A Checklist for Autocrossers

  1. Driver's License
    A valid driver's license is required for all entrants. Be sure to have it in your possession when you register.
  2. Magnetic numbers (static for Corvettes & Fieros & Sonetts)
  3. Club, team or humorous stickers for your car
  4. Rule book(s)
  5. Shop manual for your car and documentation for any odd modifications
  6. Helmet
    If you don't own a helmet, loaners are generally available. Helmets must meet local club safety standards- typically Snell or ANSI Z90.1b approval. Generally, DOT approval alone is not sufficient.
  7. Tool box for your car
  8. Race tires on separate wheels
  9. Jack (good floor jack not that yucky one the car came with)
  10. Shoe polish for marking tires or numbering in case you have no magnetics
  11. Torque wrench for changing tires
  12. Air tank
  13. Tire gauge
  14. Racing fuel
  15. Brake fluid
  16. Motor oil
  17. Spray bottle (put water in it, great for cooling off)
  18. Stop watch
  19. Pen, pencil & paper
    A course map is generally presented during the Driver's Meeting. It is helpful to copy the course map and later jot down notes while you are walking the course. Reviewing these notes while waiting in the grid area may improve your focus and concentration. A spiral notebook that fits in the glovebox and will hold a pen is convenient for this purpose.
  20. Calculator
  21. Heavy duty gloves for changing tires or wearing in bad weather
  22. All-weather gear: Rain Coat, Rain pants, Boots, Umbrella, Hat (sun/cold)
    Rain will not stop an event unless it is interfering with the timing system. Lightning, however, will suspend or halt an event. Be prepared to be outdoors in the event of rain. Protect not only your self, but also the belongings unpacked from your car. Large plastic garbage bags are convenient and easily packed. They may also double as a crude raincoats after the appropriate holes are made.
  23. Sweater (it sometimes gets cold out there)
  24. Shorts (it can also be blisteringly hot)
  25. Sweatshirt
  26. Driving gloves
  27. Tarp large enough to put your belongings under
  28. Water (at least 2 quarts of good drinking water)
  29. Food (bringing your own is better than buying it, cheaper too!)
  30. Cooler for pop, water and lunch
  31. Towels
  32. Rain-x for your windshield
  33. Sunglasses (get a good pair)
  34. Sunblock
  35. Folding chair or equivalent (takes the load off your feet)
  36. Mastercard or Visa (for emergency use only)
  37. Driving shoes that fit your car's pedals
  38. Camera (film, video or both)
  39. Eyeglasses (back up for contact lens users)
  40. Contact lens saline solution
  41. Ignition key on it's own key chain so keys don't rattle on the course
  42. Duct tape
  43. Whistle (helps to alert people while working the course)
  44. Trash bag (your mother doesn't work here)
  45. Watch
  46. Business cards for all those new friends you'll meet
  47. Checkbook or money for entry fee and incidentals.
    Also required is the entry fee. The amount should be printed on the event announcement. Events providing series pre-registration sometimes provide discounts. In any case, pre-registration is a convenience. Telephone the listed contact person when pre-registration is advertised.

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