Keep your setup simple

[cstreit]

The trailer threads had me thinking about the "good old days" and how simple it used to be for us to go racing.. We could literally decide to go racing and in 1.5 hours be on our way to the track.




6 years later add:

2 Kids, Motorhome, 24' enclosed trailer, GT class car, National Series, tons of spares, track job as a Series Director, hot engine and gearbox, 4 hour tires vs. 1 season tires, paddock entertainment equipment, etc.. etc.. etc....

Now it takes us 8-10 hours to get ready, much more stress, and I don't know if we're having 5 times the fun?

Support crew for a longer race (all WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS!)


Busy pit...


Busy paddock


Makes me long sometimes for when this was a lot simpler. I love the highly competetive nature of the game now, but some days.....

[Eagledriver]

Makes be glad for the PRC 911 spec class here in Nor Cal. We use shaved Toyo RA1's and can get at least 3 weekends out of them. 2 of us still drive to the track and Tyson won a race in October after driving to the track.

-Andy

[RaceProEngineer]

A long-time, and very successful, racer friend of ours has switched to golf! He decides the night before, or even that very morning, if he wants to go. His preparation consists of putting on a pair of cleats. He spends a minute fraction of the $$$. He seldom comes home greasy. And he carries all equipment and spares in a little bag. He frequently wins, and brings home a little money.

All compelling arguments? Not for people like us!
Ed

[gestalt1]

do you need to wear a helmet for this "golf"?

i think it really starts getting out of hand when you decide to trailer your car vs drive to the track. from that point on it just gets more expensive in time and money. has anyone ever gone from a full trailered car/serious race series back to just autox and track days?
-matt

[naparsei]

Originally Posted by gestalt1

do you need to wear a helmet for this "golf"?

i think it really starts getting out of hand when you decide to trailer your car vs drive to the track. from that point on it just gets more expensive in time and money. has anyone ever gone from a full trailered car/serious race series back to just autox and track days?
-matt

No, I still trailer for some events with one car. With the other one, though, I've moved even further up the expense chain - arrive and drive! Of course, the negative things Chris referenced - like 10 hours to prepare, the stress, finding the time, etc. all kind of goes away. It's not quite like the golfer story (you can't really decide the night before, for example), but it's close. Just gear up your person (helmet, suit, HANS, etc.), quickly check over the car, and GO!

[byndbad914]

Originally Posted by gestalt1

do you need to wear a helmet for this "golf"?

i think it really starts getting out of hand when you decide to trailer your car vs drive to the track. from that point on it just gets more expensive in time and money. has anyone ever gone from a full trailered car/serious race series back to just autox and track days?
-matt

I punched the windshield in my car until it was one big spider web one night.... golf is not in my future hahahah It would cost me more in replacement clubs than the trailer did over the course of a year.

Anyway, I drove my car to the track in the past until I essentially smoked the alternator one time. I was on my way home in the dark (after all day at the track) and had the headlights off about halfway home (good thing the 405 was well lit ) and the fuel pump quick about a block away so I pulled in the driveway and died. That was the last time I did that - I trailered after that with open rental trailers, but then...

Additionally, I sometimes go alone or with one friend who will video or time me or just watch - I like having the enclosed trailer I can lock everything in if I feel like it v. having a virtual yard sale with my tools and jacks while I am on the track and out of sight. I lost a helmet this way at an event awhile back... I had wandered off to check out some other cars and had an open trailer there and forgot to put my helmet in the truck... in the enclosed trailer I don't forget to put my helmet inside of it. My tool box stays roped up inside and locked if there are a lot of other people around I don't know, etc.

I don't always lock my trailer while on track so I still run risk, but having a nice, tidy setup at the track v. a yard sale is so much nicer. Finally, even taking my full rolling tool box, boxes of wire and connectors, etc etc and strapping the car down, I can be done with that in two hours at leisure and in one hour on the gas, so I dunno how to make it take 10hrs I apparently need more stuff hahaha

Lastly, I think it is like any addiction.. you need more and more until it either kills you or you quit altogether. I don't know how I could go from a fast, obnoxious race slicked car back to a daily dvr psuedo hot rod on the track. I am already considering selling it to build an 800HP AWD 70 Mustang...

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Eagledriver

Makes be glad for the PRC 911 spec class here in Nor Cal. We use shaved Toyo RA1's and can get at least 3 weekends out of them. 2 of us still drive to the track and Tyson won a race in October after driving to the track.

-Andy

This year I drove to/from all POC events including Willow Springs, California Speedway, Buttonwillow, Laguna Seca, and Infineon (from LA). Managed to do the whole season (6 STS events, 7 cup races) on 2 sets of RA-1s. Finished first in class in STS, second in cup race class with 3 wins. Can't complain about the simple life, although the drive to/from Infineon is a little tough on the butt. I don't have a choice though, as I have no space for a trailer and no tow vehicle.

[ErVikingo]

I really simplified mine. I left the car with the shop that built and maintains it and I just show up to drive.

Its not cheap but when you factor in the non-billable office time I was spending loading, unloading and transporting it makes sense.

Golf, you only need one ball for that game

[barney911rs]

Back when I used to drive to the track, and then swap tires, I thought, it would be nice to trailer the car so it would be ready as soon as it rolled off. That was good for awhile, then I thought, lets go racing. More tools, spares, extra wheels and tires, big truck, enclosed trailer, etc, etc, etc. What the heck was I thinking. I agree, sometime I think about selling the race car, going back to a street legal car and just doing DE again. Then the sickness starts to take over again, and next thing you know I've spent $$$ on a complete suspension overhaul. I just know I'm going to end up in one of those padded rooms one day.

[JohnJL]

I trailer to and from the track only because the car would be completely illegal on the street. I have an open trailer but am considering buying a small panel truck to store and move the track car.

