Series: So You Want To Race Or Do Trackdays? Part 5: Tools, Tires, Pit Gear, Etc.
Series: So You Want To Race Or Do Trackdays? Part 5: Tools, Tires, Pit Gear, Etc.
Briefly: I’ve been riding over 40 years, raced for 11 (with varying degrees of success), and just hit the track again recently. While lots of people post some of this information, I’m trying to put it in a way that anybody can follow. Some of it may be obvious, some of the info may be new to you, some parts may be short, some long. Here goes (this one is, again, long!):
tl;dr: You don’t need a garage with a complete MotoGP pit setup...but there are things you do need, and some that I strongly recommend.
This is primarily aimed at first-timers, but I think anybody might pick up at least an idea or tip or two.
So: what do you bring to the track with you besides your motorcycle and your riding gear?
#1: Spare keys for your motorcycle (unless you have a key-less start switch) AND for your transport vehicle. Put them somewhere safe and outside of your vehicle, like in the bottom of your tool box (we’ll get to tool boxes and tools in a bit). You absolutely don’t want to be at the track and not able to start your motorcycle, nor be far from home and not be able to start your transport vehicle at the end of the day. Funny story: I did take spares the last trackdays and needed my spare van key because...I forgot where I stashed it! D’OH!
# 2: Necessary tools: This will vary from person to person, depending on what you know will need adjusting at the track, what may need adjusting or removing and replacing, and what you are capable of adjusting or repairing at the track. Tools to adjust your valves? Unless you’re the mechanic for a professional team, then “no.” But here are the bare minimum of what you should bring with you:
- all tools for removing your brake calipers and wheels, including your chain adjusters
- all tools for adjusting your suspension, front and rear (unless you happen to have suspension that is fully non-adjustable, but I’ve never seen a shock absorber that didn’t at least have a stepped pre-load adjuster at the minimum)
- all tools for adjusting your handlebars, brake, clutch and shift levers (and rear brake)
- necessary torque wrenches (usually 3/8” and ½” to properly tighten things back up)
- something for adding air to your tires: a hand-held bicycle pump, a stand-up pump, an electric air inflator (my current choice—I bought an inexpensive one and it’s actually fantastic!), an air tank (make sure you filled it before leaving for the track), or an air compressor (but you’ll need an adequate source (enough watts) of 120V power.
Beyond that, you can’t go wrong with having tools that can tighten up any bolts or other fasteners that might come loose. I’ll show you what I bring in Part 6: Checklists (coming soon!).
In addition to the tools, make and BRING WITH YOU a list of those critical fasteners and the proper torque specification for each one. You probably won’t have a manual with you and you really don’t want to waste time going through 450 pages to find the info you want. I put my list in one of those clear vinyl sleeves that fits a couple of sheets of 8-1/2”x11” paper (or, I think A10 in Europe?). There’s no point in having torque wrenches with you if you don’t know how tight to make stuff.
#3: Cleaning, Lubrication and Adhesives/Etc., Tape, Shop Towels, Helmet Cleaning Supplies: Again, think of the stuff you might use at the track: whatever lube you use for axles (if you need to change tires), spray cleaner, hand cleaner, chain lube (although, if you did that before you left home, you wouldn’t need it at the track), blue threadlocker, maybe JB Weld Original and JB Weld PlasticBonder (really amazing stuff!), painters tape, duct tape, shop towels. microfiber towels for your windscreen and faceshield, paper towels, and a bunch of nitrile gloves if you have to handle greasy stuff like axles. I put this all in a plastic bin but I keep my faceshield cleaning spray, towels, ear plugs (bring extras!) and nasal strips in my helmet bag…
#4: Tires: If I’m putting on new tires for the first day, I like to have this done before I leave for the track. That’s my recommendation for all of you. However, if you are going to need to buy and mount/balance tires at the track, make sure you know which tire track vendor will be on site (Dunlop, Pirelli, etc.) and try to arrange with them beforehand for which tires you’ll be buying from them. Definitely get to the tire vendor first thing in the morning because it’s usually first come, first served and you don’t want to miss out on any track time, or worse, miss a race due to poor planning and bad time management. If you plan on getting fresh tires for the second day, then be sure to drop off your wheels as soon as possible after your last session on day one.
For novices and C group (slower) riders, you do not need the latest racing slicks, tire warmers and a generator. There are quite few performance tires that warm up very fast and they don’t need to be on tire warmers because they can easily handle many heat-cycles. In fact, for most B group riders, you don’t need that stuff.
