Owns 3 imports, still managed to spend $80 visting Summit Racing

Took a weekend trip to Cleveland last weekend, this was our first stop.  Turns out my friend we stayed with lives about 5 miles away, perfect.

After weaving through all the brodozer pickup's in the parking lot we went in to stretch our legs.  If I owned a Camaro or Mustang this place would be a candy store, but I still managed to blow about $80 on a new cooler/bag for AX/RX, touch-sensitive mechanic's gloves that actually work (now my new winter gloves), some Weather Tech wheel cleaner to try, and a big stuffed Nitrous bottle that will be hilarious for Cars and Coffee this weekend.

Similar experience here (we have one just south of Atlanta).  As far as trips to a brick-n-mortar store goes, it's pretty entertaining.  Parts selection is limited for me because import, but the selection of safety gear makes it a great place to try on SA-rated helmets, gloves, and that sort of thing.  I think the last time I was there I left with a monster truck toy, some kind of redneck shirt, and some low-density roll-bar padding (aka pool noodles) for the kids to whack each other with.

I always spend money after finding crap on the clearance shelves in the corner...

2 separate trips to Ohio netted myself a 3/4" drop kit, spindles and rear Tahoe springs, for my Avalanche for $150. Sure beats the $450 for the whole enchilada kit....

The "Atlanta" store sucks for clearance items. 

Now, if I could just afford what's on my wish list......

This is why I have avoided ever going. I have very poor self-control when it comes to car parts, especially if they are on sale.

I need to check out JEGS in Columbus in a few weeks when the Caddy is in surgery.  Was gonna use them for the right length pushrods after I get the motor assembled and measured.  I am worried about my wallet in there though.

Tools and brackets don't recognize the name on the valve cover.

Summit's good for lots more than putting the obligatory shiny reality-show parts onto old American muscle cars - I buy fittings, hoses, coolers, and all kinds of generic aftermarket stuff like exhaust components, washer pumps, lights, anything not made to fit a specific model, and even some things that are, for custom retrofits.

I had bought a few MR2-specific things online years ago for the white rallycross MR2 (lug nuts for the OEM wheels that were bought on CL and some harness bits).  They had my info in the system, wasn't even sure I had made an account.

They have some specialty tools worth a look see. I bought a seal puller that works like a dream. 

I own six imports and I have a hard time getting out of there for UNDER $80...

NOPI forever!

Wanted a better intercooler pump than the 2 yr old Johnson pump that up and died on my E55. Tried, and failed, to find the German pump as fitted to the McLaren SLS, with any kind of acceptable ship time. So I went to Summit and shopped around electric pumps such as the big block circle track cars use and bought a Dedenbear pump that is *just* the thing!

I don't think I've ever not bought something from the clearance section when I visited.  One time was a set of 15x8 4x100 steel wheels for the ChumpCar for $80.  Then I found a disc brake conversion kit for an odd ball 65' Oldsmobile full size for about 75% off, then I made it fit my 64'.

I drove 1.5 hrs to the GA store to pick up an autocross helmet, and was thankful for the ability to try on multiple ones before buying.  I wish that they would do the same thing with aftermarket seats - I was disappointed to find only 3 on the floor.  Anyone know of any brick and mortar stores (Southeast?) that allow you to sit in Sparco's, etc?

In reply to DocV :

DiscoveryParts shows a wall full of seats on their website.  I've been buying most of my race car specific stuff through them because free shipping and ChampCar discount, and the service has been fantastic.