In this blog I intend to summarize the most basic steps to keep in mind when attending a race track as part of a racing team. I based on my personal experience as mechanical crew assistant for the Sub Champion Superbike Team in the Spain Cup 2014 (Open 600)

Motorbike: Yamaha YZF R6

Team:        MotoTecniX

Rider:        Toni Train

As a premise we have to understand that: All work on the bike that can be done in the workshop and not on the track, it should be. Thus minimizing any mishaps either in free practice on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (the race day).

STEPS TO CONSIDER
1.Take an inventory sheet to keep track of what gets in to the truck and what comes out of it.
2. Have folders setting sheets on hand. (for suspensions and checkup, torque, etc.)
3. Buy the rider tickets on Friday, you can buy it the same day, but not recommended.
4. The rider must make registration (generally, his agent does), this is done with an access code he has, can be done directly from the website of the institution in charge of the event.
5. Be prepared: Motorcycles, Parts and Human Resources
6. Logistics: Travel, accommodation and food for all the crew.
7. Travel: Cash, Route and Schedule.
8. Make the reserve of the Box one or more weeks before the event. Teams often have to set up a tent for doing this at the last days.
9. Once on track, we unload the truck. Keep in mind that when loading all equipment on the truck (while in our workshop), you have to think first what equipment must get out first, to being in the box. This way is much simpler and the download process more accurate.
10. Depending on the truck, we must be aware of the distribution of weight load in general, so in the curves goes smoothly, generally is common: Motorcycles in the center and tool cars in the background (behind the cabin); on the sides,on the inner walls of the load usually carry equipment panels (partition walls with logos team) and tables; such as for the rider,for the motorcycle or tools, as appropriate.

11. To unload the truck: First, we seek symmetry when assembling the box, why symmetrical? to create order, it shows professionalism, it is easier to work in such an arrangement and visually pleasing.

12. Therefore, the first thing we got off the truck will be the carpet or rug. The provision of this is essential for the teams that go down from the truck. The next thing to download, are the partition panels of the Box, we define the box with other teams and give us more presence, if is a shared Box. (Very common in Albacete, Spain). The following are important: Air compressors, phase adapters and extension cords, the rider fan, tire warmers, front and rear stands, etc.13. What things can we left in the truck? Spare tool carts, extra tires, fairings parts, tents, picnic tables, chairs, etc.
14. In case that we bring a mopets/scooter, we must left it out of the box and the key always in the same place, that way the hall crew team knows where is it. (To be in the box or leave with the scooter by the perimeter of the track, you must need an identification license that its provide by the organization of the event).
15. Assemble tire warmers, but without connecting.
16. We bikes batteries to charge a battery tender last night (maintainer load)
17. We start the motorcycles, have to achieve work temperature (70 °, Yamaha YZF R6 2008) and then turn it off, just to make sure that everything is ok, such as mechanical and electrical level.

18. Organize tires for: free practice, qualifying and race.
19. Check pressures, these data will given directly by your supplier of tires, i will not write on this blog the pressure specification because this data vary the pressures from one brand to another and from one model to another tire.

20. Remove the gasoline tank, then taking control of what quantity of gas that the motorcycle consume by each turns, usually are of 0.8- 0.9 liters per lap for a 600cc engine.
21. Important: Always be on the race track an hour before, either Friday, Saturday and Sunday. What for? To connect Tyres heaters.

22. Check race track temperature
23. On Saturday, Generally, there are two qualifying rounds, and here we look for quality laps.

24. Super Stock 600 race at the Copa Espana, typically run 12 laps on Sunday, are actually shorts races.
25. Talk to the rider about what wants to show him on the board.

26. Celebrate with your team !!!

Are these and many other steps that are important to notice, i make a basic summary for those who have the intrigue of how a race team of these categories is handled, there are many technical data and knowledge that aren’t wrote here, most probably i’ll make another blog more accurate for those who wanted!