Spare wheel nuts
Plug leads
Spark Plugs
Brake pads
Throttle cable
Red top fuel pump,
Rocker cover gaskets
Various nuts, bolts, fixings, gaffa tapes, tie wraps, bits of wire, electrical connectors, pop rivets, bits of brackets, Carb gaskets, seals , O rings, copper washers, bits of pipe, bits of wood, sheet of thin ali plate,
That is all I can think of at the moment but there must be more as we have to take the hilux as well as the motorhome to get all the kit to the track!
Oh....the most important item to take with you is a WOMAN to look after you, cook your meals, tidy up, remind to you to have a wash, limit your beer intake etc etc
Edited by NTEL on Thursday 27th December 20:04
mark why dont you find out who ran the car before and talk to them, and maybe get them to help you for a test day / first couple of races it will make things much easier and less frustrating. They are also likely to know what if anything needs doing to the car to prep it.
If the cars run recently it can only be one of a handful of guys that have looked after tuscans recently and I'd value the input of anyone of them. It probably some of the best money you could spend
Doing your first race on your own, especially with something as quick and fiesty as a tuscan can be a bit of a challenge on its own without having to run the car as well, It goes with out saying that everyone will muck in if you have a problem but much less stressful to have someone to look after you to start with.
G
If the cars run recently it can only be one of a handful of guys that have looked after tuscans recently and I'd value the input of anyone of them. It probably some of the best money you could spend
Doing your first race on your own, especially with something as quick and fiesty as a tuscan can be a bit of a challenge on its own without having to run the car as well, It goes with out saying that everyone will muck in if you have a problem but much less stressful to have someone to look after you to start with.
G
Graham said:
mark why dont you find out who ran the car before and talk to them, and maybe get them to help you for a test day / first couple of races it will make things much easier and less frustrating. They are also likely to know what if anything needs doing to the car to prep it.
If the cars run recently it can only be one of a handful of guys that have looked after tuscans recently and I'd value the input of anyone of them. It probably some of the best money you could spend
Doing your first race on your own, especially with something as quick and fiesty as a tuscan can be a bit of a challenge on its own without having to run the car as well, It goes with out saying that everyone will muck in if you have a problem but much less stressful to have someone to look after you to start with.
G
My thoughts exactly Graham, given my 'gringo' status. Advice heeded, welcomed and much appreciated If the cars run recently it can only be one of a handful of guys that have looked after tuscans recently and I'd value the input of anyone of them. It probably some of the best money you could spend
Doing your first race on your own, especially with something as quick and fiesty as a tuscan can be a bit of a challenge on its own without having to run the car as well, It goes with out saying that everyone will muck in if you have a problem but much less stressful to have someone to look after you to start with.
G
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