Crossing border with racecar/trailer

Andrew Hill · 05-08-2019, 08:16 PM

Does anybody have any advice for crossing the border from the US to Canada and back with a racecar and trailer? I'm looking at going to the D1 Open at Cayuga dragway next month, and I want to make sure I don't get any surprises trying to cross the border. Anything with fuel or other stuff that may be in our trailers?

I'm doing some research online right now, but I figured there's a lot of people who have done this often. Thanks in advance.

HR9121 · 05-08-2019, 08:52 PM

Sent you a pm.

3713kv · 05-08-2019, 08:56 PM

Maybe just declare everything you have as spares like converter transmission etc. Big parts. Fuel should not be a problem as long as labelled and proper paper work for car hope that helps and see you at cayuga ( Kirk Vanni )

richie 2 · 05-08-2019, 08:59 PM

everyone aboard needs a passport.

kevin marshall · 05-08-2019, 09:02 PM

If you have a title to your car with your name on it that helps getting back in to the U.S.A. Ours was a body in white built by f.j. smith, they wanted proof of ownership.Remember your truck license plate, they may ask for that. Have your passport ready. If they do search your trailer or truck they look through drawers and trunks and dont put anything back. also they dont care how expensive your paint job is as they walk down the side of your car. Good luck cayuga is a fun track.

ss3011 · 05-08-2019, 09:43 PM

Michigan has an Enhanced Drivers License , that is easier to get than a Passport , takes less time . Might be better to cross at Port Huron , seems to take a shorter time . Good to have the title of your car , but that is more for getting back into the US . Be friendly to the Border Officer , don't wear a hat , turn your radio off . I have never had a problem crossing the border , we had many races up at Grand Bend and Cayuga .

Kevin Love · 05-08-2019, 09:54 PM

Do not bring any guns

Bob Gullett · 05-09-2019, 12:07 AM

And when you talk to the border people don't wear sunglasses! They will ask you to remove them.

Cdncarnut · 05-09-2019, 06:05 AM

Have a passport.
Leave any handgun at home.
Take off your sunglasses, turn off the radio and put your vehicle in park.
Be clear about where you are going and what you are going to do.
Make sure that you tell then that race as a hobby and not a business.
Also, if they ask, be sure to tell them that there is no money to be won. You are racing for a trophy and bragging rights.
If you luck out and depending on where you cross, one of the Canadian Border Guards is a fellow racer.

RKelliher · 05-09-2019, 06:39 AM

Make sure that if you have animals that you have their paperwork.Shots,etc. also certain foods and vegetables can't come across border.

05-08-2019, 08:16 PM	#1
Andrew Hill Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 702 Likes: 448 Liked 174 Times in 39 Posts	Crossing border with racecar/trailer Does anybody have any advice for crossing the border from the US to Canada and back with a racecar and trailer? I'm looking at going to the D1 Open at Cayuga dragway next month, and I want to make sure I don't get any surprises trying to cross the border. Anything with fuel or other stuff that may be in our trailers? I'm doing some research online right now, but I figured there's a lot of people who have done this often. Thanks in advance. __________________ 3207 D/SA, C/ED

05-08-2019, 08:52 PM	#2
HR9121 Live Reporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Bern, NC Posts: 3,467 Likes: 146 Liked 3,363 Times in 731 Posts	Re: Crossing border with racecar/trailer Sent you a pm. __________________ James Williamson W200 J/SA. SS/JA

05-08-2019, 08:56 PM	#3
3713kv Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 54 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Crossing border with racecar/trailer Maybe just declare everything you have as spares like converter transmission etc. Big parts. Fuel should not be a problem as long as labelled and proper paper work for car hope that helps and see you at cayuga ( Kirk Vanni )

05-08-2019, 08:59 PM	#4
richie 2 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 971 Likes: 429 Liked 205 Times in 93 Posts	Re: Crossing border with racecar/trailer everyone aboard needs a passport.

05-08-2019, 09:02 PM	#5
kevin marshall Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 18 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Crossing border with racecar/trailer If you have a title to your car with your name on it that helps getting back in to the U.S.A. Ours was a body in white built by f.j. smith, they wanted proof of ownership.Remember your truck license plate, they may ask for that. Have your passport ready. If they do search your trailer or truck they look through drawers and trunks and dont put anything back. also they dont care how expensive your paint job is as they walk down the side of your car. Good luck cayuga is a fun track.

05-08-2019, 09:43 PM	#6
ss3011 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 909 Likes: 70 Liked 239 Times in 114 Posts	Re: Crossing border with racecar/trailer Michigan has an Enhanced Drivers License , that is easier to get than a Passport , takes less time . Might be better to cross at Port Huron , seems to take a shorter time . Good to have the title of your car , but that is more for getting back into the US . Be friendly to the Border Officer , don't wear a hat , turn your radio off . I have never had a problem crossing the border , we had many races up at Grand Bend and Cayuga .

05-08-2019, 09:54 PM	#7
Kevin Love Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: canada Posts: 113 Likes: 6 Liked 19 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Crossing border with racecar/trailer Do not bring any guns __________________ Kevin Love 5666 STK/SS

05-09-2019, 12:07 AM	#8
Bob Gullett VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,107 Likes: 57 Liked 510 Times in 117 Posts	Re: Crossing border with racecar/trailer And when you talk to the border people don't wear sunglasses! They will ask you to remove them. __________________ 68 Chevy11 327 F/S

05-09-2019, 06:05 AM	#9
Cdncarnut Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 213 Likes: 388 Liked 56 Times in 31 Posts	Re: Crossing border with racecar/trailer Have a passport. Leave any handgun at home. Take off your sunglasses, turn off the radio and put your vehicle in park. Be clear about where you are going and what you are going to do. Make sure that you tell then that race as a hobby and not a business. Also, if they ask, be sure to tell them that there is no money to be won. You are racing for a trophy and bragging rights. If you luck out and depending on where you cross, one of the Canadian Border Guards is a fellow racer. __________________ Thomas NHRA 1959 D/SA

05-09-2019, 06:39 AM	#10
RKelliher Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 165 Likes: 47 Liked 182 Times in 61 Posts	Re: Crossing border with racecar/trailer Make sure that if you have animals that you have their paperwork.Shots,etc. also certain foods and vegetables can't come across border.