What to bring to an HPDE?

[eightcount]

I attended my first HPDE this past Monday at Monticello. It was a blast and I'm already signed up for the 9/24 run. As I was pulling into the south paddock I noticed the wide array of gear other drives had. From canopies to tires and of course tools. As I was removing my gear, a handful of road maps and a bumper buddy, I thought I may have come unprepared.

I'm running the car completely stock. Are there essentials that should always be brought in case of emergency or just to make life easier?

Thanks

[pixelblue]

bring a wrench to make sure your lug nuts are tight after each run and an air pressure gauge. other than that I bring a big cooler with lots of hydration.

[The HACK]

1) Drinking water. You'd be surprised how much energy you expand and how quickly you dehydrate while driving on the track. Dehydration leads to inability to focus. Inability to focus leads to mistakes. Mistakes, will cost you.

2) Tire pressure gauge. You need to keep a close eye on the tire pressure of your car, if for nothing else, low tire pressure causes the tires to lose grip quickly, and high pressure creates smaller contact patch. Either way it leaves a smaller margin for error.

3) A proper torque wrench. Lug nut/bolts expand and stretch when subjected to the stress of driving on the track and heat. Check your lug nut/bolt torque before and after every session.

4) An open mind and a willingness to learn.

Stuff to leave at home:

1) Ego. You are NEVER as good of a driver as you think you are. Trust me on this.

2) Any personal problems, work problems, relationship problems. If your head is not 100% in the game, then you are better off staying home.

I've found that the typical folks you'd see at these track events are usually friendly and will share tools, so it is not always necessary to bring the entire garage full of tools. There's always a guy there willing to lend a wrench, a jack, or an extra bottle of motor oil. So I've never really obsessed about what tools to bring, I usually just bring what fits in the trunk without spending an hour unpacking, so typically it consists of my Craftsman 120 piece tool box (assorted bits and wrenches), a bottle of 10W-60 which is required for my car, a duffle bag for change of clothes, helmet, gloves, and shoes; torque wrenches (1/2" drive for the wheels, 3/8" drive for other assorted fasteners, and a 3/8" micro torque wrench for, god forbid, engine work) and breaker bar, spare set of brake pads, two fold-away camping chairs, sun-block, 6 pack of Gatorade, and a good analog tire pressure gauge with a bleeder valve. If I need anything special there's ALWAYS someone at the track that has it that I can borrow from, and if anyone needs my tools I'd always be glad to lend it.

[Evice]

Below is my track prep. check list.

Chairs
Tarp - to cover things if rains (supposed to)
Coolers (1 med/big one for drinks/food)
Jack and Jack Stands
Race Ramps
Brake bleed kit
Extra brake fluid
Helmet
Tech forms (put it in your glove box now!)
Socket set, allens, Torque wrench etc.
Gloves (work and disposable)
Digital camera / video camera /Camera mount
Tape (Duck, electrical, etc)
Cable/zip ties
Laptop (1)
Some car/window cleaning items
Tire gauge
Other… (drinks, snacks)
Other Tools, misc.
Plugs/Chargers/Cables: Car and home
Extra brake pads
Extra oil
Work lights
Flashlights / head lamp
Cordless Impact Gun
Air compressor for tires

Proudly I can fit all of this into my 1er.

[Sdracing]

I would bring a car jack, tools to change brake pads, and an extra set of front brake pads just in case.

The one thing that can wear down quickly is front brake pads. Even if you get cheap pads from autozone, its nice to know you have an extra set on hand just in case.

[VMRWheels]

Originally Posted by The HACK

1) Drinking water. You'd be surprised how much energy you expand and how quickly you dehydrate while driving on the track. Dehydration leads to inability to focus. Inability to focus leads to mistakes. Mistakes, will cost you.

2) Tire pressure gauge. You need to keep a close eye on the tire pressure of your car, if for nothing else, low tire pressure causes the tires to lose grip quickly, and high pressure creates smaller contact patch. Either way it leaves a smaller margin for error.

3) A proper torque wrench. Lug nut/bolts expand and stretch when subjected to the stress of driving on the track and heat. Check your lug nut/bolt torque before and after every session.

4) An open mind and a willingness to learn.

Stuff to leave at home:

1) Ego. You are NEVER as good of a driver as you think you are. Trust me on this.

2) Any personal problems, work problems, relationship problems. If your head is not 100% in the game, then you are better off staying home.

This gentlemen has pretty much got it on the ball! Not much more will need to be said on top of this IMO... Bringing an open mind could be the best thing you can offer to your instructors as well as others driving around you on track.

-Charles@VMRWheels

[Sal@AUTOcouture]

Originally Posted by The HACK

1) Drinking water. You'd be surprised how much energy you expand and how quickly you dehydrate while driving on the track. Dehydration leads to inability to focus. Inability to focus leads to mistakes. Mistakes, will cost you.

2) Tire pressure gauge. You need to keep a close eye on the tire pressure of your car, if for nothing else, low tire pressure causes the tires to lose grip quickly, and high pressure creates smaller contact patch. Either way it leaves a smaller margin for error.

3) A proper torque wrench. Lug nut/bolts expand and stretch when subjected to the stress of driving on the track and heat. Check your lug nut/bolt torque before and after every session.

4) An open mind and a willingness to learn.

Stuff to leave at home:

1) Ego. You are NEVER as good of a driver as you think you are. Trust me on this.

2) Any personal problems, work problems, relationship problems. If your head is not 100% in the game, then you are better off staying home.

I've found that the typical folks you'd see at these track events are usually friendly and will share tools, so it is not always necessary to bring the entire garage full of tools. There's always a guy there willing to lend a wrench, a jack, or an extra bottle of motor oil. So I've never really obsessed about what tools to bring, I usually just bring what fits in the trunk without spending an hour unpacking, so typically it consists of my Craftsman 120 piece tool box (assorted bits and wrenches), a bottle of 10W-60 which is required for my car, a duffle bag for change of clothes, helmet, gloves, and shoes; torque wrenches (1/2" drive for the wheels, 3/8" drive for other assorted fasteners, and a 3/8" micro torque wrench for, god forbid, engine work) and breaker bar, spare set of brake pads, two fold-away camping chairs, sun-block, 6 pack of Gatorade, and a good analog tire pressure gauge with a bleeder valve. If I need anything special there's ALWAYS someone at the track that has it that I can borrow from, and if anyone needs my tools I'd always be glad to lend it.

+1


OP- I think we met at the event?

[eightcount]

OP- I think we met at the event?

Yes we did.