We are well into the new year.  To help racers, we are offering downloads of text files of two of our organizational checklists.  With these files, the racer can add or delete items from a copy as needed.

Throughout our past racing, we wrote up checklists of tasks as reminders.   That started after oversights in packing or preparation for an outing as those tasks increased in numbers and complexity.  We would add items to the list any time we forgot something else.  As the list grew, new categories of lists were made.  After using the checklists, we were amazed at how often an oversight would be revealed by going through the list prior to an outing.

Checklist categories:
These are some of the categories of checklists we created and still use:

• Packing list (see below in this issue)
• Safety certifications (see below in this issue)
• Setup prior to race day
• Clutch setup
• Fuel injection & jetting setup
• Check prior to run
• Run record
• Between rounds check out
• End of race day
• Check quarterly
• Check yearly.

The first two categories of checklists are provided in this Newsletter.  Other categories of checklists will be provided in subsequent newsletters.

Packing list

• driver & crew personal:
  • fire suit, boots
  • ear protectors
  • arm restraints
  • head sock & neck brace
  • helmet
  • shorts / bathing suit to wear under the fire suit on hot days
  • hat
  • sun block
  • chap stick
  • anti fog / lens spray
  • cloth for face shield
  • ice bags or ice packs for under the fire suit on hot days
  • drinking water
  • food
  • ice chest
• tuning:
  • current air temp, barometer, & humidity info
  • weather forecast (from airdensityonline for US & Canadian tracks)
  • jetting plan
  • jetting records (such as FIRS 2nd edition, p. 188-189)
  • clutch settings plan
  • spark advance plan
  • heat gun (calibrated)
  • tire durometer gauge (calibrated)
• administrative & legal:
  • racing driver’s license
  • safety certifications
  • class rule book
  • racing schedule
  • prepaid or pre-entered tickets / passes / coupons
  • maps / driving instructions
  • hotel / motel reservations
  • meal coupons when available
  • clipboard / pen / marker / pencils
  • iphone / lap top / power adaptor for data recording
• pit tools:
  • flashlight / trouble light
  • tape in different colors
  • tie wraps
  • jack stands
  • buzz box
  • ohm meter
  • air hose / regulator / nitrogen bottle
  • air nozzle
  • tire air nozzle
  • tire pressure gauge; low pressure / high pressure
  • leak down meter / adaptor connectors
  • glue / sealant
  • spray lube
  • generator / gen. fuel & oil
  • portable lights / extension cords
  • pit cones
  • tent / tie downs
  • chairs / tables
  • fan
• trailer:
  • trailer plate registration
  • trailer & lock keys
  • trailer spare tire / unlocking key
  • trailer tires air pressure check
  • trailer tires condition check
  • trailer jack
  • trailer lug wrench
  • trailer safety flares / reflectors
  • trailer tire chalks
  • trailer lights check
  • trailer brakes check
  • trailer ground connection check
  • ramps for loading unloading
  • tie downs
  • equalizer bars / actuating handle
  • security locks
• tow vehicle:
  • tow vehicle spare tire
  • tow vehicle tires air pressure check
  • tow vehicle tires condition check
  • tow vehicle jack
  • tow vehicle lug wrench
  • tow vehicle fill up fuel
  • tow vehicle fluids check / fill
  • tow vehicle lights check
  • tow vehicle brakes check
  • portable air tank for race tires
  • fire extinguishers
  • racecar pull cable
  • spare fuses
• fluids:
  • fuel: gas / methanol / nitro
  • engine oil
  • trans oil
  • differential oil
  • water / antifreeze
  • brake fluid
  • cleaning fluid
  • grease
  • lubricating oil can
  • lubricating acid brushes
  • anti seize
  • funnels
  • fuel filters for filling
  • oil strainers
  • oil collection pan
  • waste containers
  • hand towels
  • soap
  • rags
• spare parts:
  • engine spares
  • trans spares
  • differential spares
  • racecar chassis spares
  • spare spark plugs gapped
  • spare nozzles, jets
• tools
  • tool box / boxes
  • spark plug holder
  • special tools such as oil filter spinning adaptor / valve lash checking tool
  • race car tire ramps
  • jack stands / chassis lift
  • waste basket
  • specific gravity kit
  • clutch cooler / cooler power
  • fuel cooler / cooler power
  • oil heater / heater power (disconnected for towing & storage)
• racecar:
  • strut for racecar body lift
  • drive shaft & couplers if removed from racecar
  • safety pins for fire bottles and parachutes
• starting:
  • starter motor / batteries / spares
  • starter batteries charging setup
  • squirt can
  • spray lubricant for blower.