What spares and special tools do you guys take with you on the long-haul week ends? I'm trying to put a list of parts for the Thunderhill trip in 2 weeks. I want to prepared but don't have the cash or space to haul down every little thing.

Any ideas on the basics and must-bring items?

Greg


EDIT - BTW there is a city close by with access to Baxters, AutoZone etc. I'm not sure about Dealerships though...

 

I guess things that can go at innoportune times without warning or be damaged by lawnmowing that can ruin your weekend....

Distributors
Brake Calipers
Master Cylinder
Ball Joints
Tie Rod Ends
WheelBearing/Hub assys
Spare OE Suspension bolts

In addition to the usual array of stuff.....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I guess things that can go at innoportune times without warning or be damaged by lawnmowing that can ruin your weekend....

Distributors
Brake Calipers
Master Cylinder
Ball Joints
Tie Rod Ends
WheelBearing/Hub assys
Spare OE Suspension bolts

In addition to the usual array of stuff.....</TD></TR></TABLE>

a few things to add:

- clutch/pressure plate assy
- clutch slave cylinder & master cylinder
- extra pair of wheels/tires (in addition to your "regular" race set)
- alternator belt
- upper/lower rad hose(s)
- spare radiator
- alternator (or at least a good charger to charge up the battery between sessions)
- head gasket
- oil filter
- 8 qts oil
- set of drive axles
- set of spark plugs
- plug wires/dist cap/rotor
- timing belt
- spare front rotors
- (2) sets fresh front brake pads

at any given track event, i have quite a bit (most) of the above equipment with me....

if you have it with you, Murphy knows, and moves on to the next competitor, hopefully!!!

 

My theory on racing hondas is this.

- Buy two of the same car
- Prep one to desired level
- Take 2nd car, strip it, clean and prep all the parts (fresh bushings, wheel bearings, etc)
- Pack and store them in the trailer (you do have a pimpy enclosed trailer dont you?)
- Take shell that you stripped spares off of and keep in storage until you wad up car #1.
- Go racing

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My theory on racing hondas is this.

- Buy two of the same car
- Prep one to desired level
- Take 2nd car, strip it, clean and prep all the parts (fresh bushings, wheel bearings, etc)
- Pack and store them in the trailer (you do have a pimpy enclosed trailer dont you?)
- Take shell that you stripped spares off of and keep in storage until you wad up car #1.
- Go racing</TD></TR></TABLE>

In theory that would be a great idea. But if you're racing cars like an ITR it is pretty much going to be a $40-50K startup cost to get one car pimped out and ready to roll, and the next as a spare, plus enclosed trailer.

But the theory is exactly perfect. Wait until you wreck up car #1 and swap shells. Beautiful. The wrenching never stops...

 

What do you need spares for? Are you bringing a mech?

We are prepping the lawn chairs to watch your first ever time over and out of the crows nest.

 

Don't forget gear for the tow vehicle. Spare drivebelts, any required tools, jumper cables, bulbs for the trailer, fuses for the truck, and so on.

The usual array of stuff should be fine, as long as the usual array of stuff includes a lot of stuff. I'd say...

- spare calipers if you've got em
- spare driveaxles (ask me how I know this)
- spare MC
- spare distributor
- LOTS of zipties
- Hoses and belts

Anything much beyond the above and personally, I'd put it on the trailer and punt.

Also: go to Costco and get you some of those $5 plastic boxes. Put a bunch of your spare chit in them, and put them in the race car while you tow to the event. A useful solution to the "space in the truck" problem.

 

bulldog, this was a spares list I was building up back in March. Its grown to include other items since but this was the general stuff and most of it fits in a trunk I bring in the back of the Expedition:

spares list:
altenator (1) used
brake master cylinder (1) new
calipers (2) used
clutch cable (1) new
cap and rotor (1) new
drums (2) used
front and rear brake line (1) new
front hub (1) used
gasket set for engine (1) new
halfshafts (1) used
plug wires (1) new
radiator hose set - used junk stuff (1) new
rear brake cylinder (1) new
rear wheel bearing (1) new
reseal kit (2) new
rotors (2) new
spark plugs (4) new
stock 89 ECU (1) used
timing belt (1) new
uprights (2) used
water pump (1) new

as for tools, typically what I try to bring, i.e. remember (aside from the normal stuff):
joint separator
sledge hammer
pry bar

- can't really think of anything else off hand right now.

should add, additional bolts for all the stuff we are constantly taking on and off.

 

Nobody told me I'd need an extra 2K for spare chit!

I'm heading out on a wing-and-a-prayer...

Big box-o-tools
Rotors
Pads
Axles
Distributor
Hoses
Fuses
2 sets of tires
Spray and shine

God help me.

Greg ~ who doesn't have a pimpy enclosed trailer or a 10K Visa card...

 

the ultimate take-along....

A good friend who happens to race the same make and model car as you and who IS prepared with lots of spare stuff!!

Seriously, maybe you can "team up" with some other locals, sort of an "I'll bring the spare engine stuff, you bring the spare suspension stuff, we'll sort out the bills when we get home" deal.

You guys are making me want to stick with Auto-x more and more...
tool kit:
tire gauge
white shoe polish
spare parts:
..... run what'cha got baby!!!

 

The "boxes in the car" trick is a good one but a word of caution: Make sure that you don't put enough stuff in the back of the car that your trailer tongue weight goes low - or worse, negative.

Kirk

(who fears trailer crashes more than race car crashes)