Races

GHIT 0188: Racing 101 Part 8: Tools for a Track Day – AKA Fools With Tools

Our podcast is trying to encourage people to try high performance driving and racing, so Vicki wanted to start a special series she calls “So You Wanna Racecar”.  In this episode, we go into the dark recesses of Bill’s mind and enter the world of Lists.  We have lists for what tools to bring if it is an HPDE or an endurance race, what parts to bring, what to pack for the paddock, etc, etc.  All will be available on our website at www.GarageHeroesInTraining.com and we update them at least once a season as we learn.  On this episode, we start with a shorter list of things we bring to an HPDE.  The list is shorter because the event is much less taxing on the vehicle and our HPDE cars tend to be newer or running better than our race cars (but we are working on that diligently) so they tend to require less work to keep running or to repair.  We hope this gives you a good foundation to develop your own set of lists for tools, etc since every car has specific needs and issues, each team will have a different list after time to fit their own needs.  

Please let us know if we missed anything that you may want discussed in a future episode of our Racing 101 Series. 

The outline for the series is:

Part 1:  Building Your First Race Car (and options to not)

Part 2:  Safety and Safety Related Equipment Needed

Part 3:  Best Entry Points To Start Performance Driving

Part 4:  Buying and Selling Cars (With Special Guest Lara Vernon)

Part 5:  Going To and From The Event/Track – What To Expect

Part 6:  Paddock and Pit – Best Practices

Part 7:  Perspective of a New Driver (With Guest Adam Owens)

Part 8:  Tools, Spares, Supplies Needed for a Race Weekend

Part 9:  Common Issues All Drivers Will/May Experience in When On Track For the First Time

Part 10:  Miscellaneous Topics (& Things We Forget to Mention Earlier)

On this episode of Dominating with Dawson we cover what a Point By is, how to use it on a track, and how to respond to one if you are in the car being pointed by.  It is a very useful tool on track for controlling passing and controlling traffic on the track.  When used well, the event is more enjoyable for all.  When used poorly, or not at all, it can often lead to tension and stress by all the drivers affected.  We even have our first ever episode of GHIT Jeopardy.  Vicki is somewhat less than pleased, but it is rapidly taking over the racing world.

You can subscribe to our podcast on the podcast provider of your choice, including the Apple podcast app, Google music, Amazon, and YouTube etc. 

Also, if you could give our podcast a (5-star?) rating or even better, a podcast review, we would greatly appreciate it and it would help us to grow the passion and sport of high performance driving.

For instance, leaving an Apple Podcast rating is very easy.  If you go to your podcast library, under shows and click on the podcast you can leave a (5?) star rating and enter your review. 

A link to the episode is: https://tinyurl.com/Racing101Part8

We hope you enjoy this episode!

PS  Please don’t forget that if you are looking to add an Apex Pro to your driving telemetry system, don’t forget to use our discount code for all Apex Pro systems you will receive a free Windshield Suction Cup Mount for the system, a savings of $40.  Just enter the code “ghitlikesapex!” when you order.  We have two systems for our team and Bill is looking to add a third for this season, pending CFO approval from Vicki.  They are a great system and truly invaluable in safely increasing your speed on track and/or autocross etc.

Best regards,

Vicki, Jennifer, Alan, and Bill

Hosts of the Garage Heroes In Training Podcast and Garage Heroes In Training racing team drivers

Highlights from this episode include:

1) We go into the recent track visit Jennifer had.  Unfortunately, it was not racing related.

2)  Vicki starts to discuss our new themes but won’t share any details until they are unveiled.

3)  Vicki and Alan have been working hard on the El Jeffe race truck for our upcoming race at PittRace and so far, things look like we are on schedule.  We still have a bit of mechanical and fabrication to do, as well as a full re-theme.  Fingers crossed.

4)  Bill goes into the way that we break down tools by the event.  We have different tools and part needs depending on what car or cars we are bringing and the type of event.    

5)  Some valuable advice on how we budget our tools and think about what type we keep in the garage and what we take with us to the track.  We are not as random as we appear.  lol.

6)  The basics are a socket set, a wrench set, and a set of screwdrivers.  Things tend to grow quickly from there, but don’t forget, you can usually borrow tools if you are new at the track from your new friends that you will meet at the track.

7)  One key decision is the ecosystem of your battery powered tools.  Try to make sure to try to stay within a single family and minimize the battery cost.  So review what tools you think you will need and like and make sure as many as possible of them are available.

8)  Vicki also goes into her favorite Little Tykes Chair.

9)  Bill also covers the ways that we have found to organize a drawer the best.

Additional Information and Links:

Detailed Car Repair and Maintenance Manuals (usually ~$25-30):  www.emanualonline.com 

HPDE/Track Day Tools

Allen Keys – Metric

Allen Keys – SAE

Allen Keys – Torx

Bailing wire

Batteries

Bits – Nut Drivers

Bits – Screwdriver & extensions

Brake pad press

Breaker bar

Chargers

Dead blow

Electrical supplies fuses etc.

