11 Must-Have Items for Your Next Track Day
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This article was updated with new products and information in March 2025.
If you have a fun car, we highly recommend taking it to the track. Whether it's one of the SCCA's Track Nights in America or an open lapping day put together by a local organization, there are plenty of ways to see how your car performs in a closed-course environment. It's always a great experience.
Of course, you'll need to come prepared. Showing up to a track day without these essential items could leave you uncomfortable on track, make the day a miserable experience, or even get you turned away from the event. Here's what you should bring to any track day if you want to have a good time.Pretty much every officially sanctioned performance driving event will require you to have a Snell-rated crash helmet. So if you're planning on attending a track day, you'll have to get one.
Bell makes a wide range of motorsport helmets, and even its most affordable models—like the V.15 BRUS unit shown here—look great and fit comfortably.
$577.44 at amazon.comIf you're using a helmet, we recommend also putting on a headsock, also known as a balaclava. It prevents your sweat from soaking into your helmet's padding, so you don't have to clean it as often.
If you plan to do any real racing, find a headsock made from Nomex that's been SFI- or FIA-certified, like one of these from .
$74.95 at amazon.comYou might not think you need driving gloves for a track day, but grip the wheel hard enough and long enough, and the blisters on your fingers will say differently.
351 Series auto racing gloves are a one-layer Nomex and suede leather glove built to SFI-1 specifications that provide a soft and supple feel.
$44.96 at amazon.comYou may already own one of each of these handy devices—but why bring several units when you can just pack one? Ideal for quick jump-starts or dialing in your tire pressure, you'll be a paddock hero with this all-in-one device.
It features a car jump starter, tire pump, pressure gauge, portable power bank, 45W fast charging ports, and 4-mode LED light including flash, flood, and emergency.
$189.99 at amazon.comPushing your car to the limit means lots of stress on its mechanical components. If something breaks, be prepared to fix it with a toolset like this one from . It could mean the difference between getting home and having to call a tow truck.
$257.24 at amazon.comAs track temperatures increase throughout the day, the air inside your tires will expand and contract. Unless your car has an on-board monitoring system that reads pressures for each tire, you're going to want to have a pressure gauge on hand to make sure your tires are inflated properly.
$15.99 at amazon.comA pop-up canopy will make those long hours waiting in the paddock a bit easier and more comfortable. These provide enough shady space that you can even park your car under it between sessions, stopping the cabin from heating up in the sun.
$99.99 at amazon.comMost track day events have several different groups, and when your group isn't on the course, you'll likely have some downtime between sessions. There aren't many places to relax in race paddocks, so bringing a folding chair of your own is highly recommended—especially one with a sunshade canopy.
This one from GCI Outdoors is a comfortable rocker that includes a canopy made of UPF 50+ fabric—ideal for sweltering days on the tarmac.
$90.00 at amazon.comBeing outside all day means you'll need a way to stay hydrated. Instead of wasting plastic, we suggest filling up a reusable water bottle before you head out for the day.
The Rambler from is one of the most popular on the market. Ramblers come in many sizes, but since you're going to be out there all day, we recommend sizing up to this 46-ounce version.
$55.00 at amazon.comTracks will sometimes have on-site vending, perhaps even a food truck or two—but most will not. Bring your own lunch, snacks, and cold drinks in an ice chest. Roto-molded ice chests work great, but since portable electric coolers are all the rage these days, we recommend this one from BougeRV.
It can be used as both a refrigerator and freezer, but also as a fridge/freezer, with dual top doors keeping things cool inside. It plugs into your car's 12v outlet and also features an AC plug. Pair it with a portable solar panel for peace of mind.
$309.10 at amazon.comUnless you dropped the extra cash to rent a garage space for your track event, you're likely going to be spending the entire day outside in the sun. Sunscreen is essential for protecting your skin, so don't skip out.
$13.97 at amazon.com
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