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 |