First PDX, What should I bring?

[van]

I'm thinking i need...
tire pressure gauge- do I run autox pressures?
brake pads- just in case I destroy my current pads?
torque wrench-?
gallon of coolant-?
water sprayer for intercooler-do I need it?
small bag of metric tools
lunch box w/ lots of water,food, and a couple of beers for when I'm done.
What else do I need? Anyone have a trackday checklist?

[Dean]

Hot track pressures = Warm/hot Autocross pressures. Set after each session. First session while learning track is probably OK at street pressures.

EDIT: Here is a compiled list from all the good ideas in this thread. This is a Summer at RFR list, not a winter at Laguna Seca list!

Don't get scared by this list!!! You do not need all this stuff, especially the car stuff as new drivers will seldom push their cars very hard and others will have and most are willing to lend tools/supplies for a price.

For people:

"People Box" Something to put your STUFF in that won't blow away and waterproof isn't a bad idea!

Sun goop
Long Pants
Long Sleeve Shirt (These are mandatory!!! You will not be allowed on track without them!)
Hat
Helmet (SNELL M1995 or better) [Some loaners may be available. Contact registrar]
Driving Shoes. Thinner non-slip soles are better.
Driving Gloves (if you prefer them)
Neck Cooler (REI) or Thin towel to wet down and put on the back of your neck to cool down.
Waterproof/windproof shell with hood. It blows and may thunderstorm!
Change of clothes, socks/shoes for driving home or if caught in T-storm.
Cooler
Food (Lunch, and quick energy snacks)
Beverages 1 Gal at least! (Sport, energy, water[often provided but be safe bring some of your own])
(Open Alcohol is not permitted until after the course is closed at the end of the day!!!)
Folding chair
Wind Proof Shade of some form if you have it. Focus on wind proof!!! It blows while you are on course and you won't be there to fold it up.
Something to write notes on and with if you want to record and later remember any readings like tire pressures/temps, track peculiarities; learnings; or someone's phone number .

For Stuff:

A box or bag to put all the stuff you pull out before tech. inspection in. (driver side floor mat, radar detectors, sub boxes, iPods, CDs, bowling balls, etc. Leave the big stuff at home) Windproof & waterproof suggested.

For car:
Before the event, check everything mechanical, rubber and liquid or have a mechanic do it!
Last thing you want it to run out of brake pads, cord a tire, etc...

CAR NUMBERS and/or Blue tape. All vehicles are required to have Unique per run group numbers! Cheap magnetic numbers may blow off at track speeds!

"Car Box" to hold all this crap and easily be pulled in/out of car. Water/windproof... Many just leave this packed with cheap tools, etc. refilling only as used.

GAS!!! Fill the tank before the event and check before/after each run group. You will use it faster than you can imagine. Some cars will go through a tank in 2 20 minute run groups.

Tire pressure gauge
Air pump
Pyrometer
Wheel chock or block of wood to keep car from rolling (e-Brake use not recommended.)
Jack if you think you might want to rotate tires.
Jack stands
Spare Brake pads. If you have < 50% we suggest swapping before event, you can always put them back in after.
Oil
Water (Distilled for radiator)
Brake Fluid
Power Steering fluid
Funnel
Rags
Glass Cleaner
Paper towels
Brake cleaner
Zip ties
Duct tape
Power inverter(If you bring 120v tools)
Soldering iron/Solder
Electrical tape
Aluminum tape
Hose clamps of various sizes
Rubber hose/fuel line
Known failure parts/gaskets you or your type of car commonly break/blow

[tom1977]

what dean said... dont forget the long sleeve shirt...
________
vapor genie vaporizer

[dsmith]

And also, each PDX car should have numbers on them, so throw in a roll of tape or something if you don't have an autocross numbers set.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by van

I'm thinking i need...
tire pressure gauge- do I run autox pressures?
brake pads- just in case I destroy my current pads?
torque wrench-?
gallon of coolant-?
water sprayer for intercooler-do I need it?
small bag of metric tools
lunch box w/ lots of water,food, and a couple of beers for when I'm done.
What else do I need? Anyone have a trackday checklist?

Just to touch on your ?'d items:

You'll want to run ~6psi below your target pressure when the tires are cold. A track session puts on about 6-8psi. Like Dean said, check them as soon as you come off track.

If you're low enough on brake pads to think you might need to swap them... just swap them before the event. Thick pads work better and wear slower than thin pads, as they're larger heat sinks. You can swap back later to finish off the thin pads on the street where you're not going to see the high temps.

Bring a torque wrench if you've got one. Best to be able to check the lugs w/o having to rely on someone else. You can be the savior to the guys that show up without one.

I'd suggest bringing a gallon or two of distilled water rather than coolant. If you're puking up coolant, having water to rinse things clean as well as top-off the coolant system is more useful than just having expensive coolant you're just going to puke up the next time the car overheats. Water in general is better than coolant anyway for how well it works, with the exception of the conditioners and resistance to freezing, both of which aren't going to be a concern at the track.

You probably don't need to bring out the water sprayer. Sure, the car is going to be hot hot hot when you come off course, but there's plenty of time for it to cool off in between sessions. The short turn around times that autocrosses have between runs don't exist at a PDX. A sprayer is only useful if you need to cool the car off quickly in order to work on something under the hood or on the brakes.

Finally, I'd add in a small bag of repair supplies: zip ties, duct tape, electrical tape, aluminum tape, various sized hose clamps, rubber hose/fuel line, any exhaust gaskets you commonly blow (for me, that used to be the header-uppipe gasket), some spare wire and cheapo soldering iron/solder, can of brake cleaner, can of glass cleaner, paper towels, and a few shop rags. Not to mention a quart or two of oil, and a bottle of power steering fluid, and a funnel. Also brake fluid if you might need to bleed them after swapping pads. At least, that (plus the other stuff you already mentioned) is what made up the contents of my pit box that I used to haul around for time trials events. Probably a bit over-kill for PDX... but there you go.

