Landracing Forum

Loring Timing Association (Maine) => Loring (AFB) land speed venue => Topic started by: Chris08Bus on January 14, 2013, 11:49:31 AM

Title: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Chris08Bus on January 14, 2013, 11:49:31 AM
I'm new to LSR this year and trying to imagine all the things I'll need to bring up to Loring for the Maine Event.

I've got the basics down, e.g. stands, tools, lockwire & pliers, fire extinguisher, paint pen to mark tire date codes, etc.

I'm curious to know what you folks bring to Loring (or any other venue, for that matter) that may not be obvious to a beginner like me that you just cannot live without.  Even the extra stuff like camping chairs, coolers for drinks, a tent for the pit area, etc.

I'm driving up from Mass and would hate to have to turn around because I forgot something.
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Stainless1 on January 14, 2013, 12:03:08 PM
Bonneville... beer and shade... maybe a water or two.

Loring... a jacket... OK guys up there.... just kidding, I remember needing a heavy one every time I was there to fix an airplane. (they never break in the summer... both weeks)

 :cheers:
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on January 14, 2013, 12:09:39 PM
This is a question that has been asked many times, so - - here's a link to some information.  Follow it, scroll down to "Hints for Bonneville", and you'll have a few pages (read 'em all) to get you started.  Yes, it says "Bonneville", but you'll find that it relates well to Loring or any other race venue.

http://www.landracing.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5&Itemid=19
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: JustaRacer on January 14, 2013, 12:14:44 PM
Things most commonly forgotten in all kinds of sportsman type racing, not all apply to all racing:

A pen that works, and a second one when the first disappears.
Lots of water.
Work gloves.
Paper money, including some small bills.
A way to check and inflate tires.
Long pants, long shirt/jacket (if required).
Something to clean windows.
Something to mark windows.
A bin/bag to clean out car contents so they don't blow away.
Proof of insurance, DL, etc.
Metal valve stems.
Blue painter's tape.
Battery firmly secured.


Roll up windows BEFORE a run.  Pull windshield wiper fuse.
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Cajun Kid on January 14, 2013, 12:36:35 PM
Duct Tape, lot's of Duct Tape...

SSS (Jon's) list is a very good place to start a checklist.

See you all at the races,

Charles
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Jessechop on January 14, 2013, 02:19:06 PM
Bring with you what you are capable and willing to fix. I.E. if all you can do to your bike is change plugs bringing a crank wont do you much good.

Other than the obvious, pre tech your bike. Metal valve stems installed? Damper? Date codes on tires? Bike tech will do what it takes to get you to race. In Spet. we failed a bike because it didnt have a damper. Between trips to my shop and and around the pits he was outfitted with a damper. We also saftey wired many bikes, loaned out leathers, helmets etc. Point is, be prepared and tech isnt trying to make you not race, rathermake you race safely and as long as you arnt a dick we will do what we can to make that happen


Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Plmkrze on January 14, 2013, 03:09:01 PM
Bike guys will suffer in the heat with no water. You will push that bike and push that bike to the start line. I always find the start line. I just follow the pools of sweat!! :-D

If you are near Plm Krze look in the back on my truck. Always have water for dry biker guys and gals.

Don't have to ask! Just drink up Lumpy! :cheers:
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: 55chevr on January 14, 2013, 05:32:40 PM
Jesse --- very eloquent. 

Joe
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: bearingburner on January 14, 2013, 06:26:28 PM
Several Auto Parts stores in the Loring Area. We broke a toggel switch one year no problem to replace. A friend lost a water pump also no problem to replace. As Jessechop said no reason to bring parts you can't install in a reasonable amount of time.
         
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Kevin G on January 14, 2013, 07:10:02 PM
Sunscreen
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: generatorshovel on January 14, 2013, 07:46:44 PM
Heavy duty hand cleaner, clean rags, spare EVERYTHING .inc. a stubby holder or 2.
Tiny
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: blackslax on January 14, 2013, 08:05:40 PM
Jesse --- very eloquent. 

