Things to Bring
So, you’re thinking about going to the Solo National Championship, huh? Among all the other things that are going through your mind one of the things you ought to be considering is, “What should I take with me?”
I have always been a big proponent of making a list as I find it much easier to make sure I actually do what I want to do by making and then checking things off my list. I’ll bet a lot of you are in the same boat and if my own son is any indication the ‘younger generation’ doesn’t have time to make a list. Well, I’ll save everyone the time and make a list for everyone.
To make things easier let’s break the list down into several parts: stuff for you, stuff for your car, stuff for your trailer (if applicable) and stuff you should know once you get to where you are going.
First of all you need to know how long you are going to be away. Once you determine that you will know how much clothing to bring along. Further you can make a list of exactly what you will need. This should be the easiest category right? Hah! I have made a trip to the local Wal-Mart on more than one occasion to pick up stuff I forgot to pack. While I usually get the basics I have a nice collection of belts that I have accumulated over the years.
For You
- Underwear (boxers or briefs?)
- Socks
- Handkerchiefs
- T-Shirts
- Polo/Dress shirts
- Shorts
- Jeans/Dress pants
- Belt(s)
- Athletic shoes/Dress shoes
- Poncho/Rain coat
- Rain pants
- Wet weather foot gear
- Umbrella
- Sunscreen
- Sweatshirt/Hoody
- Jacket
- Heavy jacket
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Shaving stuff (electric or razor/blades/cream
- Aftershave
- Your meds…
- Aspirin
- For the ladies, you know what you need!
For your car
- Extra oil
- Extra brake fluid
- Spare wheel stud(s)
- Spare lug nut(s)
- Spare parts (is there a part that if it broke can ruin your event? Bring a spare!)
- Window cleaner
- Paper towels
- Terry cloth towels
- Mr. Clean Magic eraser (nothings takes off cone marks faster!)
- Gallon jug of water
- Waterless hand cleaning towelettes
- Tire pressure gauge
- Air tank (make sure you fill it!)
- Tire changing tools (breaker bar/socket/torque wrench)
- Jack
- Jack stands (I have a set of aluminum RV jacks that nest within each other and don’t take up much room)
- Tool box (Have at least a selection of wrenches that cover most of your fastener sizes & a socket set; screwdrivers are nice too)
- Road tunes (CD’s or MP3 player)
Optional Extras
- Jack stand pads (use on asphalt to protect the pavement)
- Collapsible chair
- E-Z Up (Don’t forget the tie downs & something to tie to)
Things to check before your trip
- Tire pressure (Don’t forget to air up your race tires & your spare tire)
- Brake fluid level
- Battery tie downs
- Clean the inside of your windows
- Change your oil!
- If you have a tire trailer or car trailer
- Check your air pressure
- Check your wheel bearings
- Check your brakes (if applicable)
What happens once you arrive?
- Check in at registration (Have your driver’s license, SCCA membership card & a rule book)
- Check in with the Paddock Chief and get your paddock space assignment
- Actually take the time to see what is inside your registration packet and READ THE SUPPS
- Find your friends!
- Make new friends!
- Enjoy yourself
The preceding checklist has served me well over the years. Everyone is different of course so there are things that you need to add and perhaps some that can be eliminated but for the most part everything on the list is pretty important.
If this is the first time you have been to the Solo National Championship the List will make your first trip that much more enjoyable and decrease your stress level a little bit. Out of all the things on the list I think the last three are the most important: find your friends, make new friends and enjoy yourself. In most cases you will know someone who has been there before that can show you the ropes, the people you meet (for the most part…) are always willing to help and remember- this is just another autocross so enjoy yourself!
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