10 Endurance Race Essentials (That They Probably Didn’t Mention in Driver School)

Story by Will Nonnamaker

You’re getting ready to attend your first endurance race, and you think you have everything you need to run the event. The reality is that you probably have everything you need to run the event–as long as it goes perfectly. 

But what did you forget that will solve an emergency or just make the weekend …

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Wasnt this one of the boxsters that caused a bit of a kerfuffle in champar? I guess you can add rulebook and protest forms to your list... 

Here's a better list:

1) Tools

2) Coolers

3) Spare parts critical to your car

4) Spare wheels/tires

5) Food and Beer

I'd love to see GRM take on the new 4 hour TREC enduros that NASA just introduced. I think it would be fun to see a full breakdown of how sprint racers could transition to enduros. What lasts for 30 minutes may not last for four hours...

In reply to TR7 (Forum Supporter) :

No, it wasn't.

350z247 said:

I'd love to see GRM take on the new 4 hour TREC enduros that NASA just introduced. I think it would be fun to see a full breakdown of how sprint racers could transition to enduros. What lasts for 30 minutes may not last for four hours...

That's a good idea. ChampCar has had a large number of SCCA and NASA sprint racers come over to ChampCar over the past 12 years with good success. Of course, their first races were eye-opening due to many things like speed differential, not using up the tires in the first stint, and not being so aggressive in their passing in corners. But once they settle down, they have done quite well. Nothing beats the seat time though. That's what makes ChampCar so much fun.

Agree with Bill.  That's one of the things that makes the guy that can run consistent & clean lap times sometimes more valuable than the guy that can turn super fast laps...but uses up the car.  Champcar was a great place for me to learn endurance racing and make a lot of friends and contacts.  Their series has evolved over the last few years into a very competitive place to race.  I split my time personally between Champcar and WRL, and can only say positive things about both.  They each have their strong points, but at the end of the day, it's the camaraderie and competition that make both of these great events.  

I'd love to try some enduros, but I like the idea of starting with 4 hours. Plus, the even lower cost loss is nice if the car can't go the distance. ChampCar, WRL, and AER all look super enticing.

WRL is big with enforcing the "no contact" aspect of their series. The whole rubbing is racing mantra won't get you far with them so it's a lot more appealing to people looking to get into enduros since there is less likelihood of being taken out. In their last races at COTA, I think it was three drivers that were banned for a year for making contact with other cars. Fender bender type stuff is met with lap penalties but things escalate quickly for repeat offenders.

The Staff of Motorsport Marketing said:

Story by Will Nonnamaker

You’re getting ready to attend your first endurance race, and you think you have everything you need to run the event. The reality is that you probably have everything you need to run the event–as long as it goes perfectly. 

But what did you forget that w…

Read the rest of the story

Hydration is key to endurance racing for both the drivers and crew. Electrolytes are a must and high protein snacks.  If your body is not properly fueled the brain does not make good decisions. Good decisions are key in endurance racing. Especially big picture thinking.   

I'm going to echo the Fireside Chat above...

I've raced cars, karts and motorcycles in several organizations over the decades and only ONE of those organizations required a fire extinguisher in the pit of every team, rider or driver.   

However, I've seen the important items in pit areas...like tiki torches, blow-up palm trees and battery operated swamp coolers.  Pretty silly when you think about it...

Consider a spare windshield, or at least a sheet of polycarbonate. Lots of debris at a race.