Oilpressure

By Susan Phillips

As we wait out this long weather delay at Barber Motorsports Park, I thought I’d chime in with something useful for future race-goers. This one’s more for the women who read Oilpressure, but I will assume some guys will find it helpful.

I was really not prepared for our trip to the Honda Grand Prix of Alabama, even though it was later than usual in the schedule. Just coming off what I call an “eating holiday” at work, where it gets insane–yes, people actually fight over cake. I was too tired In the evenings to start pulling things together for a trip.

First, I thought of how pasty white my complexion has become from the long winter. I quickly grabbed on of my Groupons for a spray tan. I headed to the tanning place and listened (or so I thought–to the instructions, she said it talks you through the process). I am severely directionally challenged, so when it said face the front of the booth first, I didn’t realize that THEIR front was different to what MY front was. Needless to say, I have the most tanned under forearms ever! Nothing I can do about that now. It is lovely.

Now it is time to grab my “necessities”–who does not spend about $50 in the travel sample section of Target? I solved the problem somewhat by having a little transparent bag filled with travel size items. Since I am a Sephora addict, I have plenty of little packets from there also. The problem is checking which items are empty from the last trip–I will get organized for that someday.

This little pouch from Pinch Provision is probably the best thing they have ever made for women (I hear they have a men’s version also). It has everything from earring backs to breath freshener–all in a 3.5 inch zippered case.

I have my son’s old case from when he wore that retainer for a few days– and that is my race day jewelry box! I keep my Wing & Wheel earrings and my prized little IndyCar’s that I save for race day in there. Why I have not lost those tiny little cars after 8 years I will never know, same with my checkered-flag sunglasses.

Of course, I have my “medicine cabinet,” which contains all sorts of remedies for any malady you may get. Don’t ask about my stuffed shrimp experience a few years ago during qualifying weekend. It was not pretty. Echinacea is a must for me, as you never know when your immune system needs a boost!

Then come clothes. Race weekends are very unpredictable, weather-wise. At Indy our seats used to be behind pit road, so after many years of near-heatstroke, we moved across the track into the shade. I didn’t expect to be wearing a hoodie all weekend last year, but I am glad I brought one. The ones in the gift shop have a tendency to be a bit pricey and I have several, so I may have reached critical mass on those. So I bring the gamut of clothing for a day at the beach or the frozen tundra.

I also make a road trip snack bag, filled with provisions for eating on the road. I know this comes as a big surprise to you, but George does not like to stop once we are on our way to our destination. A must-have for me are Starbucks Via Refreshers. They are made with green coffee extract and Stevia, just a quick pour of the packet into bottled water and you’re set. I love the Valencia Orange flavor.

Another must-have is my sewing kit for sewing on those patches we get at the track. Oilpressure is no fan of dri-fit, so we come armed with 100% cotton polos for a quick sew-on of this year’s race logo.

Last but not least, I must pack my Oilpressure logo-wear. Publicity is a must for us when we go to a race. I am still amazed at how many people recognize George.

I hope you don’t mind my little foray off topic this race weekend, but part of a successful race weekend is being prepared. So if you see me walking around the race grounds, feel free to hit me up for a needle and thread or a bandaid for your blisters. I probably have it in my bag.

This entry was posted on April 27, 2014 at 3:30 pm and is filed under IndyCar. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.