Racecar Preparation

“Good luck is preparation meeting opportunity.” – Roger Penske

Racecar Prep

Prepare (v) – to put in proper condition or readiness.

• Planning!• Why do we prepare?

– Reduce problems, confusion, & stress– Improve results– Increase fun!

A little effort up front prevents a lot of pain and suffering later!

If you start the weekend behind – you’re always playing catch-up

What does it mean?• You’re organized• The car is ready before the weekend starts – “Well, we finally got the car on the

trailer about 2AM…” How? By starting early, not late.• The driver has a test plan before the car heads out on track – test session or

race. – How are you going to improve your driving this time out?

• Planning for the next session starts as soon as the car comes off the track.• Planning for the next race weekend starts as soon as the last race of this

weekend is over. • Common sense, applied methodically.• Have expectations, instead of questions. Know what’s going to happen – applies

to driving as much as it does to working on the car. • You can’t anticipate everything and things do break: Being organized helps get

the car fixed quicker.

Anticipate, don’t react. Maintain instead of repair.

Write it down!!!

How Do We Get Organized?

• Checklists and Procedures

• Racecar prep• Driver prep• Equipment prep• Trailer, tow vehicle

prep

Develop a routine

Checklists & Procedures• Checklists

– Use for packing, pre-session/on-grid, post-race, and between races (upgrades/repairs).

– Helps make sure the wheels stay attached and the hood stays down EVERY session!

• Procedures– To-do lists before next race. Vehicle condition, problems to be fixed

(handling, engine condition, temps, radio batteries, loose stuff inside the cockpit, etc). Don’t overlook minor things just because they’re minor.

• Data – write things down– Tires – pressures (hot and cold) with ambient temps. What tire pressure

do I run when it’s 60 degrees? What about when it’s 95? Mark heat cycles to keep track of tire age/usage.

– What else on your car should you keep track of? Tire temps? Suspension settings? Carb adjustment? Wing angles?

– Keep it all in one location/source – like a notebook stored in a toolbox. It provides one quick and easy reference to all of your notes.

Car Prep Points – Simplify!!!

• Paint pen markings on key bolts/nuts– No need for getting out tools to check for loose bolts.

• Routing plumbing and wiring– Avoid stainless braided hoses touching anything – support (Adel

clamps) or cover. Take time to think out hose routing when adding plumbing.

– Avoid wiring or rubber/plastic hoses rubbing on metal edges. As with braided hose – use supports/restraints. Zipties are cheaper than parked/broken cars.

– Vibration is the enemy!

• Loctite/Safety wire usage– Use Loctite or you’ll lose your nuts!!!– If Loctite doesn’t make sense, use safety-wire (eg: CV bolts)

Car Prep (cont’d)– What do you do to the rest of the car?

• Nut/bolt check– All suspension parts and any other critical bolts (engine mounts can

loosen, drivetrain bolts can start to back out, check anything that will ruin your weekend if it comes loose)

• Fluids topped off/bled, engine started before loading on trailer– If you’re going to the track, the car should be ready to hit the track!

• Suspension settings checked (alignment etc.)

• Engine/Drivetrain specifics checked – (valve lash/timing/belt or chain tension/any specifics to that vehicle)– Battery charged

– The “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” mentality does not work• If in doubt FIX IT!

Vehicle Wiring• Support wires near connectors, with adequate free length – no tugging on

connectors• Be mindful of ignition wire interference• Seal against moisture – use heat-shrink tubing, electrical tape is

inadequate. Would it work submerged?• If using crimp (no-solder) connectors, be sure to crimp with adequate force

– use the pull-test. Use self-sealing crimp connectors whenever possible (with built-in heat-shrink tubing).

• Use new wire whenever possible – insulation can crack or degrade (oil exposure etc), and copper can corrode underneath poor insulation (also wicking up under open ends) to cause difficult-to-isolate electrical problems

• Take care in selecting quality switches, bulbs, etc too! That $2 switch could cost a $300 race! It’s not worth it. Pro-built racecars use Mil-Spec switches – not as pretty, but durable.

• Keep it neat and out of the way. You don’t want to be fighting wiring when wrenching or getting in/out of the car.

• Mount it so that it can not be chafed by any moving parts. Avoid mounting to any moving parts if at all possible.

Driver Prep

• Have a plan every time you hit the track. Decide which corners to focus on, or what driving techniques need improvement, and spell out in advance how you’re going to do that. “I wanna go faster” doesn’t cut it!

• Pick one or two (non consecutive) corners per session to focus on. Have an idea what you want to try before getting there. Be methodical with what's going to change (where’s my brake marker at, turn in point, apex, etc)

• Prep your crew too – tell them clearly what you expect them to do, and when you want it done. This way, all you have to do is drive. It’ll be less stressful for you, and more enjoyable for them.

Equipment Prep

• Organize tools, spares and other gear for race weekends – loading 4 packed crates and a toolbox is much quicker and easier.

• Label it! Label toolbox drawers, gear crates, etc. Make it easy for your crewmembers.

• Store gear in a convenient place when at the track and keep it neat (none of the “where’s that 13mm socket gone?”) – space is limited, use it wisely.

Tow Vehicle Prep

• Tow vehicle - Same basic prep as your racecar – tire pressures, fluids, etc.

• Includes trailer too – check tire pressures, lights, brakes, etc., every time you hook it up.

Misc gear tips

• Other small items can make your weekend comfortable:– Canopy, chairs – and a table. Sunscreen,

umbrellas…– Jackstands with pads – but also bring a pad

for the jack, and ground pads for you to lay on too.

Driver’s School Prep

• Supplies

– Gas, air, food, beverages – air is usually available at the track; gas usually only for race weekends, so BYO. Concessions stand is also usually open, but when in doubt…

• Driver

– Get a good night’s sleep (car on trailer and tow vehicle packed!)

– Hydrate starting the night before!

– Good breakfast in the morning – you can’t think on an empty stomach, and you won’t learn or drive well either.

Putting it all together

• Develop good habits

• Anticipate, don’t react

• Maintain your equipment

HAVE FUN!!!