What to bring to a race....

[mercguy]

Jeff - nice touch!!

Not lacking in confidence right now. I'm actually kind of anxious - kind of looking forward for spring already and its forcasted for snow by end of week. Daren, I think you have it made down there - no snow to deal with.

was 85 yesterday, but has cooled down to the 70's today......

[mercguy]

Legal gas was mentioned. What would be illegal - if you mixed it with something you were not supposed to? If you fill up a tank with regular gas are you in good standing? Geeze, the more answers I get the more questions I have

just stick to regular old pump gas, no need for anything more. You "might" just buy a couple gallons of "race gas" to add slightly to your normal racing gas, just to make sure you pass inspection......

[mercguy]

"oxygenated" gas would be illegal.

In some high smog areas the EPA requires all or a major quanity of the gas sold to have a small amount of an alcohol mixed in. This gas is illegal in boat racing unless the race committee finds that all local gas would normally be illegal and declares a "gas of the day" rule. This has never happened at a race I attended in the east.

oxygenated gas should be clearly labeled on the pump, but you might get so used to seeing the sticker that you have started ignoring it

If you are not sure, ask the inspector to test your gas BEFORE YOU RACE!

as alot of the gas in S.Cal will not pass inspection! Case in point, Bakersfield, Ca, the local Chevron Station that is used for "fuel of the day" will read + on the meter........

[mercguy]

Bottled water, shade (easy-up, etc....), every tool you own or have ever wanted to own , clothes for hot weather, clothes for cold weather (I thought I was going to freeze to death in August in northeastern Alabama one year).

Try not to forget anything when you head out. I'm almost glad we don't race at El Dorado, AR anymore...... That race was only 1 1/2 - 2 hours away, but my luck there was never very good. First place I flipped a boat? El Dorado!
One year I went there and forgot my gas tank and had to go buy one from a local dealership (I was racing CMH and CMR back then and using a 3 gallon Mercury tank). Another time when I was rigging up one of my boats I couldn't find my prop box when it came time to put a prop on. (Want to guess where it was? ) My Dad had to drive back to my house and get my props while I was sweatin' it out in the drivers' meeting hoping that he would make it back in time (he did).

since I was bringing my small trailer to one race, I packed minimal items, thus forgetting the "megaphones" for my Cmod Merc..............

best thing to do is make a list and keep it handy or have a BIG trailer and keep everything inside, which is what I ended up doing.........

[mercguy]

Hi Sean,

First off I'd like to say that for the most part what you forget at home someone will lend you. There are a lot of generous people in the sport who will do about anything to get you on the water. That said, here is more stuff to bring:

2 cycle oil
WD40
gear case oil
prop nuts
spark plugs
tools - screw drivers wrenches etc
knee pads or pad for boat
wet shoes
extra clothes
sunscreen
camera
video if you have it
GPS for recording speeds - or Keller speedometer
notebook to keep track of your set ups and results
stop watch - some guys like to have one in the boat so they can make timed runs at the clock before the race starts
sponge
drain plugs
starting fluid - for drying out engine
small plastic bucket
soap/hand cleaner
waders - if the water is cold
extra starter ropes - depending on the engine you run
shim sticks - 1/16", 1/8", 1/4"
height checker - make sure you are legal (can borrow)
angle checker - to check prop shaft angle (should have one since they are all slightly different
EZ canopy (nice to have)
legal gas - have yours checked before you mix with oil
paper towels
duct tape
extra kill switch tether
cordless drill & bits
food & drink
test wheel
holy cow, no wonder I need a bigger van

I'm sure there is more, maybe someone else could chime in.

Bill III

so when you do cut you hand or fingers on the prop, you will have the necessary items to fix yourself up........

ALSO, it is MANDITORY to have a fire extinguisher also!!!!!

[Jeff Akers]

Jeff - nice touch!!

Not lacking in confidence right now. I'm actually kind of anxious - kind of looking forward for spring already and its forcasted for snow by end of week. Daren, I think you have it made down there - no snow to deal with.

Hmmm, I'll be heading up your way (Kent,WA). be there all of next week, I'll bring some California sunshine with me

I hate snow

[Ron Hill]

Toilet paper.....
Except at San Diego, man were their ****ters High Tech...When you went in the seat saluted you....very clean, too...

Bt many places.......we seem to race...a man could die in them Rent-a-heads... (A woman could die for sure...)....

Tim mention CHEAP BEER.....No one has mentioned a HUGE COOLER, with a lot of ice.....Many places don't have ice and a MARTINI without ice is REAL BAD...and hot beer...well, need I say more...

Did Bill's list have sandpaper and a file...seems I never have the right grit sandpaper....

Portable generator, for lights, to work on the boat at night....

ADD AGAIN SENSE OF HUMOR: CHOWCHILLA was at least a hundred and twenty (123 degrees on Saturday)....with no wind.

We went to a party that night in Fresno, inside the house was 100 degrees and it felt cool compared to outside (And this was 9 P.M.)...

DUCT TAPE the color of you equipment...Duct Tape will fix anything...it replaces stiches....super glue works too...you can super glue most cuts with super glue...

ANYTHING IN THE GARAGE that looks like you might need or that you might sell....

Now, you see why I just bought a 34 foot trailer ot race 45......

[Joe Silvestri 36-S]

Ron,

What will you be using to tow the 34' trailer? It has to be big! Any pictures of it?

[Ron Hill]

Pat has an F-350...but the "SUCKER" is a bumper PULL...Probably pull my bumper right off...

Trailer is paid for...Chad has some pictures.......trying like hell to figure out where to park it....Maybe, in Needles next to the bar...if business was slow I could go work on the boats...

OH...Don't forget the TRAILER when you go to the races......One time, Tom Goldstone showed up at Salton Sea...We said, "Where's your boat Tom?" He said, "Funny you should ask...but we pulled the trailer out of the garage, and dad thought I hooked it on and we came here and didn't notice we didn't have it until we got here." If yopu know Tom, you'd know this tio be true...

When Tom first started driving my dad told Tom to "WATCH the Water." My dad noticed Tom looking out the side of the boat....My dad asked Tom what the hell was he doing? Tom said you told me to watch the water and that was what I was doing.....

[mercguy]

Hmmm, I'll be heading up your way (Kent,WA). be there all of next week, I'll bring some California sunshine with me

I hate snow

\


hmmmmmmmmm..........Kent, that was the last place I went to OMC school at (missed the Master Tech Qual by 3pts on my test, the first time in 92!). Is that where you are headed Jeff? I thought that school was gone?