HOW TO
PERFORM A POST;RACE
INSPECTION
Prevent a future disaster
for your vehicle
BY JOHN CARY
YOU’LL
NEED:
›› Body cleaner
›› Toothbrush
››Large painter’s
brush
››Air compressor
››Battery charger
››Bearing oil
››Assorted hex
wrenches
Even in a perfect world, no vehicle is beneath a brief inspection after a testing session or race qualifier. In fact, it’s one of the best things you can do for your vehicle (obviously outside of complete tear- downs) because it forces you to inspect your car for any cracked
or damaged parts that could put a serious damper on your next round of
driving. Overlooking a damaged part can create a snowball e;ect that forces
wear and tear on other parts that would otherwise be just fine. Here’s how
to avoid all of that.
For the racers out there, inspect
your vehicle setup before you
start cleaning and surveying your vehicle. You should be
checking for ride height, camber
settings, wing positions, etc. It’s
not at all uncommon for springs
to settle into position, forcing
the ride height to lower itself or
camber adjustments to be o; with
thanks to varies tumbles around
the track or hard cornering. If
they’re o;, make the appropriate
adjustments and continue with
your vehicle inspection.
Battery maintenance is key, especially
with LiPo cells. Don’t be careless
and let your hard-earned money go
to waste.
Ride height and camber often get a ;ected the
most during a practice or race session.
CHARGE YOUR BAT TERY
Don’t wait until you’re done going through
your car to charge the battery. Have it be
the first thing you do when you set your car
down in the pits, even if you’re done for the
day. ;is is beneficial for two reasons: 1) By
the time you’re done going through your
car, chances are the battery will have a full
charge and be ready for your next run. 2)
;e battery will have enough charge in it for
proper storage, eliminating the chance of
cell damage.
