Pre race checks

[Jeff 8]

Originally Posted by THR

race meetings might run 20mins ahead sometimes, might take wot 10 mins to put feul in? but u need to warm engine perhaps 40mins before due out and in holding area.

Wow, I've never seen a race meeting run ahead of time. I've seen plenty run late.

Jeff

[THR]

it does happen.. not very often i know lolol.. brands hatch FF festival did,... was amazed too!! a whole race ahead, like half hour!

[Alan Cherry]

Most of it's already been said. for the car, I always have all four wheels off and clean them- check wheels and tyres for any damage. with the wheels off, you can do a thorough check on suspension and brakes. I have to make a list which comprises of car things to do/check. Towing van/trailer things to do and check,plus tools fuel for van and car etc. kit -is everything there and clean.- paperwork check - entry details,licence,commentators information sheet,club membership cards etc.
When going abroad, it gets far more complicated, as you need all travel documents,ferry/tunnel tickets, insurance ,licence, breakdown recovery details, log book,hotel booking details, funny money etc etc. Fortunately I've only ever competed in the EU, so you don't ned things like carnets, inventories etc etc.If all is well with the car from the last race, I normally start the weekend before the race ticking things off the list. I like to spend the time in between races, just checking tyre pressures, wheel nuts, andoil and fuel levels (plus brakes and power steering etc). I'm amazed at how many people seem to unload their car off the trailer in exactly the same state as it went on after the last race, then seem to spend the whole day working on it !

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by Alan Cherry

I'm amazed at how many people seem to unload their car off the trailer in exactly the same state as it went on after the last race, then seem to spend the whole day working on it !

Bad day at the races is much better then a Good day at work.

[R59]

Cripes where do I start.....

When I ran the ASCAR, it was a full spanner check, and close inspection of all rose joints.
Clean out the cockpit (fills with rubber, and general grit & dirt)
Drain the oil tank and replace.
Check gearbox/diff oil levels - change after 500 race miles.
Check power steering fluid level.
Check water level - if required - top up with water/wetter/summer coolant mix.
Check security seals (make sure they're intact!!)
Check for leaks.
Drain fuel tank (should be done before loading after race so it doesn't evaporate!)
Check race tyres for damage - any trouble = new boots.
Check wheels for any run-out.
Tidy and re-paint nose section (it used to get hammered by stone chips!)
Check plug leads for heat damage - replace as required.
Check rotors/hubs for run-out. Strip/Check wheel bearings - re-pack with new grease, tighten and re-check.
Check/deglaze brake pads & rotors.
Check steering rack for play, check steering wheel quick release.
Check gear shifter for clean shift & play in rose joints.
Re-charge battery, and boost start pack.
Check block heater, check oil heater, check cooling fan, check diff pump, check/clean all hose lines.
Check seat mountings, check harness.
Check radio & helmet set.
Check fire extinguisher pulls and gauge.
Check electric cut-out & pulls.
Check windscreen - clean inside with anti-mist stuff.
Polish/wax bodywork. Check graphics / add - remove as required.

On race day, it would be :
Quick spanner check, quick wheel / brake rotor check. Check fluids, fill fuel. Radio test.
1st Practice.....
Strip/re-pack wheel bearings. Check fuel level - top up, check oil, etc...
Check brakes, tyres. Radio test. Clean/Polish
2nd Practice
Ditto.
Qualifying
Ditto.
Race 1.....
Ditto.
Race 2.....
End of day - drain fuel tank, load on trailer. Go home.

When I ran the Nova Sport....
Kick tyres, dip oil, drain catch tank, check fuel, check wheels. Go racing.
Life was easy then.

I won't even start with the Belmont. It's a case of check, drive, break, fix, bash, kick, swear, check, etc.....

And AU - what's this - cool suit? Don't you have air conditioning? (open window!) Pah!

[midgetman]

That's the beauty of a road-car-based racer like I run.

It was OK when I switched it off, it ain't broke so I won't fix it!

Seriously...before I go:

Vital fluids
Warm it up in the garden (nearest I have to a garage)
Brush the leaves out of it
Perhaps a couple of laps of the Crescent to check it's got 4 forward and 1 reverse
Brake pad/shoe life check
Tyre wear - enough pressure to get on the trailer?
Bolt check (ish)
Trailer inspection - vital if going a long way - & tow car service
Personal kit & licence
Tools check - I have one set for taking to races, one set for using at home so I don't need a check list
Spares check

After scrutineering:

Vital fluids (paranoia) incl fuel
Tyre pressures
Wheel nut torque
Last check of clips & locks
Strap in
Get out and check clips and locks again
Strap in

Between races:

Vital fluids (paranoia again)
Brake pad/shoe wear and change if needed

Oh, and I'm anal about keeping my hands clean. I crashed once with dirty hands and the nurses had to scrub the oil out of my fingers before stitching them :-( Ouch.

[Chris Y]

Originally Posted by R59

On race day, it would be :
Strip/re-pack wheel bearings.

There really aren't enough hours in the day for all that lot! But stripping/re-packing wheel bearings? That's too much to be doing on race day without a team with you - were the ASCAR's wheel bearings a trouble-spot, or was this more 'your thing' ?

When I ran the Nova Sport....
Kick tyres, dip oil, drain catch tank, check fuel, check wheels. Go racing.

That's more my style

[AU N EGL]

Or as my wife would say:

Kiss Wife
Get in
Start car
Go fast
turn right turn left
Win race
Kiss Wife

[Al Weyman]

Good point Chris its the same as this keep changing oil, why? Surely modern oils and greases go many thousands of miles between changes in fact wheel bearings maybe the life of the car. Sometimes I think it is just something to do.

[kelvin88]

I do absolutley nothing to my car on Sunday morning apart from tyre pressures and possibly roll-bar if the weather aint doing what it should.

Shop is for prepping car, Race tracks is for racing.

[Southern Man]

[QUOTE=dtype38] As for flushing brake fluid between quali and race, that takes me best part of 8 hours by itself.

QUOTE]

A very important ten minute task overlooked by many. Just a quick bleed of each caliper once the brakes have cooled down and you will be surprised at the little air bubble that you find.

[AU N EGL]

[quote=Southern Man]

Originally Posted by dtype38

As for flushing brake fluid between quali and race, that takes me best part of 8 hours by itself.

QUOTE]

A very important ten minute task overlooked by many. Just a quick bleed of each caliper once the brakes have cooled down and you will be surprised at the little air bubble that you find.

Plus fresh brake fluid into the caliper. Brakes work MUCH better after being bleed.

[dtype38]

I have a very high "fear of death" threshold!

Oh, and Happy New Year

[THR]

yea, y do the bearings need new grease so much? i aint heard that one b4!

so many things mentioned above that i just do anyway! it all just happens, there is no list lol..

one tip, touch is better than a look... (in all things ) but u cant see if a nut is loose, but u can touch it.