New to FC, Got the car now I need everything else

Hello,

We are new to FC, just picked our car up this week and we are getting ourselves together for the 2024 season. We are coming from Kart's so we have some tools and equipment. BUT, I figured I would come get some recommendations on a few other things that we need:

1. Radios: We plan to run FRP in 2024 and want to make sure we have the correct radios that work. What does everyone use/like and where are you getting them from? I like to support the small guys, so if you have a good lead I would love to hear it.

2. Jacks and Stands: Any recommendations would be great.

3. Pit Equipment; Anything you feel you cant live without in the pits?

Thank you for any inputs you all have and looking forward to seeing you all at the tracks next year!

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Originally Posted by TankerBobcat27

2. Jacks and Stands: Any recommendations would be great.

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I don't know why everyone doesn't have one of these:
https://www.gyrodynamics.net/product...dy-style-jack/

There are other, less adjustable versions but any of them will make life much easier.

What car did you buy?

Instead of a large battery, use one of these as a jump battery for starting the car. Just replace the clamps with a connector.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/AllSt...xoCtPgQAvD_BwE

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Originally Posted by Mike B

I don't know why everyone doesn't have one of these:
https://www.gyrodynamics.net/product...dy-style-jack/

There are other, less adjustable versions but any of them will make life much easier.

What car did you buy?

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Thanks!

That looks extremely useful!

I bought an ‘03 Van Diemen that was based out of the Pittsburgh area. So far can’t get my kid to stay out of the car. He would sleep in it if I would let him.

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Originally Posted by hdsporty1988

Instead of a large battery, use one of these as a jump battery for starting the car. Just replace the clamps with a connector.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/AllSt...xoCtPgQAvD_BwE

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Thanks! So far I need weight to make weight. (My driver is pretty light 130lbs). Something to keep in mind though as we get heavier!

Scales and scale pad. Probably the most important thing other than fuel.

Quickjack.

Welcome, so great to see new blood in FC.
Spend the little bit extra on digital radios, truly worth it.
At risk of seeming obvious, make sure your short chassis stands are an inch shorter than the full lift height of whatever quickjacks you buy. :D
Quality setup platform is a must; MKTechnologies is the gold standard, and worth the money, they'll stay flat and square for as long as you own them.

Once you have a quick jack, a set of low jack stands that just slide under the raised quick jack height (typically 6-8"). These low stands can be constructed extremely economically from basic wood or metal stock.

Speedcom is the sponsor for FRP. I am also in the market for radios but have not made it a priority to reach out to them yet to see what may be offered to FRP racers.

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Originally Posted by TankerBobcat27

Thanks! So far I need weight to make weight. (My driver is pretty light 130lbs). Something to keep in mind though as we get heavier!

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You misunderstood, I wasn't referring to the on board battery. Most people start the car using an auxiliary battery. Instead of moving a large battery around to do so, a quality jump box works great.

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Originally Posted by Lotus7

Welcome, so great to see new blood in FC.
Spend the little bit extra on digital radios, truly worth it.
At risk of seeming obvious, make sure your short chassis stands are an inch shorter than the full lift height of whatever quickjacks you buy. :D
Quality setup platform is a must; MKTechnologies is the gold standard, and worth the money, they'll stay flat and square for as long as you own them.

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What radios do you recommend? I don't have any yet and that is high on my to-purchase list.

Most FC / Zetec cars do not use jump batteries, they have alternators, etc.

Also check out the Facebook page - FC Racing Group. lots of good info.

Brian

Call Jack at Speedcom and get his recommendations for your radio needs. Most importantly, find someone who has experience with these cars and engines. There are many people who will be eager to help out. John Walko is in the Pittsburgh area. He is one of the good ones in my book. Aside from that just post questions here and on the FC Racing Group Facebook page, you will get great responses from an experienced community. https://www.facebook.com/groups/156676828924564

A Battery-Tender trickle charger for virtually constant charge when the car is anywhere other than out on track

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Originally Posted by TankerBobcat27

1. Radios: We plan to run FRP in 2024 and want to make sure we have the correct radios that work. What does everyone use/like and where are you getting them from? I like to support the small guys, so if you have a good lead I would love to hear it.

2. Jacks and Stands: Any recommendations would be great.

3. Pit Equipment; Anything you feel you cant live without in the pits?

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A few other people have recommended Speedcom and I'll do the same. We switched from analog to digital radios a few years ago and the difference is amazing. Make sure you put a round piece of aluminum under the antenna to get a good signal (Speedcom will tell you all about this).

Quickjacks are nice as long as there is clearance. We use a jack that lifts the front via the wing that works well. Rear jack on the wing mount is common. Stands are nice, especially when doing end of day maintenance.

I use a lithium battery in the car and usually have no issues with starting. I have a jumper port on the car and bring a lithium jumper pack to the track and have yet to use it. I have a shaft driven alternator and the only issue I've had with it is the belt getting loose.