Fasteners

Hammer – Dead Blow

Hammer – Standard/Ball Peen

Magnetic trays

Masking tape

Painters tape

Socket – 1/2 ratchet adapter

Socket – 46 mm

Socket – Impact – for lug nut

Socket – Impact set

Socket – Set – Metric

Socket – Set – SAE

Socket – Wobbler set

Tape Measure

Torque wrench

Wrenches – Metric

Wrenches – SAE

Zip ties

Race Weekend Tools

Standard Tools:

Adapter – 1/2” to 3/8”

Adapter – 3/8” to 1/2”

Adjustable wrench

Adjustable wrench – Pipe

Bit driver – ratcheting

Breaker bar –  1/2”

Center Punch

Chisel

Clamp – C

Cordless drill

Cordless Sawzall

Cutters – diagonal wire cutters

Extension – 1/4”

Extension – 3/8” long

Extension – 3/8” medium

Extension – 3/8” short

Extension cord – 4 plug

Files – set

Flashlight – Mag-light

Grinder, Cordless is possible

Grinder, Wheel – Cutting

Grinder, Wheel – Grinding

Hammer –  mini sledge

Hammer – ball-peen

Hammer – big ball-peen

Hammer – Cross ball-peen

Hammer – dead-blow

Hammer – regular

Hammer – Rubber

Hammer – Sledge

Hammer – slide (set)

Hammer – small

Hex bits

Hex keys – metric

Hex keys – standard

Hex to 1/4” adapter

Hose pliers

Impact – 1/2” Driver

Impact – 1/2” Set – Metric

Impact – 1/2” Set – SAE

Impact – 3/8” Driver

Impact – 3/8” Set

Impact swivel –   1/4” 12 mm

Impact swivel –  1/4” 8 mm

Impact swivel –  3/8” 12 mm

Impact swivel –  3/8” 14 mm

Impact swivel –  3/8” 14 mm deep

Impact swivel –  3/8” 17 mm

Impact swivel –  3/8” 17 mm deep

Impact swivel –  3/8” 19 mm

Impact swivel – 1/4”

Impact swivel – 1/4” 10 mm

Level – 6″

Level 18″

Lug Wrench

Magnet – extending

Mirror – to see around corners/tight places

Nuts and bolts – assortments

Pick – 90 degree

Pick – bent

Pick – hook

Pick – straight

Pliers

Pliers –  long angled needle-nose

Pliers –  long straight needle-nose

Pliers –  needle-nose

Pliers – cobra-grip

Pliers – snap-ring

Pry Bars

Punches – set

Ratchet –  1/2”

Ratchet – 1/4″

Ratchet – 3/8”

Razor blades – box

Razor knife

Screw extractors

Screwdriver – big flathead

Screwdriver-  big Philips

Screwdriver – flathead

Screwdriver – Philips

Screwdriver – pocket

Screwdriver – stubby flathead

Screwdriver – stubby Philips

Socket – 13/16” spark plug

Socket – 21 mm (lugnut size)

Socket-  3/8” deep

Socket – 3/8” standard

Socket – 5/8” spark plug

Socket- 3/8” metric

Socket set – 1/4″

Wrench -Torque (cheap ok)

Wrenches – metric

Wrenches – standard

Other tools and supplies we bring

Cordless battery – Charged

Connectors –  blue female blade

Connectors –  blue male blade

Connectors – blue crimp

Dexron – case (If automatic)

Gear oil

Oil – Case Shell Rotella T6

O-ring kit

Sheetmetal screws – self tapping

Spare BMW Front hubs etc.

Spare Brake pads

Spare parts

Trailer – Battery

Trailer – Hitch Tool Box

Air chuck

Aluminum – Angle – 8 feet

Brake cleaner – cans

Brake wrenches

Compressor

Cordless batteries

Cordless battery – Charged

Cordless battery charger

Cordless drill

Cordless Sawzall

Cotter pin kit

Dolly/Seat/Chair

Dremel

Dremel – bit set

Drill bits – set

Drum – waste oil

Earplugs – bag

Emory cloth

Engine Lift

Exhaust tape

Gas Tube lids

Gasket scraper

Generator

Glue – Rubber/Vinyl Adhesive

Glue – Super/Crazy

Glue – Super/Crazy Gel

GoPro’s

Grinder, Wheel – Cutting

Grinder, Wheel – Grinding

Hacksaw

Hacksaw – mini

Hacksaw blades – spare – Box of ~10

Halogen overhead light

Harmonic balancer puller set

Heater

Hemostat

Hose pliers

JB Weld

JB Weld – Kwik Weld

Jump box

Jumper cables

Knee Pads

Knee pads

Lock for Trailer/Truck

Loctite – both kinds – 2 each

Lugnuts – Spare

Magnet – extending

Mirror – to see around corners/tight places

Paint – Touch-up

Pencil

Plumber’s pipe dope (for sealing fuel fittings)

Puckey – Gray tubes

Pyrometer

Rags – box

Rain X – Yellow and Black

Rechargeable spotlight

Rechargeable spotlight charger

Rubber Gloves

Sandpaper -variety pack

Seat Cushions for Race Seat

Stapler

Starter Fluid/Carb Cleaner

Straps – Ratchet

Straps – Ratchet – Heavy

Straps – Ratchet – Heavy for Axles

Tape – Duct – non-silver

Tape – Loctite Go2 tape

Tape – Racing/Racer

Tape Measure

Taps and Threaders

Teflon sealant

Teflon tape

Torch – butane

Torch – butane tanks

Track map

Trailer – Hitch Tool Box

Trailer – Test Battery

Vicki’s favorite tool box

Welders – TIG and MIG, MIG more likely, not likely needed at track

White board – Paddock responsibilities

White Board Markers

Windex

Wire strippers/crimpers

GHIT 0188: Racing 101 Part 8: Tools for a Track Day