Preparing a classic car for a rally isn't just about the final checks before you leave home. There is the car itself to prepare, tools and spares to organise, safety equipment to check and, depending on the event, navigation and tracking equipment to consider too.
Whether you're preparing for your first HERO-ERA event or getting ready for another season of historic rallying, doing the simple jobs at home can make life considerably easier once you arrive at the start.
Here are some of the useful things to check as part of your classic car rally preparation.
Rally safety equipment: start with the basics
Some of the smallest pieces of rally equipment are also among the easiest to forget.
A warning triangle, hi-vis vests and first aid kit should be prepared and accessible rather than disappearing beneath luggage once the car is packed.
An SOS/OK board should also be amongst the equipment going into the car, while an emergency hammer and seatbelt cutter is another small and easily stored addition.
It is always important to check the regulations for the particular event you are entering, but getting your basic rally safety equipment together early means there is less to deal with immediately before the start.
Bulbs, fuses and useful rally spares
A failed bulb or fuse can be a relatively small problem – provided you have the replacement you need.
A universal bulb and fuse kit is an easy addition to the spares carried in a classic rally car and takes up very little space.
Think about where the smaller items are stored too. Having the right spare isn't much help if it has disappeared to the bottom of the car underneath everything else.
Tyre pressure and tread checks
Tyres are naturally an important part of rally car preparation, and a couple of small tools make it considerably easier to keep an eye on them.
A tyre pressure gauge allows pressures to be checked before and during an event, while a tyre tread-depth gauge is another compact addition to the tool kit.
These are useful well beyond rallying too, making them worthwhile additions to any classic car garage or workshop.
Tools for classic rally car preparation
You don't need to take the contents of the workshop with you, but it's worth considering which tools and equipment you are likely to need during an event.
Socket and spanner sets, torque tools, worklights and other compact workshop equipment can all have a place in preparing and servicing the car.
A ground sheet also provides somewhere suitable to work around the vehicle, while a spill kit is another important part of the equipment carried for an endurance event.
The HERO Store's Garage & Workshop range has grown considerably and now brings together many of the tools and workshop products useful for preparing a classic or historic rally car.
Oils, lubricants and car maintenance
Good rally preparation begins before the car leaves the garage.
Routine maintenance provides an opportunity to check the car and deal with oils, lubricants, greases and other fluids before an event rather than worrying about them later.
The HERO Store now carries a wider selection of classic car oils, lubricants and car preparation products, alongside tools and equipment for the garage.
Rally navigation and vehicle tracking
Navigation and tracking are another part of preparing for many historic and endurance rallies.
The HERO Store carries Monit rally computers and accessories, together with the associated installation equipment.
The equipment permitted or required can vary, so competitors should always refer to the regulations and information issued for their particular HERO-ERA event before choosing or installing navigation and tracking equipment.
Classic car rally preparation checklist
Before closing the garage door, it's worth running through the equipment you've prepared.
- First aid kit
- Hi-vis vests
- Warning triangle
- SOS/OK board
- Emergency hammer / seatbelt cutter
- Bulb and fuse kit
- Spill kit
- Ground sheet
- Required navigation and tracking equipment
Getting the straightforward jobs done at home leaves fewer things to worry about when you arrive at the start.
The HERO Store Rally Equipment and Garage & Workshop ranges bring together an increasing selection of equipment for classic car rally preparation, servicing and life in the garage.
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