And as far as tools... I've found that I rarely need stuff like endwrenches or sockets (though I did pack a limited set of both). Fixes at the track tend to be related to scissors, pliers, cutters, and vice-grips. Certainly though, bring any specialized tools needed for adjusting/tightening suspension parts or replacing brake pads.

Also, just for reference to the other folks that might read this thread: Van's car is pretty heavily modified, so there's a much higher chance that he'll have some "bolts to tighten" during the day. Folks with unmodified cars can get away without all the tools/spares as it's very unlikely that they'll need to fix anything... and even then, the folks like Van (or me for that matter) that are coming more prepared will be able to help you out.

[dknv]

Wow Scott, that's a pretty good list.

Something to write notes on if you want to record and later remember any readings like tire pressures/temps, track peculiarities; learnings; or someone's phone number .

And for some impractical stuff that might help with comfort:

An energy drink for the end of the day. Because if you run every single session, you are probably going to be tired by 5pm.
Change of socks/shoes for driving home. (For those not using track driving shoes.)
Hat. (oops, Dean already said HAT.)
Thin towel to wet down and put on the back of your neck to cool down.

[dknv]

+ tire chock or piece of wood to keep your car from rolling when you park it (without using the parking brake).

[Dean]

Originally Posted by dknv

+ tire chock or piece of wood to keep your car from rolling when you park it (without using the parking brake).

Ah, especially for the upper paddock!!! Good call.

[van]

Thanks everyone for the input, I've got a bag and a box full of junk ready for Saturday.

[tom1977]

^ if there is anything you need now that you dont have, just ask. I am loading my truck up tomorrow afternoon with everything except what I might need...as always....
________
chevrolet corvair engine specifications

[Skyhorse]

cool if you folks bring all that stuff all i have to remember is to wear pants

[van]

Originally Posted by Skyhorse

cool if you folks bring all that stuff all i have to remember is to wear pants

You have room for two cars in that trailer right?

[Dean]

Bump. I compiled the list in post #2. Did I miss anything?

Should I make this this a sticky with maybe a little editing?

[dknv]

Does RFR have pump fuel? (Wasn't sure if it was reactivated.)

[BillH]

Originally Posted by dknv

Does RFR have pump fuel? (Wasn't sure if it was reactivated.)

Yes, but you have to get a hold of Danny to use it.

Maybe Dean should add "Fill your tank" to his list.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by BillH

Yes, but you have to get a hold of Danny to use it.

Maybe Dean should add "Fill your tank" to his list.

Added.

[tom1977]

^ yes, revise and make sticky. thanks dean!
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ferrari f430 challenge

[Cody]

What are you going to do with one jack stand.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by Cody

What are you going to do with one jack stand.

I use 1 jack stand all the time! Any time a body part is going under the car, it goes on a stand even if the jack is still in place. Very common working on 1 corner of the car.

I'll make it plural though.

[tom1977]

should you add "log book" for those who already have them?
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vapir no2

[Dean]

Originally Posted by tom1977

should you add "log book" for those who already have them?

I thought about that, but if you are reading this list, you don't have one yet.

And try to tell everyone to put it in their glove compartment so it is most likely to be with them at each event. Taking it in the house just ensures it will never make it back to the track.

[jim.gandy]

A word of caution regarding the post up there that talked about bringing a set of brake pads. IMO, NEVER GO ON A TRACK WITH PADS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN PROPERLY BEDDED! Unbedded pads can do all kinds of nasty things under severe conditions -- they can "liquify" at the pad-disk interface, they can sinter and turn to powder, the pad material can separate from the backing plate -- any of which will put you in the wall.

How do you bed pads? Check the maker's instructions first. If that's no help, a good basic procedure is to install the pads, then drive about four blocks at, say, 30 mph in second gear with your left foot moderately heavy on brake pedal. The idea is to get them really hot, stinky hot -- you'll smell them. Then, let them sit overnight.

This is by no means the final word on the subject -- anybody have specifics to share?

[Cody]

I always refer to Stoptech articles when the pad manufacturer doesn't give specific bed in procedures.

FAQ: http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_bedinfaq.shtml

At the bottom of that article there are links to 3 other articles that get into more specific things.

[Kevin M]

Originally Posted by jim.gandy

A word of caution regarding the post up there that talked about bringing a set of brake pads. IMO, NEVER GO ON A TRACK WITH PADS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN PROPERLY BEDDED! Unbedded pads can do all kinds of nasty things under severe conditions -- they can "liquify" at the pad-disk interface, they can sinter and turn to powder, the pad material can separate from the backing plate -- any of which will put you in the wall.

How do you bed pads? Check the maker's instructions first. If that's no help, a good basic procedure is to install the pads, then drive about four blocks at, say, 30 mph in second gear with your left foot moderately heavy on brake pedal. The idea is to get them really hot, stinky hot -- you'll smell them. Then, let them sit overnight.

This is by no means the final word on the subject -- anybody have specifics to share?

The only thing I would add is to make sure you can continue driving on them until they are cool, so you don't put pad deposits on your rotors while they're hot.

[BillH]

Originally Posted by Cody

I always refer to Stoptech articles when the pad manufacturer doesn't give specific bed in procedures.

FAQ: http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp_bedinfaq.shtml

At the bottom of that article there are links to 3 other articles that get into more specific things.

The StopTech procedures are the best I've seen.

The links for either street or performance bed in are the ones to follow.

And if yoy drive normally on the street (light to moderate brake use), it's a good idea to rebed the pads the day before an event.