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Thread: Track/Race Day Spares Checklist?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
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    Seattle
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    01 Mcoupe

    Track/Race Day Spares Checklist?

    Hi Guys,

    My friends and I will be endurance racing an E36 M3 this summer and I thought the group here would be the best to ask about the most common parts you find yourselves in (desperate) need of on race day due to wear or failures. I searched around for a thread or list on this but couldn't really find anything focused on the topic.

    So far I'm assuming the following but would love to hear other's input on this:
    Brake rotors and pads
    Alternator
    Starter
    Belts (any in particular?)
    Hoses (any in particular?)
    Brake fluid
    Oil & filter

    What else?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
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    mid-atlantic
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    357
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    70's p-cars
    I always have a spare set of wheels/tires, oil, brake fluid, front rotors and front and rear brake pads. Don't forget the tools to replace all the stuff - like that 7-8mm box end wrench to bleed the brakes.

    Despite very hard driving and double stinting every weekend, we never had a belt break or any of that other stuff. Of course it will all break now that I've left it off the list

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    95
    My Cars
    2001 M3 Coupe Track Car
    Ignition coils
    Fuses/relays
    fluids

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    Springfield, IL
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    My Cars
    '95m3(Avus)/996tt/4.8is
    Wheel studs
    Front and rear wheel bearing
    Front and rear ABS sensor
    Generic oil and vacuum hose/clamps
    Caps for oil cooler ports
    Radiator hoses
    Spare rear axle?
    Cam/crank sensor?
    O2 sensor?
    Maf sensor?

    Much of this is just hanging onto some preventative replacement parts since I am a hoarder of sorts. I only HPDE but I HPDE HARD. Half the fun is having it for the guy/gal next to me in the paddock.
    Last edited by olemiss540; 02-27-2020 at 01:11 AM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    NoVa
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    65
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    Alpine '95 M3
    Quote Originally Posted by olemiss540 View Post
    Half the fun is having it for the guy/gal next to me in the paddock.
    I've never needed it myself, but I've helped two DE guys get on track with my spare brake switch. No brake lights - no track, in our group, no matter how solid the rest of your car is.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Free America AZ
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    828
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    German ones
    Yep, do it for yourself and those around you. I put a faster racer in my class back in the game Sunday with a spare TPS after his failed in qualifying. He then proceeded to whoop my butt in the race lol. That's what it's all about!

    I carry a TON of spares, including a gas pedal and shutoff solenoid for the ignition kill. You never know what will break on race/DE day.
    Dave
    '18 RAM 2500 Laramie Cummins
    '15 Pure White VW Touareg TDI
    ///'95 Avus M3 S54B32 Race car -- 2022 ProAutoSports PS1 Champion
    ///'72 Chamonix 2002 (Restoration project)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    Springfield, IL
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    '95m3(Avus)/996tt/4.8is
    And you will CERTAINLY break the things you leave at home in the garage! I have no idea how it happens, but typically the one thing I decide not to pack into my overloaded tow vehicle ends my day/session.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    ithaca Ny
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    392
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    95m3/97m345/powerstroke
    If your running aero, you’ll need a spare splitter/front bumper.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
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    Seattle
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    01 Mcoupe
    Thanks everyone! Great list for us to work from. Will stock up on a few of these items for sure. Hadn't considered a splitter but that's a good idea, especially for endurance racing. A lot can happen in 14+ hrs.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
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    Springfield, IL
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    '95m3(Avus)/996tt/4.8is
    This weekend at Barber had to lend out some silicone and some various types of tape. Also had to run for plugs and wires to troubleshoot a mis, should have brought my spare knock sensor.

    When I recommended trying silicone to slow an oil leak at a fitting, he responded he couldn't pull it out of his rectum. I asked whether he would like black, ultra grey, or red since I had them all :-)!!!

  11. #11
    NeilM is offline Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
    Join Date
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    Fort Wayne, IN
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    5,016
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    96 M3, 15 Golf R, 18 Q5
    Quote Originally Posted by olemiss540 View Post
    When I recommended trying silicone to slow an oil leak at a fitting, he responded he couldn't pull it out of his rectum.
    Didn't know it could stop leaks there!

    I don't trailer to the track, so in addition to the usual consumables (brakes etc.), I tend to focus on parts that are small, cheap, and that could quickly end my weekend, and more importantly, prevent me from getting home. Thus: spare gas cap, radiator cap, oil filler cap, wheel studs and nuts, and yes, AN-10 caps to isolate the oil cooler circuit in case the Mocal rad takes a rock. My tool kit is also very pared down, only the socket and wrench sizes that are actually used on the E36, etc. Of course you can almost always find tools to borrow in the paddock.

    You guys with trailers and big tow vehicles have it easy — bring it all!

    Neil
    Last edited by NeilM; 03-11-2020 at 03:41 PM.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    Oahu / Los Angeles
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    1,011
    My Cars
    S54 E36
    I carry two spare coils as I've been told they often fail. That being said, I replaced all six of them a couple years ago with DELPHI units.

    EDIT: Also, my brother-in-law competes in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill out here and they keep a spare transmission and rear diff in their trailer.

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