Landracing Forum

Misc Forums => Do before leaving for a race => Topic started by: Seldom Seen Slim on April 11, 2012, 02:47:45 PM

Title: 2012 Racing season things to do
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on April 11, 2012, 02:47:45 PM
Well -- if you're not already aware of it, the time to get ready to go racing is NOW!  Here are a couple of items that I've thought about in the past few days - things not directly related to building and prepping a race vehicle, that is, but still vital to your effort.

First of all - make sure your trailer is ready for the hard work of getting that race critter to and from the dirt/salt for another year.  Are the times in good shape?  Did they manage to hold full pressure all winter?  Are the wheels balanced (ever since you had to lock 'em up when that jerk pulled in front of you at the intersection)?  How 'bout the bearings?  How 'bout the brakes - are they electric, so you need to adjust them, or are they surge - so you need to make sure there's fluid in the on-board reservoir?  Check with wiring - not only to make sure all of the lights work when you want them to work, and that the running lights work (hard to see in the daytime, so maybe here's where your buddy will help out.  Now that they're all working -- look for the connections that have magically turned green over the off-season - - and re-do the joints.  Trim the ends beyond where the corrosion stops, then solder (using flux core, not acid core) the joint that's not only good electrically but also mechanically) and then take a hint from how the timing light wires are repaired - and put a sealing coating over them.  I use "liquid tape" that comes in a little can with a built-in brush.  It works pretty well to keep out moisture -- and it's easy to install 'specially when you forget to put the shrink sleeving on before you solder the joint (yeah, you know how I know that, don't you? :evil:).

Check the wiring socket in the back or your tow vehicle, too - make sure it didn't get stretched and worn last year.  New ones cost -- less than a ticket and way less than a wreck when you're rear-ended.

Grease the trailer - greasing anything that moves.  The landing gear, for sure, and the hinges on the ramp(s) and doors.  Got a window?  Is it workable (open/close) and is the screen still untorn?   Interior lights working?  How 'bout the radio?  check, as long as you're in there, the tie-down points to make sure they haven't let go - even a little bit.  In our trailer the points are metal inserts that go into holes in the wood and then are secured by screws.  Last fall I discovered that one or two of them had worn the wood so much that the inserts came right out - not even a prybar needed.  Check them, hey?

Tool box is secure and (gasp!) labelled?  Now the important part - do you have your landracing.com sticker on the trailer?  Not too big so as to tip off the vandals - but big enough to show passers-by that you look at this site.  Thanks - and if you need stickers I invite you to get in touch with me.

I'll quit for now - but you're all welcome to add things that I haven't mentioned.  heck, I'll encourage you to add stuff.
Title: Re: 2012 Racing season things to do
Post by: Glen on April 11, 2012, 03:01:03 PM
SSS, one thing is to spray the trailer plug with WD40 and put a baggie over it and tie it up off the ground as well. Setting the tongue foot in a bag and on a 2 x 8 X 12" and blocking the wheels so the trailer doesn't swing in the  event of high winds, yes I have seen them move on the salt. Good idea to spray all the key locks as well.
Title: Re: 2012 Racing season things to do
Post by: dw230 on April 11, 2012, 03:59:52 PM
"Are the times in good shape?"

Good idea Jon. I will put a new battery in the trailer clock this weekend. You forgot to mention that the beer box should be easily available. For use while sitting in the middle of the desert waiting for the other guys to return from the tire shop thats about 70 miles away.

DW
Title: Re: 2012 Racing season things to do
Post by: sabat on April 11, 2012, 05:03:00 PM
The beauty of racing a motorcycle is that you can rent a minivan and throw it in the back. No transporter longevity issues  :-D

Title: Re: 2012 Racing season things to do
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on April 11, 2012, 08:14:55 PM
Did I really say "times"?  Yeah, I see I did.  Well, you know that I meant "are the tirts in good shape", didn't you?  Good work-around, Dan.  And now that you mention it - I'll be putting the big deep cycle battery back into the trailer and hooking up the solar charging system.  And while I'm at it I'll check the battery in the on-board clock.  Thanks.
Title: Re: 2012 Racing season things to do
Post by: manta22 on April 11, 2012, 08:32:53 PM
Well, in my case, it's... "Get the car finished, Dopey!"

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ
Title: Re: 2012 Racing season things to do
Post by: Stainless1 on April 12, 2012, 10:29:14 AM
Did I really say "times"?  Yeah, I see I did.  Well, you know that I meant "are the tirts in good shape", didn't you?  Good work-around, Dan.  And now that you mention it - I'll be putting the big deep cycle battery back into the trailer and hooking up the solar charging system.  And while I'm at it I'll check the battery in the on-board clock.  Thanks.

So now we should have our times and tirts in good shape... Jon I think it is time to put the smell check option back on the site.  Either that or have Nancy read your posts before you hit send....
Title: Re: 2012 Racing season things to do
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on April 12, 2012, 10:45:19 AM
Stainless, I never "hit" send -- I just caress the button.
Title: Re: 2012 Racing season things to do
Post by: landsendlynda on April 18, 2012, 01:50:54 PM
While you're checking the time and the tirts, might as well check the tires too...oh, and just for the heck of it, throw some extra valve stem cores and caps into your tool box.  Ya never know!!

Lynda
Title: Re: 2012 Racing season things to do
Post by: Elmo Rodge on April 18, 2012, 05:56:24 PM
Good advice Lynda. One time I spent the night in a small town in Nevada and some punk kids stole all of my valve stems. 4 on my pickup and 4 on my trailer. Nearest tow truck was 80 miles away and would come and inflate tires but wouldn't bring valve stems. I spotted an air conditioning truck and the driver gave me the valve stems. At the hotel there was a large group of 4 wheelers. They pretty much all had compressors.  :-D Oh yeah. It was on a Sunday morning so nothing was open. Wayno