I also like the idea of being able to lock things up. I've lost a multimeter, wrachet set and my driving suit.

[JohnJL]

the plan is tentatively to ditch the open trailer and do something like this...how appealing is the thought of cranking up the freezer on a hot track 43 deg C day, or even with the back dropped open backed up near the billie and esky...10 deg waves floating out of the back next to fortescue bay...I like it....

would need a coat of matte black of course....




In keeping with the theme of "keep it simple" wouldnt this enable putting and keeping everything together so a track day means just firing it up and driving off?

[IROC]

The very first DE I ever attended, I didn't even sign up before hand!! I just showed up and paid my money! (this was a long time ago and they didn't mind at all - many people did that).

Now I start the weekend before (at the latest) with the car up on jackstands bleeding brakes, etc., and then take the day off before the event to get the trailer from the mini-storage place, check it out (tire pressures, trailer brakes, lights, etc), load the car, load the tools, canopy, chairs, cooler, blah blah blah.

I used to be able to do an entire one-day DE for less than $100 - total. My last DE at Road Atlanta was more like $800.

Ahh...the good ol' days...

[cstreit]

Originally Posted by JohnJL

In keeping with the theme of "keep it simple" wouldnt this enable putting and keeping everything together so a track day means just firing it up and driving off?

Well as long as you have double tools, buy all your meals, etc... That's really part of the issue for me: I take a lot of equipment from my shop to the track "for emergencies" and so that must be loaded on. Then "to save money and time" we load up the motorhome to be self-sustaining as well. (What we're really done is front-loaded the time packing at home so we don't have to find food and entertainment and hotel at the track)

[esther]

A note from da wife

We just finished our 8th year of w2w racing.. and yes it was much easier 8 years ago with a small cooler, an open trailer and "camping" in the back of our 4runner.

Now it's making sure we have enough food and drinks for the weekend to feed the family which involves menu planning and grocery shopping and loading the motorhome with the food... plus pots and pans and utensils and plates and bowls and napkins etc... then there's packing to be done for the kids - clothes, shoes, coats, diapers, wipes, toys, books, movies, potty, strollers, baby seats, car seats etc... then my clothes, his clothes, toiletries, towels and blankets, and bedding... then there's the outside stuff... outdoor carpet, chairs, tables, lighting, grill, propane etc... yes it's a lot of work...

and that's not including all the work Chris does with getting the race car ready or loading equipment...

I'm sure if the wife and kids and motorhome were not involved, it would cut down on track prep time significantly plus reduce stress and worry. We have the Durango that can tow the trailer so "guy weekends" are definitely a possibilty...

BUT WE LOVE TO GO RACING TOO

At 2 weeks old, our daughter was not a happy camper - She's much happier now...

[Jeff Alton]

A family that races together stays together! Good for you guys! As I don't W2W my car (yet) my 5 year old always wants to help in the garage, and he actually is a help! He really wants me to race it as he loves going to the track, but I can't afford to ball it up, DE's for me for now!

Cheers

[RaceProEngineer]

Esther and You Guys,

Use caution about bringing the family to the track! Try to look "down the road" a bit and think of the far-reaching, psychological effects. On this board, many times, I have seen our sport referred to alternately as a "disease" or an "addiction". But these are things one can cure, or get over.

Dante and I think of our affliction more as a virus! Exposed early, or often enough, you will probably get it, and once you have it - well - YOU HAVE IT! Dante attended his first World Manufacturers' Championship of Makes (the American stop on the international Le Mans series) when he was 5 WEEKS old. I made the mistake of taking him into the pits with me, and I think that is where it happened!

Mingled in that complex perfume of avgas, hot oil, and soft, pliant rubber, was the virus! But how was I to know? It wasn't until years later that the affliction made itself known, and by then it was too late! Now, he gets 3 or 4 times the seat-time that his dad does. Where's the justice?

And now, not learning from my mistakes, Dante brings HIS kids to the track! Oh, where will it end?

Ed LoPresti

[barney911rs]

Ester,

Chris is a VERY lucky man to have a wife like you. Look forward to seeing you guys again at Mid Ohio this coming year. Hope you get a chance to make it over before the championships. I think the 3rd time will be the charm for the gold. Take care and Happy Holidays to the whole family.

[byndbad914]

so I just went to Sears last night and bought two locking 30"x30" cabinets to hang on the walls in the garage. Reason I went was two-fold (1) the cabinets were on sale for 50% off and (2) they are part of a series called Gladiator that are metal cabs with brackets on the back you can hang from a slip-fit bracket you lag-screw into the house studs. But, wouldn't ya know it, you can buy the slip-fit brackets separately, for say, the trailer!

I am going to mount hangers in both the house and trailer and put my oil, cleaning supplies, tire gauges, tire temp gauges, etc etc in them. So when track day comes, I lock the doors, grab it off the wall and carry to the trailer and hang it there. Just gotta keep 'em under 75lbs so I can lift and carry them At the track I can lock/unlock at will and just leave the trailer more or less open (I suspect it would take some serious balls to walk in and carry the locked cabinet out tho' anything is possible...) I also ordered a rolling 66" tall locking cabinet that I can just wheel out and strap in with small ratchet straps from the same series.

sing with me... Merry Christmas to me, Merry Christmas to me...

[Jim Richards]

Chris, Esther, you guys have simply redefined your race weekends as mini-vacations for the whole family. And we all know that the purpose of vacations is to relax and unwind. Yeah, r-i-g-h-t!!!

[efhughes3]

I went to a NASA race earlier this year with Rob Cohen to help him out with his 911 in their GT series. I was blown away by the artillery that pulled up to the track. Mega trailers, motor homes, all of the toys needed while there. And on and on...