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Originally Posted by John LaRue

Call Jack at Speedcom and get his recommendations for your radio needs. Most importantly, find someone who has experience with these cars and engines. There are many people who will be eager to help out. John Walko is in the Pittsburgh area. He is one of the good ones in my book. Aside from that just post questions here and on the FC Racing Group Facebook page, you will get great responses from an experienced community. https://www.facebook.com/groups/156676828924564

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Thanks John! I will give them a call today to discuss options with Speedcom.

Luckily I purchased the car with the help of Brett at the Race Place next to PittRace, and he has been an immense amount of help so far! I met John Walko as well last year at the FRP event, and agree he was very knowledgeable.

I will check out the Facebook group as well! Thanks!!!

I'm new to FC as well, only had the car since June. I got a set of these rolling stands - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1. They work great, it's nice to be able to move the car around for more access to one side or the other, I can even turn it around in the garage. A bit of a pain to get on them. Have to first put the car on low stands to get a floor jack under it to get it high enough. High stands and a mechanics stool on wheels make working on the car much easier.

Like I said, I'm new here also but have learned a lot in the last few months. Was a bit overwhelmed at first but a generous member has helped me a ton with VD specific questions. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions, I'll be glad to help if I can.

Without a doubt, a simple cherry picker/engine hoist has saved me more grief/back pain from working on formula cars than anything else! They aren't expensive, and last forever. Simply put the car on low stands, get the hoist legs under it, and use a proper lifting sling to lift the car to the point where your tall stands (about 30" - I made mine 25 years ago out of square tube) slide under the car. Now you can work on the car w/o bending over/in.

Your back will thank me in 20 years:)

best,
bt

I have the A Frame Lift from mktechnologies.com. I was lucky to find one used around 10 years ago and it was the best purchase I ever made. I am a one man show and I can do everything with it by myself. Lift the car to high stands, pull the bellhousing, pull the motor.

There are cheaper options online of A frames but either way it's a worthwhile item.

https://www.mktechnologies.com/pit-equipment/lifts/

Brian

Glad to see you got a car, is it (was it) Greg's red car? When are you planning on racing it?

I think the October 14th-15th Mid Ohio race is going to be well attended. The GLC will be there and a couple of MZR cars should be there, too. Mid-O usually gathers a good field of FC cars.

As far as tools, I got involved 10 years ago from ground zero, scales and a flat-ish surface are important. Alignment tools and a dummy shaft for gear changes makes life a lot easier. PM with any questions.

Andrew

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Originally Posted by Agamble5

Glad to see you got a car, is it (was it) Greg's red car? When are you planning on racing it?

I think the October 14th-15th Mid Ohio race is going to be well attended. The GLC will be there and a couple of MZR cars should be there, too. Mid-O usually gathers a good field of FC cars.

As far as tools, I got involved 10 years ago from ground zero, scales and a flat-ish surface are important. Alignment tools and a dummy shaft for gear changes makes life a lot easier. PM with any questions.

Andrew

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Hi Andrew!

Yes, Greg's red car now lives a little further up north!

So the plan is to ran next year in FRP mostly and hopefully in some of the regional events like at Mid Ohio, and hopefully something back at Pitt. My son is actually who we plan to race in it. We are looking to make the next step up out of karts, and FC seemed like a logical step. He has driven at Lucas Oil School, but for this rest of this year, we are probably looking at track days at Nelson Ledges to shack down the car and get him used to it before we stick him in a pack of other cars.

I have a set of scales now, and definitely see that as a huge need. Alignment tools also seem like an must have, so I have those on order.

Look forward to seeing you on the track!

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Originally Posted by Spengo

What radios do you recommend? I don't have any yet and that is high on my to-purchase list.

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I would contact Charles at Racing Radios. He can get you a whole package shut up for a great deal

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Originally Posted by EYERACE

A Battery-Tender trickle charger for virtually constant charge when the car is anywhere other than out on track

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Perhaps just my experience, but I have had two Battery Tender chargers fail over the years, the second one refusing to stop charging an already charged battery (which resulted in a mess). I have one still, but I use it to top up the batteries in the shop only when I am in there, probably once a month in the off season - I never leave them on when I am not present. There are a number of stories of these things malfunctioning and burning down a guy's shop.

best,
bt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Agamble5

Glad to see you got a car, is it (was it) Greg's red car? When are you planning on racing it?

I think the October 14th-15th Mid Ohio race is going to be well attended. The GLC will be there and a couple of MZR cars should be there, too. Mid-O usually gathers a good field of FC cars.

As far as tools, I got involved 10 years ago from ground zero, scales and a flat-ish surface are important. Alignment tools and a dummy shaft for gear changes makes life a lot easier. PM with any questions.

Andrew

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I'm also new to FC, do you have a link to the October 14th-15th Mid Ohio race?