Race Car Storage: Everything You Need To Know To Park Your Car Safely

If you love to compete in races, there’s a good chance you have more than one car. And if you’re like many racers out there, then chances are at least one of those cars is an expensive machine—probably worth more than your house! The most costly racecars can cost millions of dollars, so it only makes sense to store them well during the off-season or when they’re not being used daily. 

Fortunately for you, keeping your racecar properly doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Follow these tips and tricks below to ensure that your precious machine stays safe and sound until the next time it hits the track!

Start by finding a location that’s convenient and away from traffic

If you have a garage, that’s the ideal place to park your car—it’s out of the elements and away from traffic. If you don’t have a garage, there are still many options if you want to keep your car safe.

Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren, has an impressive collection ranging from silverware to cars and is lucky enough to have a 62,000 sqft area to house his collection. Obviously, this is not the norm, and for us mere mortals, If possible, get your car into a covered location. This will protect it from rain, snow, and UV rays; these can all damage your paint job over time. The best places for this kind of parking would be under an overhang or beside an open garage door that faces south or west for maximum sun exposure protection.

If no such structure is available you can always look into storing cars longer term using long-term parking apps like Parkhound, which offers secure parking locations across Australia. 

The first step is to make sure you store your car correctly

The first step to storing your car is ensuring it’s in good working order. If there are any issues with the car, have them fixed before storing it away. Ensure the tires are in good condition and have enough tread. Change out the oil and filter as well; this will help ensure that when you pull out of storage, your engine will be ready to go without any issues.

Washing your vehicle will help protect against rusting while in storage, and covering it up with a tarp or blanket will help keep dust from collecting on its surface—both of which can lead to corrosion over time. Ideally, choose a dry place like an attic or basement for storage where it should be cool (between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit) and dry throughout the year–a garage would work great here!

Then make sure that the location has steady temperatures and no moisture

Then make sure that the location has steady temperatures and no moisture. It’s important to keep your car in a place where the temperature is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, as this will prevent condensation from forming inside your vehicle. Condensation can cause rust on metal parts and mold and mildew growth on upholstery.

Keep your car waxed and in good condition before storage

Before putting your car away for the winter, it’s a good idea to wash and wax it. Washing will remove any dirt or grime accumulated on the paint and protect it from rusting over the winter months. Waxing your car will help keep water from seeping into small cracks in the paint, which can cause rust spots once spring arrives.

If you have time before storing your vehicle, clean out all interior items like cup holders and door pockets, so they don’t get dirty during storage. If you don’t have space in your garage for both cars, wash one car while keeping another outside.

Cover the tires, so they don’t get dried out by the sun, then wash them with some soapy water to make sure they’re protected

Next, wash the tires with soapy water. Use a brush to clean them, then rinse and dry them with a towel. This will help prevent any damage from occurring during storage.

Finally, use tire covers to keep the sun off your tires and ensure they’re protected while in storage. These can be purchased or made at home using plastic sheeting or tarps on top of cardboard boxes filled with sand or gravel.

Change the oil and filter before storage, just as you would with any other car

Change the oil and filter before storage, just as you would with any other car. You want to keep your race car running at its best, so don’t forget this crucial step.

Because race cars are driven hard and often, it’s a good idea to change the oil every 2 to 3 months when you’re not driving them (and also during storage). Like any other vehicle, regularly changing the oil will help prevent premature wear on moving parts inside the engine.

Takeaway

Budding cars enthusiastic will know it is not just as simple as parking a car up in a garage and leaving it. When it comes to storing your racecar in ideal conditions, there are a few things to remember. The key is to protect both the interior and exterior of your car and keep it in good condition when it’s not in use so that you save money on repairs or upgrades later on.

• Store your car in a cool, dry location with no direct sunlight. This will help prevent rusting and damage from moisture buildup as well as UV rays that will bleach out tires over time.
• Protect the tires from UV damage by covering them with plastic bags during storage periods. Wipe down any visible dirt or grime with warm soapy water before covering them up again; this will also help prevent premature cracking of rubber due to freezing temperatures when winter sets in (see below).

Remember, this is a hobby. You can’t expect perfection every time, but with a little bit of care and cleaning, you’ll be able to keep your car looking good for years to come.