How to care for your motorsport awning during the off-season

As we move into mid-December and the motorsport calendar finally starts to quieten down, most teams are packing away equipment and taking stock after a long season. Your motorsport awning has likely seen plenty of action over the past months, from early starts and late finishes to unpredictable weather at circuits up and down the country. Now that race season has come to a close, it’s the perfect time to look after it properly and prepare it for storage.

Off-season care is all about making sure your GH Jumbo Windouts, Tech Tents, and GH Windout awnings come out next year in the same condition it went away. A little attention now helps prevent damage, avoids unnecessary repairs and ensures setup is smooth when the first event of the new season rolls around.

Give your awning a thorough end-of-season clean

Before storing your motorsport awning for winter, it’s important to give it a proper clean. Over the course of a season, awnings pick up brake dust, tyre debris, oil residue and general paddock grime. If left on the fabric during storage, these contaminants can cause staining or slowly degrade the material.

Cleaning the awning before storage removes surface dirt and helps protect the fabric while it’s not in use. It also means you won’t be dealing with stubborn marks or unpleasant smells when you unpack it next year. A clean awning is far easier to fold, handle and store correctly, making the whole process smoother from the start. Plus, you’ll get a fresh start come spring!

Make sure everything is completely dry before packing away

Moisture is one of the biggest risks during off-season storage. Packing away an awning that’s even slightly damp can lead to mould, mildew and fabric damage over the winter months. With colder temperatures and limited ventilation, trapped moisture quickly becomes a problem.

If your final event ended in wet conditions, make sure the awning is fully opened and allowed to dry thoroughly before it’s stored. This might take a bit of extra time, but it’s one of the most important steps in protecting your awning during the off-season. Dry fabric stays stronger, cleaner and ready for use when the season begins again.

Fold and pack your awning with care

Once clean and dry, take your time when folding or rolling your motorsport awning. These awnings are designed to be packed away in a specific way, and following the natural folds of the fabric helps prevent creasing and unnecessary stress on seams and stitching.

Avoid forcing tight folds or rushing the pack-down. Careful folding reduces wear in high-stress areas and helps maintain the awning’s shape over time. It also makes setting up at your first race of the new season quicker and far less frustrating.

Choose a dry, secure storage location

Where you store your awning over winter is just as important as how you pack it. A dry, cool and well-ventilated space such as a workshop, garage or enclosed trailer is ideal. This protects the fabric and frame from damp, condensation and temperature extremes.

Try to avoid storing awnings in areas that are prone to moisture or large temperature changes, as these conditions can weaken materials over time. A stable storage environment helps make sure everything stays in good condition throughout the off-season.

Use breathable storage bags or covers

It can be tempting to wrap an awning tightly in plastic for winter storage, but this often does more harm than good. Plastic traps moisture, increasing the risk of mould developing while the awning is packed away.

Using breathable storage bags or covers allows air to circulate while still protecting the awning from dust and damage. This is especially important during long periods of storage, helping keep the fabric fresh and ready for use when the season starts again.

Store frames, side panels and accessories separately

Motorsport awnings usually come with frames, side walls and additional accessories that should be stored carefully. Keeping these components separate from the fabric helps prevent rubbing, scratching or pressure damage over time.

Organised storage also saves time at the start of the new season. When everything is stored correctly and easy to find, setup at the first event is faster, smoother and far less stressful.

Looking after your motorsport awning during the off-season is a simple but important part of preparing for the year ahead. All of our motorsport awnings are designed and manufactured in Britain to withstand the demands of life at the circuit. With the right care over winter, they’ll be ready to provide reliable shelter, workspace and a professional presence as soon as the paddock comes back to life.

If you’d like advice on off-season care, storage or upgrading your motorsport awning ahead of next year, give us a call on 01204 544 900 or get a quote. With over 30 years of experience designing and manufacturing bespoke motorsport awnings, we know exactly what teams need to stay prepared year after year!

Our team is always happy to help you make sure your awning is stored safely, looked after properly, and ready to perform from the very first event of the new season.