Need suggestions on spares, tools, etc!

[Hornswoggler]

Picked up a Birel M31 and Rotax this past spring. The pro shop at Norway has been very awesome at the track, and so have my fellow racers, but I want to get a little more independent when it comes to kart maintenance and repairs. Looking for suggestions on what kind of parts and tools I should pick-up so I can take with to the track.

I have some basics, like t-handles, wrenches, screwdrivers, and even a set of jets for the carb. Also have simple green, wd-40, chain lube, and tri-flow.

Don't assume I have much more, LOL!

so what are the first bits and pieces I should stock? Some thoughts I have, but could use suggestions and input (and order of priority):

- cordless impact driver (for changing wheels)
- tape measure (for toe?), or get myself a laser alignment setup?
- Vice grips
- Spare throttle cable (what length, end type?)
- Spare exhaust mounting hardware
- 9V batteries for data acq
- Spare axle?
- spare brake pads?
- spare brake fluid?
- spare gears (what is good for a Rotax at michaiana raceway park?)
- spare wheels (what size do I shop for?)
- spare chain? (What size/spec?)
- what about air filters, fuel filters, and spark plugs?
- Do i need a set of carb needles?
- Wrench 2 Win DVD's (anybody seen these and have review?)

some of these items i have needed from experience, or suspect they should be done but have no idea what to shop for. Also, if you guys have suggestions on where to get this stuff, I am all ears. I'll be sure and give norway first shot on the things they stock or can order, but i'm sure some things I'll have to get elsewhere.

I know building this stuff up takes time. Just looking for suggestions on what I should get next, and if I am missing anything with a high chance of failure. Thanks in advance!

[avmaviator]

Collin,

Glad to hear you got a kart :-)

You current list is good. There are a few things which I'll described below.

As far as your list. You could separated in a few categories. There are parts/tools that you need on a daily basis (especially if you go to different tracks), some of those would be gears, jets, tools required for normal operation at the track.
For actual spares, there are the more common "wear" items that will ruin your day if you don't have any and you break one (for normal track operations, ie not taking off track excursions in count). Those are usually chains, thottle cables, possibly brake pads (less common), plugs (those could also fall in the daily category tho), and such.
After that, you have your spares for uncommon "wear" (off track excursions or just bad luck), like tie rods, seat bolts, belly pan bolts, etc... These are helpful to have for sure but not a necessity, just depends on how "stocked up" you want to be. These will definitely keep you running, most of the time. Exhaust mounting hardware falls in this category.
Then you have the hard-to-find, your-kart-specific parts, that might be difficult to track down at a different track who don't carry those brands, or tracks without shops.
As far as tools, just like the parts, there are tools you need daily, and some you need just occasionally. But to be honest, the "occasional" tools I carry are usually for jobs I would prefer doing on my workbench at home and not at the track, but nevertheless, nice to have.
Daily tools like you mentioned are the usual vice grips, wrenches/socket set, t-allens, etc.. It could also encompass piston stoppers, chain breaker, flywheel holders (depending on engines and such), a basic tool box usually take care of all these items.
Then you have the tools you don't need that often but could be nice to use at the track in certain events such as, alignment lasers, engine tools, and so on.

I know this is pretty vague but you'll get a good idea of the tools/spares you need as you start working on your kart and see what stuff you use more often then others. So far I have not had my day ruined because I didn't bring something, or there has always been somebody out there to help me out (which I love about this sport).

Don't know anything about the DVD you mentioned.

Have fun at the track this year! I'm almost done putting my stuff back together and really looking forward to going to Norway and more :)

[Hornswoggler]

Thanks for the info!!

[Hornswoggler]

This MRP "Pit Kit" looks pretty awesome!

www.mrpmotorsport.com/technical/howto-gobirel-pitkit.pdf