#5: Pit Gear: What is this? The extra stuff you bring to the track. At a bare minimum, you should have a rear stand or one of those roll-in front wheel chocks to hold your bike up in the pits (especially if you’ve removed the sidestand!). I bring front and rear stands in case I need to remove either wheel. At least one folding chair for you to sit on. I bring two—invite people to sit with you! A piece of cheap/old carpet to put down in your pits (I used to use cheap astroturf but that's gotten ridiculously expensive). It’s much nicer to have if you need to work on your bike than kneeling on hot asphalt. And, to that end, I highly recommend a pop-up canopy (like an EZ-Up), at least a 10’x10’, to keep the merciless sun off of you. One more thing: bring your own first aid kit.
Nice extras to have include: a small table: a fan: a small one that you can use to help dry your leathers and/or helmet and to cool you; some people bring a box fan to cool their bikes down after a session (and you’ll need 120V power source for this). Some people also buy canopy walls to block the sun and wind, and even four walls to use their canopy as a tent at night.
#6: Food and Cooking Gear: So: you’re definitely going to need food, whether you camp at track or stay in a motel. Most important: gallons of water and hydration/electrolyte fluid. When it’s temperate, plan on at least two gallons of fluid just for you. If someone is joining you, make sure they have just as much available to them. And when it’s hot? You can easily go through up to three gallons a day. You do not want to run out.
As for food, for breakfasts and lunch, go with stuff that’s easy to prepare, not “heavy” and hard to digest, and don’t stuff yourself. It’s better to eat light and snack through the day. Avoid foods that will spike your blood-sugar level...or cause it to drop. You want to maintain a good energy level throughout the dinner. Dinners are variable—depending on track location, there may be nearby restaurants, so that may be an option. Otherwise, go wild, as long as it’s something you can actually prepare in a short amount of time. You don’t want to spend an hour or so making dinner. For those in motorhomes or travel trailers, you do you!
And, you’re going to want to keep your beverages and perishable food cold. Get a good cooler and if possible, buy block ice, not cubed or crushed, it lasts longer. If you know there’s a nearby gas station where you can buy ice, you can refill it after the first day.
I lucked out with the rental campervan I bought, it has a Dometic refrigerator drawer. It can hold three one-gallon jugs of water, a 1.5 liter soda, sandwiches, fruit, etc. It was my first time having this luxury and it was awesome! But they aren’t cheap and you’re going to need something to power it other than your vehicle’s battery, either solar panels or a hefty battery system or both.
And, don’t forget plates, cups, utensils, any spices or oil you’ll need, and napkins.
If you are using a camping stove, make sure you have fuel for it and LOTS of matches (or a good lighter) to light it.
#7: Toiletries and Sleep Gear: Think about everything you’ll need: toothpaste and brush, soap, shampoo, deodorant, any medications you take, contact lens case and cleaning fluid, and anything else you think you need. Bring a towel for showering (if the track or your trailer/camper has a shower) as well as flip-flops to wear if it’s the track showers. I recommend showering as soon as you finish your last track session: the shower will be cleaner, there will by less of, or no, wait, and you’ll feel relaxed afterwards.
For sleeping, if you wear pajamas, bring them. If your camping in a tent or utility trailer, bring an inflatable air mattress, a cot (optional—that depends on what you like), pillow, sleeping bag, or sheets and blankets. Same for travel trailer and motorhome users: you don’t want to go to bed and realize you forgot bedding. Also: bring earplugs and an eye mask for sleeping. Some tracks have bright security lights on all night, the sun may be up earlier than you want it to, and it can be noisy before everyone else goes to sleep.
And, an alarm! Maybe you don’t need one and pop awake every morning at the same time but I don’t. I usually get up about 45 minutes to an hour before tech opens in the morning.
#8: Clothing: Bring enough clothing for the whole trip. I like having clean clothing to put on before my drive home, too (if it’s far from the track); otherwise, at least a clean shirt. And absolutely bring a wide-brimmed hat to protect you from the sun—it’ll shade your head, face, ears and neck. Future skin cancer is something you want to avoid, so bring sunscreen, too, and use it.
#9: Bonus Item: If you’re already discovered that when you walk around with the top half of your leathers hanging off that you need a hand or two to hold them up, do this: get a bungee cord that is snug around your waist to hold them up, works like a charm. You’re welcome!
Next: Part 6: Packing Lists! I can feel your excitement about that but it’ll be worth a read and it’ll be short, I promise!