BostonDMD

Looking to buy a canopy/portable shelter for the track.

Mostly to get protection from the burning sun.

I don't have time to wait for a mail order, does anyone have any suggestions on which store actually walk in and buy a canopy?

Thanks........

chas911

Paolo, I purchased mine at the Sports Authority.

Charlie

BostonDMD

Charlie, any specific model and are you happy with it? tx

Chris M.

All I can recommend is to buy a REALLY good quality one. I have been through 2 cheapos at this point (the demise of one was my fault) and watched a high quality one go through a 3 day monsoon at Road Atlanta while maintaining its water-proofness. Don't skimp!

rlm328

Which one company made the high quality one?

Qwickrick

You will have to secure whatever you buy to the ground to prevent it from being blown off or away.
My wife has a EZ Up Canopy which she is happy with.

jaholmes

They are all the same. Just go to Dicks, Sports Authority, Wally-World. Keep your old rotors for weights.

Giacomo

I'd like to hear thoughts on the best value for price canopies available, mail order is fine for me but don't want to spend several thousands on the canopy.

chas911

Paolo, not sure of the brand but believe it is an EZ-up. I believe it was $129 and included a carry bag. I have had it for 2 seasons with no issues.

Charlie

chrisp

Of course the $500 commerical EZ-Ups are the best but the Wal-Mart $100 model and BJ's (similar price) are very good. Best way to tell is by weight. The $500 ones are hard to lift with one person. The $100 one is 50+ lbs while the $50 one is about 30-35 lbs. It all about the gauge and tube size of the steel used.

I have the $50 Wally-Mart and it works ok for the 2-3 times a year I use it. I've seen cheap ones like mine survive major storms and $500 commericial version disintigrate in a light wind. It's all how you tie them down. In even the best weather I always have at least one wheel/tire tied to each corner and when I'm not around (overnight) I put my car under it, drop it to it's lowest setting and strap it tightly to each corner of the car. I'm paranoid that my $40 canopy will blow away and damage someone's $100K car.

kurt M

Thank you. I do not have a $100K car but I have seen pop ups flying around paddocks too many times. Wheels, trailers, cars, trash cans, 5 gal jugs filled with water, Sunday a.m. hung over students can all be used to help keep them in place. Even the good ones can be damaged in use or by wind. The cheap ones area good value but the expensive ones do last a bit better. Any cheap or not can be trashed if thet get loose. I got a nice light weight one from Costco. Same price as the cheap ones but much better quaility.

Glen

Paulo,
Not sure what sort of trailer You have but if enclosed then for a long term solution add an awning. Almost any RV shop can do it and You will be amazed at the difference it makes in how You feel at the end of each day....if open then ez up at sams or costco is the best and make it the size You can set up on top of Your trailer ie tie it down to Your trailer. It keeps You up off the concrete and makes a huge difference believe it or not. Come to Road America...second favorite behind Watkins for me as far as track. Favorite for overall event, the location, weather, track, history, region hospitality, drive into town in Your race car at speed with police escort etc...famous driver speaking at the dinner(AWESOME DINNER) in town, awesome race cars circling the square etc....all makes for an incredible experience! Long tow I know, same for me...always worth it!

Tom W

My EZ up is finally starting to die after 7 years. While I have graduated an awning on the trailer for people, I use the EZ up to shade the car now. I highly recommend the sand bags that they sell to anchor it. I've seen too many people use spare wheels with a simple hook/strap and have the thing go flying around while they were out in a run session. A 10' x 10' is on the smaller side and a 12' x 12' is a nice size.

Circuit Motorsports

The EZup that they sell at Sam's Club. 190 bucks is what I think it was last time I saw it there.

ew928

Ages ago, one of the club racers got tired of the sun beating on him and bought a canopy from one of the on-track vendors at Watkins Glen. Not sure if the vendors still truck canopies to the races.
Have enough straps on hand to weight it down as suggested above.
Old rotors. Spare wheels.
Heavy stuff to prevent lift from wind.