Checklists

Before the Weekend

Checklist of things I tend to do before a race weekend, ideally not just the "night before"

Race car maintenance before, during and after races is a complex matter, and of course the success of a weekend heavily depends on the level of preparation. It typically begins with getting the car ready before the weekend. Once at the track, checking the car over before every session before you or the driver gets into the car is an important safety and confidence requirement.

After the session there's always the opportunity to check aspects of the car (i.e. compression) which requires the car/engine to be "hot". Obviously tire pressure at the end of the session ideally is checked coming right off the track, everything else in the paddock.

A great, or less great, weekend typically also ends up with a lot of work. Don't let things sit and wait until the prep starts for the next weekend. Get it done quickly, pickle the engine to avoid rusting (drain water to avoid the block/head to rust). And then there are the things that need fixing, and parts that need to be ordered to fix it. Check it soon, order it soon, and chances are the car might just be ready for the coming race weekend!

If you count yourself lucky to have a crew, use the at-the-track checklists and assign tasks so that everyone knows what to do, and check it off. Being social is part of vintage racing, just not in the middle of working through the check lists. Consider the thought that all 16 lug nuts should be torqued, not just 10 and then get distracted by the enthusiastic fan who admires your car and braveness of going on track!

After the Weekend

Stow away the gear and car, find a place for the trophy, and then get busy with the car!

Before the Session

When you get into the car, you want to have a clear head and be focused on driving. Make sure you don't remember something important (main power switch) AFTER you buckled in!

After the Session

Once you debriefed with your fellow racers, collected all the pieces that fell off the car on track, now it's time to see what else happened to the car.

Use resources at your own risk! We'd love to hear if you feel something is wrong, missing or not necessary, just send us an email