Things at the race track tend to get chaotic. When it gets out of hand, this chaos can lead to thousands of dollars worth of lost tools and damaged equipment, which is why proper storage is essential. Beyond that, having everything organizing in one location, especially if it’s mobile, makes life in the shop and in the pits exponentially easier.

Tool and equipment storage needs to be compact, mobile, and all-inclusive. And no one understands this better than the crew at Irvan-Smith Inc. Irvan-Smith has been servicing the racing industry for 30 years. Its pit carts and pit wagons can be found at nearly any race across the country. It offers a wide array of standard and custom pit wagons, crash carts, fuel carts, tire dollies, and just any other cart needed to transport equipment over the course of a race weekend. Beyond the carts and wagons, Irvan-Smith also has everything needed to fill them.

  • Ctrp 1302 34 Thinking Outside The Pit Box Irvan Smith Tool Organizers Specialized Compartments
    Organized storage is important. The crew at Irvan-Smith knows all about it, and specializes in pit carts and pit wagons.
    Organized storage is important. The crew at Irvan-Smith knows all about it, and specialize
  • Ctrp 1302 03 Thinking Outside The Pit Box Irvan Smith Tool Organizers Frame Construction
    01. Each box’s frame starts on a jig. The entire box is built off of the square-tube frame, so it’s extremely important that it’s square and level.
    01. Each box’s frame starts on a jig. The entire box is built off of the square-tube fram
  • Ctrp 1302 31 Thinking Outside The Pit Box Irvan Smith Tool Organizers Unassembled Parts
    02. Once the frame is complete, the wheels and steering can be installed.
    02. Once the frame is complete, the wheels and steering can be installed.
Ctrp 1302 08 Thinking Outside The Pit Box Irvan Smith Tool Organizers Steering System
03. The steering system is not overly complicated. A handle, which is also used to pull or push the cart, uses two tie rods to turn the wheels. Not unlike a manual steering setup from a car.
03. The steering system is not overly complicated. A handle, which is also used to pull or push the cart, uses two tie rods to turn the wheels. Not unlike a manual steering setup from a car.
  • 04.0 As pit wagons get larger, they get heavier.
  • Ctrp 1302 05 Thinking Outside The Pit Box Irvan Smith Tool Organizers Hand Brake
    04.1 As an option, Irvan-Smith offers many upgrades, one of which being hydraulic disc brakes.
    04.1 As an option, Irvan-Smith offers many upgrades, one of which being hydraulic disc br
  • Ctrp 1302 09 Thinking Outside The Pit Box Irvan Smith Tool Organizers Frame And Rolling Stock
    05. With the frame and rolling stock complete, the skeleton of the box begins to take shape.
    05. With the frame and rolling stock complete, the skeleton of the box begins to take sha
  • Ctrp 1302 07 Thinking Outside The Pit Box Irvan Smith Tool Organizers Skeleton
    06. With the frame and rolling stock complete, the skeleton of the box begins to take shape.
    06. With the frame and rolling stock complete, the skeleton of the box begins to take sha
  • 07.1 Our box is the standard small box with a toolbox.
  • 07.2 Here is the completed frame before it was skinned.
  • 08.0 Each piece of sheetmetal is cut specifically to fit each box.
  • 08.1 Once measurements are taken..
  • Ctrp 1302 15 Thinking Outside The Pit Box Irvan Smith Tool Organizers Sheetmetal Break
    08.2 ... the corners are cut and each piece is bent in a sheetmetal break.
    08.2 ... the corners are cut and each piece is bent in a sheetmetal break.
09. Next, each door is cut for the latch.

When it comes to pit carts and wagons, your specific needs are going to dictate what cart or wagon will work best for you. The staff at Irvan-Smith are experts at custom tailoring a box to your needs, or getting you the standard wagon if that will work best for your budget and what you’re doing. From a small mobile toolbox, to a custom Cup-style pit box, Irvan-Smith can build a box or boxes to fit all of your pit needs.

Recently, Circle Track ordered a new pit wagon from Irvan-Smith. During the time it was being built, we thought it might be a good idea to show you just what goes into the centerpiece of your pit equipment. The following pages contain a brief look at how one of Irvan-Smith’s pit wagons start as raw tubing, and become a useful means of tool, parts, and equipment storage. Keep an eye out in future editorial for our new Irvan-Smith pit wagon whenever we work in the shop or head to the track.

  • Ctrp 1302 35 Thinking Outside The Pit Box Irvan Smith Tool Organizers Cut For Latch
    10. These are the latches Irvan-Smith uses for its doors. They are strong enough to survive the harsh racing environment, yet small enough to not take up valuable space in a pit wagon.
    10. These are the latches Irvan-Smith uses for its doors. They are strong enough to survi
  • 11. Now the doors get riveted to the skeleton.
  • 12. A piano hinge is used to let the doors open and close.
Ctrp 1302 19 Thinking Outside The Pit Box Irvan Smith Tool Organizers Finished Product
13. The finished product is super clean and, as you can see, drops completely open to allow full access to the inside.
13. The finished product is super clean and, as you can see, drops completely open to allow full access to the inside.
  • Ctrp 1302 20 Thinking Outside The Pit Box Irvan Smith Tool Organizers Completed Tinwork
    14. After the tinwork is complete, the pit box begins look a little more familiar.
    14. After the tinwork is complete, the pit box begins look a little more familiar.
  • Ctrp 1302 24 Thinking Outside The Pit Box Irvan Smith Tool Organizers Secure Toolbox
    15. The toolbox is next. It’s put into position and secured before the drawers are installed.
    15. The toolbox is next. It’s put into position and secured before the drawers are instal
  • Ctrp 1302 25 Thinking Outside The Pit Box Irvan Smith Tool Organizers Drawers In Place
    16. With the toolbox drawers in place, out new pit wagon moves closer to completion.
    16. With the toolbox drawers in place, out new pit wagon moves closer to completion.
  • Ctrp 1302 21 Thinking Outside The Pit Box Irvan Smith Tool Organizers Finished Wagon
    17.1 The finished product is ready to be lettered, filled with tools and pit equipment...
    17.1 The finished product is ready to be lettered, filled with tools and pit equipment...
  • 17.2 ... and put to good use at the track.
  • Ctrp 1302 23 Thinking Outside The Pit Box Irvan Smith Tool Organizers Finished Steering View
    17.3 Look for our new pit wagon in our tech stories and track test sessions very soon!
    17.3 Look for our new pit wagon in our tech stories and track test sessions very soon!
SOURCE
Irvan-Smith, Inc.
800-221-7223
http://www.irvansmith.com
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