Preparation

By Bob Fisher
6/14/05

If you get to the track early and you're in the pits
Take time to listen to some of the sounds that you otherwise would miss.
Now go pick a spot over near your favorite crew
And watch and listen to the things they have to do.
It all starts when the crew arrives in their team truck.
You hear the doors open and hear the doors shut.
Everyone knows their job and there’s a lot to get done
Before the crew chiefs get there and it’s time to make the first run.

You hear the starter on the generator engage;
The powerplant's running, it’s another work day.
Now the trailer doors are open and in goes the crew;
They’ll unload parts to work on and unload the racecar too.
So, some pushin' and pullin', the car rolls out on the door
Someone says, Goin' down to the racetrack that's on the ground floor.
The whir of the hydraulic motor makes a funny sound
But before you know it the car is sitting on the ground.

Now some fans thought, Let’s get closer for a better look would be cool,
But the crew had to move 'em back in case they dropped the little jewel.
So it's up on the front and up and forward on the back,
Carry it over to where they place it on the body rack.
It sits on this rack 'cuz it gets checked a lot and they need to get under it,
Then they go get the chassis and push it in the pit.

Body's in its place and the chassis is too,
Crew gets busy on the things left to do.
Hydraulic lifts slide under the car then the car gets raised up
And tool trays put on the chassis that were just brought out from the truck.

Then around the corner come the tuners in a brand new rental car
And ask where do we park? We hope we don’t have to walk too far.
Here I’ll park it for you, one of the crew member says.
And it’s up into park, open the doors and into their trailer where they’ll stay most the day.
Then the crew chiefs both look at each and one says, Nice kid. What do ya say, I think he needs a raise.

Now every one gets quiet cuz usually the first order of the day
Is, if the weather changed their tune-up, the head gaskets need replaced.
Crew keeps on working there’s lists of things to do --
Pistons, short blocks, cylinder heads, re-strip blowers too.
Then the crew chief yells out of the trailer, Has anyone seen our driver today?
Yeah, I saw him on Hooter's cart and he wasn’t headed this way.
Well, if anybody sees him between now and when we go to run
I’d like to start the car 'cuz there’s still some work needs be done.

Hey, look who just showed with three Hooter's girls in the Hooter cart.
He looks familiar, he looks like the guy that drives our car, our very own Throttle Star.
Yeah, it’s just that good to see you too. Just make sure the fire bottles are full, okay?
'Cuz I don’t feel like being set on fire on such a nice day.

Well, the crews been here four hours and it’s time almost to run.
Here’s where things start getting a little more serious 'cuz it ain’t always games and fun.
'Cuz the main purpose for all this is to be best in the class
And winning on Sundays, makin' sure our car is always safe and fast.

So everyone is in his place, the driver's in the car.
Now a crewman backs the motor down with an engine-turning bar,
Then the starter is placed on the blower drive and the dog gear tightened in,
Then the chief takes the gas bottle and before you know it the motor’s idlin'.
A quick look, no leaks, seat the clutch, check the idle, no emergencies so far.
Take the info from the computer, then they shut off the car.

Now the crew back in action goes to work again --
Drain the oil, set the valves and clutch, air the tires, top off the fuel, the work never ends.
Adjust the flows, add new oil, fill the driver's air bottle, too.
Body goes on, safety equipment check, now go pack the chutes.
Things are moving fast now cuz it’s almost time to run.
A quick look around -- yep, it looks like nothing got overlooked; looks like everything is done.

As the car gets towed to the starting line, in line with all the rest
Everyone on the crew knows they’ve all done their best.
Now the driver will take all this preparation and put it to the test
'Cuz right now their task is to qualify number one and be quicker than all the rest.
The team that's been assembled at this time and in this place --
The common goal that they all share is they want to WIN THE RACE.