Meridian, ID, is home to one of the most successful short-track venues in the country. Established in 1951, the Meridian Speedway is a huge influence on the surrounding community and cities. If you’ve ever raced there, you know how exhilarating it can be. But things don’t just stop when you’re off the track. You need to maintain your vehicle, and placing it in proper storage will keep it in good condition. Central Self Storage is sharing these five tips on how to keep your racing vehicle safe off the track, so you’ll enjoy racing at the Speedway for years to come.
Find Your Self Storage Match
The first order of business is to find a storage facility that has a designated area for vehicle storage. Our Meridian, ID, storage facility features covered outdoor parking that helps protect your car from unruly weather conditions. Not only will your vehicle be in better shape than it would be when left out in the sun, but you’ll also be able to visit the facility when it’s time for detailing, upgrades, and repairs.
Make a Timeline
Once your season has come to a close, map out a timeline of the work you want to do on your car. Start by determining when you want to have your car on the track again, then pace yourself through the off-season. Work through your car part-by-part so you don’t cut anything short and can be thorough. Being proactive during the off-season will bring your car to its full potential when it’s go-time again.
Keep it Clean
Before you move your car into parking storage, give it a good cleaning. It’s important to not miss the nooks and crannies because it’ll make your job a little easier when you need to examine the smaller parts of your vehicle. Once you’re done spraying down everything, finish it with a quality wax that will protect the exterior from any surface damage. It’s important to make sure your car is clean when you’re covering it. Find a tightly secured, breathable car cover that is both waterproof and snug. You’re looking for protection and a way to keep out moisture.
Moisture is Your Worst Enemy
The biggest risk you run when storing your car is exposure to moisture; this can result in rust and corrosion, which will cause problems in the future. There are a few things you’ll want to do, starting with draining water out of the radiator and block. You should also drain gas from your tank, fuel lines, and fuel pumps. Next, remove spark plugs and spray oil in all the cylinders; this will help prevent corrosion to your engine.
Create a Mini Checklist
There are many small things that you’ll want to take care of. The best way to tackle these tasks is to create a small list and tape it to the seat or steering wheel of your car so you don’t forget what you’ve done. Stuff a rag in the exhaust pipe to prevent anything from entering your race car, but remember to remove it before starting up your car later. Also, if your car has windshield wipers, place a rag underneath the blades to prevent them from sticking. Brakes tend to stick, as well, so avoid leaving your handbrake engaged. Instead, opt to keep your car in gear and chock your wheels.
Rent Parking Storage Today at Central Self Storage
There is much to take care of during the off-season to protect your racing vehicle from damage. No matter what you do, start with finding a storage facility with the capacity for car storage near you. When you rent vehicle storage with Central Self Storage, your race car will stay in the security of a fully-fenced facility with 24/7 video recording, so you can always be ready to get your car back out on the Meridian Speedway doing what it was made to do: win.