Joe

Hey Joe,
I think we will have to make jesse our new spokesmodel. 
Or maybe we can make a select few people out there happy be replacing our tag line "the future of land speed" with Jesse's "as long as you arnt a dick we will do what we can to make that happen".  Really rolls off the tongue.
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Jessechop on January 15, 2013, 06:57:01 AM
Jesse --- very eloquent. 

Joe

Hey Joe,
I think we will have to make jesse our new spokesmodel. 
Or maybe we can make a select few people out there happy be replacing our tag line "the future of land speed" with Jesse's "as long as you arnt a dick we will do what we can to make that happen".  Really rolls off the tongue.

Hey, whatever I can do to help.  :-D If you make it into a t-shirt I want a cut of the profits.  :-D
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Jessechop on January 15, 2013, 07:02:11 AM
Oh, and I should add this too. Dont freak out when the line is long, and feeling like it never moves. Come Sunday afternoon you can make as many passes as you want. I dont know of anyone that went home with a running entry that didnt get all of the passes they wanted because of the line. (previous statement applies directly here  :-D)
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: RidgeRunner on January 15, 2013, 07:35:56 AM
Chris,

      PM sent.

             Ed
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Chris08Bus on January 15, 2013, 11:58:47 AM
Ed - thanks for the message - I sent you one back just now.

Jesse - what damper?  (I just got that sinking feeling...like I overlooked something in the rulebook)

Everyone - you'll never have to worry about me being a dick - I'm the nicest guy from Massachusetts you'll ever meet (besides Ed, maybe)!  I'd buy a tee-shirt though.
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Glen on January 15, 2013, 01:09:57 PM
Steering damper
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Chris08Bus on January 15, 2013, 01:25:03 PM
Good thing the busa comes stock with one.  Thanks Glen.
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Gary Perkinson on January 15, 2013, 01:41:35 PM

Metal valve stems.


Just wanted to double-check...I don't have to run metal valve stems in Production, but I DO have to use metal valve stem caps, correct?

Thanks!

Gary
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: JustaRacer on January 15, 2013, 02:20:51 PM
Lots of org's require metal valve stems, and it's becoming more and more common.  Not all do, but when you mount tires, you should do it just in case.  You never know when rules will change.
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: 55chevr on January 15, 2013, 02:21:45 PM
Metal valve stems required over 175 mph.


Joe
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Gary Perkinson on January 15, 2013, 03:40:07 PM
Thanks, guys...
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Jessechop on January 15, 2013, 07:25:18 PM
Saftey wire the axles, remove or tape anything glass, back protector over 175 along with the other stuff mentiond is the basics. Oh, tether switch too. Joe or Tim might have the check list he could email you to go over it.
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Frank06 on January 19, 2013, 10:23:44 AM
(Also, remove mirrors too, upgrade chain guard, etc. etc.)

I was in your shoes a couple of years ago.  The best advice I could give is to read and understand the rulebook: if something isn't clear, ask about it here.  You want ALL your bike prep to be done in advance, it's a lot more fun to be meeting and talking to folks than it is to be kneeling on hardtop worrying about something on your machine.  Don't obsess about how fast you're going to go: someone else will be faster.  It's more important to have fun, stay safe and enjoy the wonderful people involved with this event.   :cheers:
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: Chris08Bus on January 19, 2013, 10:31:31 AM
Thanks for the advice.  I've been plugging away at the preps (lockwiring, etc.) now so I can enjoy time with family and friends.  I know everyone there is very friendly and is willing to share tools & supplies.
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: grumm441 on January 19, 2013, 11:37:46 PM


The White Goose Bar
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: desotoman on December 15, 2013, 10:43:44 PM
Duct Tape, lot's of Duct Tape...

SSS (Jon's) list is a very good place to start a checklist.

See you all at the races,

Charles

Does anyone know if Charles is OK? This was his last post, and he has not logged in since April 27, 2013, 11:02:51 AM. His website has not been updated lately also.

Tom G.
Title: Re: Pit Area Essentials - Things you just can't live without...
Post by: saltwheels262 on December 16, 2013, 04:43:57 PM
a while back someone posted that he is on faceplace.