Ah, springtime, and that old carburetor allows the faint odor of gasoline to permeate the air. Rolling out from underneath your iron beast on your mechanic’s creeper, evidence of oil drips and brake dust clings to your overalls. Cranking it up, your ears detect the irregular chugging of a 70-year-old engine begging for a new set of points. These events, simultaneously tingling the senses, can mean only one thing — Rally Season is here!
It is easy to remember the need to ensure your vehicle is prepared and ready for the upcoming competition. However, it is just as important not to overlook the need to tend to your navigational aides. Yes, I’m talking about changing the batteries in your clock and a few other items.
Time of Day Clock
These typically operate from a single AA battery or a pair of AAA batteries. These batteries need to be changed every year. Now is the time. Don’t even think about using the ones from last year.
Stopwatch Batteries
If you use a digital stopwatch with AA or AAA batteries, then change them now. If your digital stopwatch uses a lithium coin battery, such as a CR2032, ask yourself when was the last time you changed it? If you can’t remember, or you know it’s going on 3 years, then change it now. If you are like me and prefer an analog stopwatch, then you know to wind it every stage (perhaps multiple times).
Wristwatch
When was the last time you changed the battery in your analog wristwatch? The watch I bought two years ago stopped working last week, prompting the writing of this post. I would suggest changing these every other year. This isn’t pedestrian life, where you can wear a watch until it stops working and then find and replace the battery (or take it to a jeweler). No, this is rally life, a competition, and you don’t have time for such distractions.
Flashlight Batteries
Don’t forget to change those flashlight batteries.
Speedometer
Does your speedometer rely on an auxiliary or supplemental battery to help isolate it from the vehicle’s electrical system? If so, what is the expected life of that battery versus its current age? Does it still fully charge?
Vehicle
I, and many others, are often amazed by the precision life expectancy of our car’s 12-volt battery. More than once, we’ve seen a 30-month battery give out a month after its warranty expires. What is the status of your vehicle’s primary battery?
Cell Phone
Starting this year, the Great Race is requiring all Time Allowance Requests to be submitted via the internet. Cell phones are not allowed while “on the clock” during competition, but they are necessary for this specific task. If your phone did not fully charge overnight or lost its charge while being stowed away, then you may find yourself in a predicament. Make sure your competition vehicle has the means of charging your cell phone.
3, 2, 1, GO!
That’s all for now. Check and/or replace those batteries, and ‘ll see you down the road!
Feature photo by John Cameron on Unsplash (with edits).