Owning a track car is all about performance and adrenaline. But when racing season winds down, what you do in the off-season can make or break your car’s longevity and performance. Whether your vehicle is a weekend warrior or a fully built track machine, proper storage during the off-season protects your investment and ensures it's ready to go when spring rolls around.
Here are five essential tips to store your track car the right way.
1. Thoroughly Clean the Car Inside and Out
Before you put your track car away for weeks or months, give it a full detail. Track use leaves behind grime, brake dust, rubber debris, and sometimes even spilled fluids or fuel odors. Letting that residue sit over time can cause stains, corrosion, or mold.
Wash the exterior, clean the wheels, and remove any tar or track grime stuck to body panels. Pay attention to the undercarriage too, especially if the car has been on wet or dirty tracks. Inside the cabin, vacuum thoroughly and remove any food wrappers, water bottles, or gear. Moisture-absorbing products like silica gel packs can help prevent musty smells and mildew during storage.
2. Change Fluids and Top Off the Tank
It’s a good idea to change your oil before storage, especially if the car has seen heavy use on the track. Oil that has absorbed contaminants or fuel dilution can break down over time and leave sludge behind. Fresh oil helps preserve internal engine components during long periods of inactivity.
Top off your gas tank to prevent moisture buildup inside the tank, which can lead to corrosion. Adding a fuel stabilizer will keep the fuel from degrading and prevent gum or varnish from forming inside the fuel system. This is particularly important for high-performance engines that sit idle longer than daily drivers.
3. Protect the Battery
Leaving a battery connected for months without starting the car can cause it to drain completely. If that happens, it may not hold a charge again and could need replacement. You have a couple of options depending on your setup:
Disconnect the battery to prevent parasitic drain
Use a battery maintainer or trickle charger to keep it healthy
If your car has an aftermarket alarm or electronics that reset when the battery is disconnected, a maintainer is usually the better option.
4. Raise or Move the Tires Periodically
Track tires are often soft compound and can flat-spot easily when left sitting in one position. This is especially true in colder climates or unheated garages. To prevent this, you can do one of the following:
- Place the car on jack stands to relieve the weight from the tires and suspension
- Move the car slightly every few weeks to rotate the tire’s contact point
- Use tire cradles to distribute the weight more evenly
Maintaining proper tire pressure throughout storage also helps reduce flat spots. It may be tempting to deflate the tires slightly, but keeping them at the manufacturer’s recommended pressure is typically best.
5. Keep Pests, Moisture, and UV Exposure in Check
Long-term storage in a garage doesn’t automatically protect your vehicle from rodents or moisture. Rodents can chew wiring or build nests under the hood or in the airbox. To deter them, seal off entry points and avoid leaving snacks or wrappers in the cabin or trunk. Some car owners also use dryer sheets or peppermint oil as repellents, although results vary.
Moisture buildup can cause rust and mold. A breathable car cover can help regulate humidity without trapping condensation. If storing the car outdoors, use a weatherproof cover made for your vehicle’s shape, and elevate the wiper arms to prevent sticking.
Even inside, ultraviolet light can fade paint and damage interior materials. If your garage has windows, consider using a car cover or applying UV protection to exposed surfaces.
Bonus Tip: Plan for the Return to the Track
Before parking your track car for the off-season, think ahead to next season. Create a checklist of all tasks that need attention, ranging from minor repairs to future upgrades. Some owners use the off-season to refresh fluids, upgrade brakes, or prepare new parts for installation.
Storing your car properly means you can hit the track next season without dealing with surprises like dead batteries, seized brakes, or contaminated fuel.
Performance Car Storage Help from Chicane Motorsport in Olathe, KS
At Chicane Motorsport in Olathe, KS, we understand what your track car means to you. Our team can help prep your vehicle for safe, off-season storage or complete any performance upgrades while it’s off the road.
From fluid service to suspension inspections and more, our technicians will make sure your car is protected now and ready for action when the season returns. Contact us today to schedule your off-season service.