Tool Tips From The Race Pits

[Acosi151]

Over the years I've had a chance to race and wrench out of bunch of different pits at an amateur level. During this time I've come across some pretty neat tricks that were either specific to racing or at least had some pretty good racing practicality.

Bundling tools by job. Got a spare radiator or brakes that are gonna need to go in at some point? Have duplicates of the tools you'll need and nothing more stored in the same place as the parts for each job on a tray. You'll have to tools you need and nothing else to make sure there is no guessing when you do the job and the tools you need aren't in someone's pocket down at turn 2.

Welding Gloves. You might not have a welder with you but if you can grab that cooking hot rotor off the hub or move that header out of the way NOW instead of waiting for things to cool off you save time

Master Link Pliers. Just a set of lineman's pliers with one tip ground down about 1mm. Makes reinstalling a motorcycle chain with clip style materlink a breeze

Brake Cleaner/ Contact Cleaner and Shop towels. They're used almost every 30 seconds during wrenching but even better, if you send your girlfriend or wife off to the porta pottys with these tools in hand they'll feel a lot better about spending the day at the track with you.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Anybody got anything else they've picked-up that doesn't have to live behind the team secrets wall of silence?

 

[Ironhorse]

PJ1 by the case...

 

[Gregster]

Rescue tape has saved us many times !
Tire grooved is good for cutting slicks into intermediate rain tires.

We always bring extra chains and sprockets along. Not a fan of PJ1, motul chain lube all the way

 

[Mohawk Dave]

BUNDLING TOOLS BY JOB. We do, and I agree.

Whilst we're on the subject of racing, we carry our tools in Dirt Bagz. These are tough and always work. My satellite phone and wiring is in one as well. They make wrench rolls and bags etc. Tough stuff. http://www.dirtbagz.com/db_main_pages/db_main.htm

 

[Outlawmws]

At the amateur level most tool boxes are too big in the shop to easily get in and out of a pickup to take to and from the track. My old ten drawer Craftsman box could not be picked up by two strong men, period. I bought a two drawer intermediate and a six drawer top (4 effective drawers) and that was manageable.

Steve Smith wrote in one of his books he used two Kennedy 520 sized boxes (Probably the three drawer version) so he could carry one in each hand and it was a balanced load.

This was of course long before the common practice of coming to a track even at the pro levels in Semis...

Wrap your right (or dominant) knee in a rag so when you kneel down your not destroying your knee, or better still get one of those sports knee pads for it.

For open wheel short track cars that use a lot of 5/8 spherical rod ends, have at least six 15/16th's wrenches in the kit; as everyone on the crew should have one in their back pocket...

Don't forget the super tape, and try to get the high pressure version as it is stronger and sticks better than the regular grade stuff.

Get several of the thin 1/4" wide ten foot tape measures for measuring the circumference of fires.

Get the good RayBan auto dark aviators sunglasses, they act as safety glasses, they don't fall off with the good flex hook ear pieces, and you can wear them day or night.

Carry a good knife and a good LED flashlight at all times.

Safety wire is your friend.

 

[RBailey]

Some great tips guys, keep them comming. I'd add in a few of my own.

Nut Drivers (and not the nut driving behind the wheel) – I love hollow nut drivers and flexible nut drivers, great for the small stuff such as pulling panels / hoses quickly.

Belt tools – I keep a couple of rolls of tape, pocket of cable ties, set of flush side cutters, knife, gloves (on a clip) all on my belt. I have shop rag and heat sleeves tucked out of my pocket and a Ledlenser H14 on my head.

And slightly off topic of tools but a few other pit tips –
- Communication , good communication is the key to a good team.
- CLEAN and TIDY if you’re not wrenching you should be cleaning up and sorting out.
- NO POWER tool until the thread is properly started ! an extra second or two versus a stripped thread is NEVER worth it.
- When the pressure is on make sure the same team member does the same job.
- Safety. Always cross behind the car, make it a habit. When letting off the jack / air jacks etc always holler out or get an hand count.
- Sponsors. Be mindful of sponsors, they are hard to find, easy to loose, behave and represent them well.

Welding Gloves. - You might not have a welder with you but if you can grab that cooking hot rotor off the hub or move that header out of the way NOW instead of waiting for things to cool off you save time

I love the Kevlar (?) heat sleeves. You know where your hands are but I used to burn my fore arms a lot on headers etc when reaching somewhere.
Personally I’m not a fan of welding gloves, too much loss of feeling. I can make do with a normal set of Mechanix to yang of a rotor (never any use securing screws), but always wear the sleeves.

Brake Cleaner/ Contact Cleaner and Shop towels. - They're used almost every 30 seconds during wrenching but even better.

As well as going with a case of cleaner (or two) I keep a few cans on big magnets so they stick to the side of tool boxes, cars etc..

Wrap your right (or dominant) knee in a rag so when you kneel down you’re not destroying your knee, or better still get one of those sports knee pads for it.

After my last 24 hour it took about 10 days for the gravel to literally "grow" out of my knees. I've just bought some of the new Mechanix knee pads so will see how they do.

Don't forget the super tape, and try to get the high pressure version as it is stronger and sticks better than the regular grade stuff.
Safety wire is your friend.

Yeap, got to love cable ties, duct tape and lock wire, must haves and a LOT of each.
I keep some flush cutting side cutters clipped to my belt especailly for cable ties.

Carry a good knife and a good LED flashlight at all times.

I have a LED H14 on my head all the time !

Get the good RayBan auto dark aviators sunglasses, they act as safety glasses, they don't fall off with the good flex hook ear pieces, and you can wear them day or night.

I always wear proper safety glasses (prescription reactor light) and safety shoes, saved my eyes and toe’s more than a few times.

At the amateur level most tool boxes are too big in the shop to easily get in and out of a pickup to take to and from the track. My old ten drawer Craftsman box could not be picked up by two strong men, period. I bought a two drawer intermediate and a six drawer top (4 effective drawers) and that was manageable.

Steve Smith wrote in one of his books he used two Kennedy 520 sized boxes (Probably the three drawer version) so he could carry one in each hand and it was a balanced load.

This was of course long before the common practice of coming to a track even at the pro levels in Semis...

I've still not solved this problem in a way that I am happy with.


p.s. I’m an untalented amateur but these are what I “work” on :-

http://svdp-racing.co.uk/

http://newtrixracing.blogspot.com/

 

[Gregster]

Good drill bits and having 3-4 extra batteries for the the drill with extra chargers... Nothing wrong with having back ups of back ups

 

[Acosi151]

Good drill bits and having 3-4 extra batteries for the the drill with extra chargers... Nothing wrong with having back ups of back ups

Amen to that.. especially when it's gotten bad enough that you're frenkenstein stiching or riveting panels back together... I've seen enduro cars with 5 and 6 layer thick front and rear quarters... cut rivet, repeat.. LOL!