What to Take

I would like to acknowledge the work of Jim Bickford, Thomas E. Bryant, Beverly C. Stanley and Rich Fox for the tips that you will find on this page.

Here are some of the items that over the years have proven valuable at the salt:

To secure the ground cover tarp, use a 2 1/2" hole saw and cut circles out of 1/4" plywood. Use 50 or 75 mm Tekscrews into the salt through the plywood to hold the tarp down. This will prevent the eyelets from pulling out.
I also use heavy things to hold down corners of my tarp. For my sun shade I have weighted cans for the four corner poles.
Use barricade tape to reserve pit space on the first day for you and your friends.
Pits are not assigned, they are on a first come first first serve basis. Use as much space as you need, but be considerate of others. If you have a group, the first one there just cones off the needed space. It is required that tarps are under the race cars to keep fluids from leaking onto the salt. I generally just set heavy stuff around the edges to keep the tarp in place, you could use large roofing nails, but you will find that they are hard to get into the salt and just about as hard to get out. (Most crews now take a cordless drill and tekscrews straight into the salt)
I spray Mud Off (sprint car stuff) in the wheel wells and on the rims to keep salt build up to a minimum and make it easier to wash off.

The best anti-corrosion stuff I have found is Boeshield T-9, made by Boeing and available at Aircraft Spruce 1.800.824.1930. Spray it on everything not painted, especially the cad plated hardware.

Bring containers for used motor oil.
And when you go to line up, take down your shade, the wind can come up at anytime but generally when you are a couple of mile away from the pits.

We have found the best structure has a flat roof. A sloping roof catches the wind. Make sure your overhead shade is a netting type shade or has halfmoons cut in at regular intervals to release the wind - otherwise you could easily come in from making a run and find your camp site in a shambles. We get heavy duty wind gusts from time to time which will just kill a shade tarp unless it releases the wind as it comes in.

Definately take down your shade tarps every night - even the netting types - because the wind can get crazy at night on the lake and there is absolutely no one out there at night to take care of your stuff.

The sun is your worst enemy - you really do need salt (worn on the salt only) shoes - cover every inch of your skin - don't be suprised if you burn from the bottom up (reflected sunlight from the salt) like on the underside of your nose - take lots of water and keep a close eye on anyone with a history of heat sickness.
I have found spare electrical connectors and switches can be helpful to take along.
A terry towel dipped in ice water and warped around your neck cools the blood going to your brain and makes you feel a lot cooler. Or buy a gel neck cooler from the merchandise van.
A First Aid Kit, some waterless hand cleaner, and shoes for the salt to change into before setting foot on the salt.
We also duct-tape plastic to the floor of the truck to protect the carpets and make for easier cleanup at home.
Of course, it is nice to have adequate chairs for bench racing if you have the time.
A UHF Radio and Fire Extinguisher is required in each push-truck.

I have made a checklist to help, it's a good start, but taking everything needed to the salt is impossible. Just don't forget the important stuff like, fire suit, helmet and race car. Most everything else can be acquired from friendly competitors!