What's in your "save the track day" kit?
 

Hello all,

I started track driving last year, and I've been slowly assembling a few extra bits (e.g., caliper rebuild kit) to take to the track to solve emergent problems, but I'm wondering what you all have seen break, or alternatively, what you take to the track to make sure you make every session? (Besides the obvious tires, brake pads, oil, brake bleeding stuff, etc.)

Ignition coils? Belt? What say you?

Thanks all!

I found the key to saving a track day is to have all the tools necessary to service any part.

For example. I have a standard set of sockets and wrenches for the soul purpose of servicing my american made Willwood brake kit. They sit unused otherwise.

I have 2 spare, gold taped ignition coils and the necessary tools (ujoint extension, thumb ratchet, ect) to get the job done quick.

Another odd ball thing I carry is exhaust gaskets. One time, I had a little too much fun curb hopping at the Pocono infield and bashed my exhaust causing a gasket to blow out. I had to scour the auto parts gasket selection to find one close enough.

A spare set of pads is mandatory. I use the previous years used pads.

Wheel bearings and axles are other spare part to have although I have never had an issue with either.

I've never tracked, but plan to as well, so I'm in for the info.

From reading other's posts and gathering knowledge for a while, the coil packs seem to be a handy item as they are known to be trouble when tracking.

If Im driving to the track I keep it slim. If I tow then I bring the kitchen sink


If driving to the track- off the top of my head

• Optimized set of general tools (10/12/14/17 wrenches and sockets, extensions, bit driver, pliers, etc)
• 2-3 spare lug studs and tools to install.
• Spare brake pads front and rear.
• Usually spare rotors unless ones on the car are brand new.
• Brake fluid (though if there is a race shop at your track you can buy it there if needed)
• Zip ties, racers tape, exhaust repair tape
• I like to bring a matching spare wheel/tire if possible but this can be a tight fit

One of the track day organizers always jokes I am having a yard sale. I carry a lot of stuff because the better tracks in my area are about 3 hours away.

CV axles with new nut and retaining clip.
Spare lugs and studs
Ignition coil
ACC belt
Front hub loaded with studs
Spare set of brake pads
Fluids
Spare Idle pulleys
Exhaust gaskets
Tool kit with common sizes.

I have actually never repaired my car at the track aside from adding a couple zip ties. I have nursed a bad front hub home. Have helped others before though. One guy ran out of front brake pad and I happened to have a partially worn set of stock fronts even though I don't have stock calipers. Earlier this year I spent 2 hours at an SCCA TT event fixing another twin that had stripped front studs, had to unbolt the caliper and hub with the wheel attached and drill out the studs from the back to get the wheel off :bonk:

If you live in the northeastern US. An easy up tent is almost mandatory to take cover in the scorching heat, torrential downpours, or snow fall. Or all of the above on some weekends. All joking aside, a comfortable environment makes servicing the car much better.

I always bring a tarp too on top of a pop up.

I find that keeping on top of the maintenance and checking the car thoroughly after every track day is the best option. I just take a torque wrench, socket set, some basic tools and my tire kit with pyrometer, pressure gauge and a portable compressor and a Platinum AAA towing plan. I lost a motor due to the recall last track day so no extra parts would have saved me.

I don't have a good answer to your question. But what comes to mind when I read it is, "Maintain your car well. If you choose to modify your car, do it well with quality parts and attention to detail. And understand why you're changing it and how it will affect your car in every way." If you do that, chances are your need for a "save the track day" kit will be greatly reduced. Most of the time I see issues that end track days it is because they failed to prepare properly.
I'm sure I'm jinxing myself by saying this, but I don't think I've had a track day end prematurely over the last 20 years and ~250 days on track.

I was scared to say it in fear of jinxing myself. But since you did. I have almost 20k track miles on this car 50k total. I only had one coil go bad and the fluke exhaust issue as mentioned in my first post. Never missed a session I wanted to be in. I have track prep to thank. 100%.

All the tools I bring to the track (aside from the jack) fit in a small harbor freight tool bag.

Thanks all for the info so far! It is good to hear so many track miles being logged with so few big problems. I try to be careful in pre-event maintenance and prep, but being new to the track and new to working on my own car... mistakes are made. :-)

I have surprisingly never lost a coil either, my car being a 13'.

