First race weekend: a pit kit checklist for a small team

A first race weekend is a test of organisation as much as of speed. Most small teams do not fail because the bike is slow. They struggle because a tool is missing, a fuel can is empty or nobody remembers where the tyre warmers were stored. A written pit kit list, checked before leaving home and again on arrival, prevents most of those problems. This is the list we would want any new team to start from.

Start with the bike’s own needs

Before packing anything, write down what the bike needs to run for a full day. Include the fuel and oil types, the tyre pressures for the expected temperature, the spare consumables and the tools required for the basic service. Keep a copy of the bike’s setup sheet in the kit. If the rider has changed a setting since the last test, the sheet is the only record of what was agreed.

Spares matter more than most new teams expect. Carry spare levers, a spare clutch or brake lever where they can be swapped quickly, a spare set of bolts for the parts most likely to vibrate loose, and a few common fuses or bulbs. None of these is expensive, and each one can save a session.

Tools and workshop basics

Pack a torque wrench that has been checked recently, the sockets and spanners that fit the bike, a set of Allen keys, cable ties, safety wire and fuel-resistant tape. Add a clean tray for small parts and a magnet for dropped fasteners. Label the toolbox drawers so that anyone on the team can find a tool without asking.

Think about the power supply and the lighting for the pit area. A small generator or a reliable power point makes a difference when the work runs into the evening. Check the cables and the plugs before the weekend, not on the day.

Fuel, oil and cleaning

Bring more fuel than you expect to need, in approved containers, and label each one with its contents and date. Keep oil and coolant sealed until they are used, and pack absorbent material for spills. A small bottle of degreaser and a pack of clean rags are easy to forget and useful every hour of the day.

Include basic cleaning equipment for the bike, but do not wash it near the electrical connections. Dry the bike after each session and check the fasteners on the fairings and bodywork, which tend to loosen over a day on track.

Documents and paperwork

Carry the paperwork in a folder that stays with the team manager. This includes the rider’s licence and registration, the bike’s documents where required by the event, the entry confirmation, the scrutineering checklist and the insurance certificate. Check the requirements for your specific event with the organiser, and the national governing body’s current guidance. The Auto-Cycle Union publishes details for UK events at acu.org.uk.

Keep a copy of the timetable on the pit wall and a list of phone numbers for the organiser, the medical team and the nearest tyre and fuel suppliers.

Labelling and layout

Decide where things go before arriving. Put the tyre warmers, the stands, the tool chest and the fuel in fixed places, and mark the boundaries of the pit box with tape. A tidy pit area is safer, easier to inspect and quicker to pack up at the end of the day.

Brief everyone on who does what. One person should be responsible for the tyres, one for the bike’s set-up and one for the timing sheet. Roles do not need to be fixed forever, but on a first weekend they stop confusion.

Final check before leaving

On the night before the event, go through the list with the bike loaded in the van or trailer. Tick each item as it goes on board. Check the tyre pressures are noted, the spare parts are in their box and the paperwork is in the folder. Then go to bed. A calm start is the best preparation a first race weekend can have, and a checklist is the simplest way to achieve it.