The Independent American Magazine for all Mini Owners
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Getting Ready To Race ith most the country still in winter’s grip, most racers in the colder regions are dreaming of their upcom- ing first race of the season. Most likely they also have rebuilds, modifications and pre-race checklists swimming through most of their neurons. But before celebrating having a race ready vehicle, before you load your gear and car onto the trailer, here are a few more often overlooked items to add to your pre-race checklist: Learn The Rules Usually at the end of every season most sanctioning bodies re-evaluate the rules that each competitor is required to follow. These rules can be broad enough to include all competitors, or specific to only one type of car or class. Some are driven by safety and others based on the litigious society we live in. Some rule changes are enacted to make the race weekend go smoother while others are meant to combine cars into race groups due to lack of interest/reduced competitor turnout. Depending upon how “cut throat” you are, you may follow these rule changes closer than you do your Facebook status. However, if you are not one of those competitors who read the general competition rules every night before going to sleep, then do it now. And while you are at it, it wouldn’t hurt to review even the old, “pre-established” rules that relate to you and your car, just to refresh your memory of what is expected of you and allowed in the class in which you plan to participate. It will save you time and money, as well as headaches at the track, to make sure that you and your car are within spec before you go. Safety First Now that you have read all the rules (both old and new) and by Cindy Gift Motorsports Editor have them fresh in your memory, it is time to re-evaluate safety based on some of those rules. I don’t mean whether your lug nuts are torqued to specification or whether your wheel bear- ings are sloppy, that is just common sense. I am referring to “Old” safety versus “New” safety. One of the most overlooked items that I have found when performing technical inspections on cars before they are certified to race are out of date safety equipment. Almost every sanctioning body has rules pertaining to the age allowed for safety belts, helmets, fuel cells and the like. Whether your equipment looks brand new or as old as dirt these rules are meant… well, for your safety. Out of date means unsafe as far as the rules are concerned. And while the new equipment vendors at the racetrack can be a godsend in your time in need, they also can be an expensive. So before going to the track, make sure all of your safety equipment fits within the rules and regulations of the sanctioning body. One more thing, if the last time you raced you were involved in an accident, consider REPLACING some of your safety equipment (or if possible have it re-certified). If your helmet was impacted, replace it. If your seatbelts were stretched to their limits while they kept you secure and saved your… well you know, replace them! If there are any other safety items that 10 www.mc2magazine.com may have given up their useful life to keep you in one piece, REPLACE THEM, too! Caution is the better part of valor, here – even if it hurts your wallet and racing budget a bit. Condition and Organization Just because you have the required safety equipment (and it isn’t out of date) doesn’t necessarily mean that you have met the requirements set by the rules. For instance, even though you may have your racecar equipped some sort of fire suppres- sion system per the rules, are you sure it is charged and ready to go? While you may have a fire retardant suit, if it is worn, tattered, has any rips or tears, then it is not safe (and no, duct tape will not fix it). If your fire retardant socks have holes in them, they are not safe. If your racing shoes are worn through, they are not safe. If your driving suit, shoes, helmet and un- derclothes no longer fit, then they are not safe and they do not meet the general competition requirements, or The Rules. So before jetting off to the racetrack for the first event of the year, pull out your driver’s suit bag. Make sure that your wearable equipment is not only in good condition, but that all the required equipment is actually there. Many times I have had fellow drivers borrow my spare Nomex socks and yes, even my spare driver’s suit because in their rush to get to the track they left their safety gear bag in the closet or forgot to include some item after it had been laundered. Go racing! The first race of the season is one of the most exciting. It also one of the most stressful. While we tend to have most of our at- tention on the car’s readiness, on making sure that all our tools and spares have been brought along, don’t forget that racing is meant to be a “safe” sport. Do your pre-race rule and rule change checklist at home, before you get to the track. Make sure all of your safety equipment is in proper working order and that you remembered to pack it. Make the first race of the season a fond memory not a stress-ridden, chaotic event. Drive safe, and above all, have fun. Cn en alo an i tr ce r n idy Gf in dirt oval racing s aci s tact h n u it, aka “M as g clctor f er by emai sc C i ii Cn ooper n or Ski ln . Her daily driver is a 2002 Cooper S s on th idy ig: s ,” h e v g Sch n p Bar f taf @mc2magaz as ov ber R aci itage ciool an n r i n cut. Sh ie.com. er a decade of e as e w d competes xper i - . Con- mini cindy W