I did only make it 2 laps at an SCCA TT event before losing a motor earlier this year :mad0260:

I used to take a ton of spares to the track. No more! On the occasions when I had an emergency (fragged clutch, broken driveshaft, etc.), I never had what I needed on hand anyway. I keep it minimal (brake fluid and bottle/hose for bleeding, leftover track and/or OEM brake pads, quart of 5w30 synth). My club is pretty great and there's *always* someone with tools and extra hands to help out if/when things go wrong though...

ZDan - You've hit on part of why I posed the question - I've been using a "bring the kitchen sink" strategy, until it looks like I'm unloading a clown car filled to the roofliner like a game of Tetris.... only to use 10% of the stuff I bring (4 extra wheels, jack, jackstands, tools, fluids, cooler, popup, set of encyclopedias, end tables, espresso machine). And then I see the next guy into the paddock pull up, pull out a folding chair, and head to tech. Moderation in all things I guess. But I'm so loath to lose track time...

This is a slippery area.
Top down you drive the car to the track and hope for the best.
Bottom up you take a trailer with everything.
If you are a racer it requires a trailer, and still you will be looking for a friend with something you missed. Next time you will add that. Then you will need a larger trailer. Never ending. I also have an open trailer when i go top down.

That's a lap less than I got on my first and only (so far) track day with this car before my engine went too. Extra hurt as I'd bought the car, and got it prepped in time for the next competition because my previous car had gone into the wall (outside rear tire debeaded on turn in).

2019 was a bad track year for me... :brokenheart:

What went on the motor?

Spare pads, second set of wheels and tires, fluids.. Frankly, I don't intend to make any significant repair at the track. I get the car inspected every event and we replace anything that looks questionable. I also trailer the car so I can always get home.

Honestly I didn't bother to strip it down and find out for sure. Once the shop got the engine swapped for me I just wanted to go and hide. My track season was over because I just couldn't afford it after that.

Started throwing a smoke screen on the straight but sounded and felt like there wasn't a huge difference (maybe some knock? hard to remember). Limped it back to paddock trying to stay off the racing line. Stopped to talk to one of the marshals when I came off the track and it shut off. IIRC it did start ok at that point and drove back to my parking space. After that if I hit the starter she just basically made terrible sounds.

I've been kinda guessing that it spun a rod. The only thing non-stock about the car engine-wise is the injen intake the PO installed.

I forgot a BFH.

Ive smooched the tire wall and pushed in a fender. If you dont have a hammer to keep the fender from rubbing a tire, you're calling a tow truck (or putting it on the trailer)


IMO its best to think of the situations that you want to be able to fix at the track and work backwards.

did you have the recall work done prior?

Only had a couple of weeks to get the car ready as I was trying to complete my season in OTA under the same class. Didn't even know about the recall thing yet.

That is a drag for sure. I’m using an IAG short block Stage1 as it has a much better oiling system than stock along with the highly upgraded bearings rods and pistons, etc. also the Killer Bee oil tube which takes care of the issues the stock ones had.

You got a KB pickup that fit???? Mine was 1/2 inch too long.

A backup car.

:clap:

A torque wrench for your lug nuts. 89 ft/lbs. After 30 plus track days mine have never broken.
Also make sure your oil level is at least at the top mark on the stick to prevent oil starvation during hard cornering.

Spare set of wheel/tires, pads, coilpack (2013 woes), motor oil and basic tools. Keeping an eye on oil level is wise. I also keep it near the top mark. Prior preparation is key to finding issues, before they become problems at the track.
No trailer for me. Much simpler to that way.

I went searching for some kind of track-kit thread. Lo and behold...





Haha.... prophetic. :clap: :cheers:

Saving a track day is being prepared before you get there. Keep up all maintenance and replace things that have a history of failing before they fail. Getting stuck at a track with a broken car is no fun. Been there done that. Thank you Irvine Toyota for destroying my motor.

AAA membership card!!

A DD..

A trailer with fluids, basic tools and another set of rims/tires. Everything else that breaks at that track is a major pain in the ass to repair and I'd rather do it at home or at the garage.

What's in your "save the track day" kit?
 

You know what they say about "no good deed goes unpunished." Spent all that time working on a friends car and blew up an engine within 2 laps lol


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I carry more stuff now that I have a trailer :bonk: