Set Yourself Up for Success at the Race Track with These Must-Have Tools

Winning in motorsports requires a rock-solid racecar, driver talent and preparation that begins at the shop. Readying your racer, (or show car, or street machine), before you hit the track is key to finding success. Whether it’s fine-tuning the engine and suspension or simply doing regular maintenance, it’s important you’re ready for battle. At the bare minimum, this means having a toolbox and garage (or driveway) that’s geared to your needs.

Of course, there are common tools such as a tire-pressure gauge, jack, and jack stands (or a more elaborate jacking setup), plus hand tools and a toolbox. And it goes without saying that the type of work correlates with the level of performance and/or the class of competition.

For instance, Pro Stock teams check valve springs, resurface the clutch, and, at times, change gear ratios nearly every pass. Nitro teams go further and do a complete teardown of the engine, removing everything, right down to a bare block. They commonly change bearings, rods and pistons, and head gaskets every single pass!

Most sportsman racers can spin wrenches, and they typically travel with tools necessary for working on the car. But beyond sockets and ratchets, other tools may include a weather station, practice tree, or anything that gives you an edge. In any case, there are general tools and specialized tools designed for each specific task.

And while you may start with the basics, your arsenal of tools will grow over time. Beginners probably have the standard sockets, screwdrivers, and wrenches, because it would be impossible for a new racer to know exactly what they need—and afford it all in one shot. The cool thing about our sports is that most racer are willing to help. How many times have you needed to borrow a gasket or something on the fly?

Everyone learns that tools are more than jacks, sockets and wrenches. A “tool” is anything you use to improve your skills or performance. In drag racing, tools can be your weather station, data-logging equipment or App, like DragInsights.com, which is a fantastic way to look at and analyze performance.

Bobby Fazio, who has won two events over the last few years in his Super Stock stick-shift Mustang said, “DragInsights has really helped me research my opponents for each round. I can see average reaction times, lane preferences, win percentage and so much more. And it helps me personally, because I can look at my data to see win percentage by lane and keep track of reaction-time average and all the aspects of drag racing. Our sport is based around precise measurements and numbers, and this tool helps with analyzing all of it,” he added.

Serious racers look at the big picture and have a plan for setting up the car for each round of racing. Not only do they have an eye on the next round, they consider all the variables and load the proverbial “toolbox” with items necessary to be successful. This includes vehicle preparation, track conditions, weather, the mental approach to racing. You can “build” your own toolbox by reading books on winning and improving mental focus by visiting a sports psychologist and by becoming an expert on vehicle performance and weather prediction.

Another tool that’s available are educational programs such as Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School or Peter Biondo’s webinar playbook. In addition to teaching best practices for physically driving the car (burnout/staging/run), these schools educate racers in unique ways.

Ultimately, being successful boils down to being prepared and then executing during those important few seconds. Get it right and you’re on your way to the winner’s circle, do it wrong and you’re strapping down the car—and even that requires tools—so be prepared and hopefully you be the one hoisting the trophy at the end of the day.