First Race -- what do you need to bring? (Page 2 of 2)

Extension cords and power strips. There will not be enough plugs for everyone.

My check list:

Is it in the shop?  Put it in the trailer.
Is it in the house and race related?  Put it in the truck.
Can I eat it or drink it?  The wife makes sure it goes too!
Miscellaneous chairs, tents, fans, etc, for the support staff is mandatory!
(Disclaimer:  At the May CMP race my racing shoes were left in the bedroom where I had been packing.  Thankfully one of our team had not left yet.)

Pretty much run through your mind what it would take to fix the following and write it down:

Front end collision, front side collision (either side), rear side collision(either side), rear end collision, catastrophic electrical fire in the car, gas tank puncture, fuel line rupture, engine fire or blow up, or the most serious, an angry Judge.  Include massive amounts of tie straps, duct tape, baling wire, bungee cords, and baksheesh.  Add the 4 largest hammers you can find, two lengths of 1 1/2" pipe about 4 feet long, enough heavy angle and channel iron to rebuild a frame for your car, and about 2 pieces of flat steel for plating.  This is your "Ought To Take" list.  If there is room, you can add other stuff

Have or borrow a generator and small welder and an acetylene torch.  I have not used either on our car, but did some emergency welding for a few other teams in the general spirit of Lemons.

I knew it would be a long list. Between car stuff, camping/food stuff etc.

MOST IMPORTANT THING TO BRING:

Humor, or at least a good sense of one, otherwise, it will be a long weekend (or a short one when the Court pulls your arm bands after 4 black flags)

I'd say the most important spares to bring are spare lengths of hose. We fabbed up a new PCV connector out of old radiator hose, fuel hose, F4 tape, and duct tape.

Second on the hose, as many different types and connectors as you can.  If you have any strange special tools you never use - bring them.  Someone there may need one and helping out other teams makes the difference.

Everyone has thier own methods, but here is what we do. 

First we have a master list of stuff to bring and who is supposed to be bringing it.  We keep it on-line so all members can access it at their homes.

We have everything that will fit in a bin, well, in a bin.  Each bin is labeled with with a number and what goes in that bin.  The reason for the number is all the info is on the lid and once removed you don't know what part is where.  We have corresponding numbers on the sides of the bin to keep the lids and bins properly paired with each other.

Each of our teams brings tools so we have spares of most stuff we would need for an 'll hands on deck' repair.

Bring a wagon or some sort of wheeled dolly to transport fuel from the paddock to the hot pits.  Fuel can get heavy if you have top carry it a long way.

Besides the car (as many have said) bring stuff to keep YOU comfortable.  LOTS of water, sunscreen, shade, food, chairs, etc.  If you and all of your team are spent the state of the car won't much matter.  Also bring extra clothes and rain gear for inclimate weather.  Being soaking wet all day will suck!

Most of all bring your sense of humor and have a good time.  Taking this too serious will spoil your weekend and others as well.

Ya know, I retired from roundy round racing 18 years ago, mainly because of all the bitching, whining and political posturing that goes on at ALL bullrings, but mostly here in Central Indiana.  Most of this was done with my son, my best friend and a lot of BS time bench racing in the shop.  Well, it is starting all over again, and I can't tell you guys what you already know...'THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE MOST FUN YOU CAN HAVE WITH YER CLOTHES ON'!  We're just getting started tearing apart our '91 T-Bird (yes boys we're bringing Detroit iron) and I haven't laughed, sweat, and bled this much in 18 years!  We're havin a ball!  But the best part is getting back together with my best freind after all these years and involving my 30 something son and step son in the project...how does 1 man get so lucky!

Lemons is a blast - but I do have to point out one mistake you've made here.

The most fun you can have with your clothes on is having sex with your clothes on.

Call a doctor if your erection lasts more than 4 hours.