Spare parts to take to track
 

I was wondering if any turbo track guys have a list of spares they take to the track. I just want to be ready for the season and do not want to go to the track without something needed for these cars. Thanks

Pretty decent thread to get you started:

https://www.miataturbo.net/showthrea...ighlight=track

Thanks

Front hubs, brake pads, fluid, CAS, oil. Anything else goes wrong and your day is over anyways.

A second car

Truth

Just off the top of my head, I'm sure this is incomplete:

2.5 gallons of distilled water
4 quarts of oil
2 quarts of trans fluid
1 quart of diff fluid (with pump)
1 liter of brake fluid

Engine spares:
-Water pump + gaskets
-Idler/tensioner
-Timing belt, crank bolt, woodruff key
-Valve cover gasket
-Spark plugs
-Coils/wires
-NB cam angle sensor
-Accessory belt
-Alternator
-assorted vacuum/coolant hoses

Drivetrain spares:
-Set of wheels/tires
-Front friction rings
-Rear brake rotors
-Front and rear pads
-front brake caliper
-brake lines (front/rear)
-front wheel bearing
-rear upright/bearing (both sides)
-axles

If the job can reasonably be done within 60 minutes using basic handtools, I try to carry the spares to do it.

I think it's easier to bring a second car then all of that crap. If you bring all this stuff with you, might as well bring a lift.

Lol, nice list Sav. I could also do the same and swap everything you listed if need be but without the comfort of my garage and box/power tools I would just tow home.

Now if I was going out of town like coming down to Cali or Oregon I would bring most of what you listed. But it would likely be there only to fix the car to get it home not back on the track as I doubt I could really do any of that stuff quick enough to make it worth it.

Track days are expensive and there's nothing I hate more than breaking on Saturday morning. For instance, I broke a LR wheel bearing in February on the outlap (8:15am) and had the car back on track for the 10am session. Drove it for the rest of the weekend, too.

It's a long list, but it all fits into 4 clear Costco bins (except the axles, they're too long).

Seriously guys? Man up, get dirty, and fix your car. At least half of that stuff you should be able to swap out in 30 minutes or less.

I bring as much as I can. If something breaks, your gonna have to fix it eventually, might as well try to get it done while there is still fun to be had... not to mention at the track you are usually surrounded by very capable mechanics who are more than willing to lend a hand.

I need to add an extra CKP sensor and fuel pump relay to my list.

A jack and 4 stands go along with this stuff. You spend $300-$700 on a track day, why not be able to repair the basics? I've replaced an alternator, thermostat and basics like pads, spark plugs etc at the track and consider this somewhat trivial. I see people at track events replacing much more and they often get help. At the track the miata is a common car with lots of parts available as well as know how. Go to a lemons or chump car race and you will see full engine, transmission and rear builds and swaps trackside.

Savs list is a good one and over time you will build a list of common failures.

The only thing I would add is common hardware like some bolts, washers, zip ties, clamps, spare wiring supplies and an Internet browsing device to look up the solution to your trackside problem. Make a list of the tools you need for each repair function as you go through regular maintenance and/or do some of the work with your track set of tools if you have that luxury. It sucks when you missing someting you own already but just needed to bring it.

Had I brought a spare trans last Dec at RA, I would have swapped it out so I could at least attempt to scare the sh!t out of Track :)
+1 on fluids - esp if you're running an OSG - after blowing that hole in my carrier, I was lucky enough that discoveryparts had heavy duty shock proof 80-250 gear oil that would work with the OSG without messing up the friction plates, Emilio to the rescue there - Andrew was to slow to answer the phone - or just said "ughh... not him again". Now I'll always carry an extra pint. Alcohol too ;)

Just to share some cool stories of camaraderie and car repairs from a race last season:

A guy in a EG civic locked up a rear brake caliper, he had driven the car to the race, so one of the other competitors drove him into town in-between his heats to pick up a replacement, by the time they got back it was almost time for him to get to grid, so another competitor, who works in a shop and could install the thing with his eyes closed, installed it for him while he got his gear on.

Same race, an FP Miata was having wiring issues and kept dying on the track. This was an ongoing issue that the owner had been tearing his hair out over and had no luck diagnosing... that night the whole pit gathered around, beer and flashlights in hand, and traced all the relevant wires from end to end to hunt down the culprit. They found and fixed the problem (loose pin in the ecu connector) and he went on to set the track record for his class the next day.

Yeah that's how it seems to work at actual race weekends. Last year I got my novice races done to qualify for my sr. w2w and everyone there is like a big family. Sure, on the track it's cut throat but in the pits everyone hangs out and helps each other with parts/fixing stuff.

haha, you will get your day eventually!

There is another thread with a list of tools brought the track, but I can't seem to find it.