Track day checklist: what to bring and prepare
A good track day checklist covers three things: a car that’s been prepared and inspected, a driver with a helmet, suitable clothing and enough food and water, and a paddock kit with basic tools, a tire gauge and spare fluids. Prepare the car in the week before, and pack everything the night before so the morning is calm.
- Car prep happens days before, not in the paddock: fluids, pads, tires, torque.
- The helmet and paperwork are the only things you truly can’t drive without.
- A tire pressure gauge is the most useful tool you’ll pack.
- Water, food and shade matter more than most first-timers expect.
The car (the week before)
If your organizer uses a tech form, complete it now. If something fails, you have time to fix it.
- 1Brake pads with plenty of life left. Many organizers set a minimum, often around half thickness.
- 2Fresh, high-boiling-point brake fluid, bled if it’s old or the pedal feels soft.
- 3Oil and coolant at the right level, no leaks.
- 4Tires in good condition with no cords, bulges or cuts, set to a known cold pressure.
- 5Wheel lug nuts torqued to spec. Re-check them during the day.
- 6Battery firmly tied down, with the positive terminal covered.
- 7A full tank, or know where the nearest fuel is. Tracks burn fuel quickly.
The driver
- 1A helmet that meets your organizer’s current rating rule.
- 2Long sleeves and long trousers in natural fibers such as cotton, which are less likely to melt than synthetics.
- 3Thin-soled, closed shoes for good pedal feel.
- 4Driver’s license, event confirmation and any membership or log book.
- 5Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses for the paddock (not for driving under a tinted visor).
The paddock kit
Keep it simple on your first day. You don’t need a full workshop; you need to check pressures, re-torque wheels and top up fluids.
- 1Tire pressure gauge, and a portable compressor or pump.
- 2Torque wrench and the right socket for your lug nuts.
- 3Basic tools, tape, cable ties, rags and gloves.
- 4Spare oil, a liter (about a quart) of brake fluid and coolant or water.
- 5A bin or bag for everything you take out of the car: floor mats, spare-wheel kit, loose items.
- 6Folding chair, shade, plenty of water and real food.
- 7Notebook or setup sheet for pressures and notes between sessions.
Before you go out each session
Check the car is empty of loose items, the pressures are where you want them, and your helmet and gloves (if you use them) are in the car. Look underneath for drips. It takes two minutes and catches most problems before they reach the track.
FAQ
Do I need spare tires or wheels?
Not for a first day on a healthy set of tires. Some drivers bring a spare set as they progress, but it’s not essential to start.
Should I bring fuel to the track?
Some tracks sell fuel, many don’t. If you bring fuel, use approved containers and follow the venue’s fuel rules. A fuel calculator helps you estimate what a day needs.
Is there anything I shouldn’t bring?
Anything that can fly around the cabin: phones on loose mounts, water bottles, coins, floor mats. If you mount a camera or phone, use a secure mount and check your organizer’s rules.
- What is HPDE?HPDE is coached, non-competitive driving on a real race track in your own car. How run groups, instructors and classroom work, and how it differs from racing.
- Your first track day: what to expectA timeline of a first track day: arrival, registration, tech, drivers’ meeting, your first session, classroom, and when to call it a day.
- Preparing your car for tech inspectionWhat a track day tech inspection usually checks: brakes, fluid, tires, wheel bearings, battery tie-down, loose items and your helmet. Rules vary by organizer.