Story Time: Tech Inspection

[Loren]

I'd love to do it that way, Ben. But a lot of the covers are carpet or similar material that would be hard to reliably put an anti-tamper seal on.

[twistedwankel]

In the 22 years I have been autocrossing.

No one has ever found an issue with my car's compliance in tech.

And they won't EVER.

Have I never been protested at an event? NEVER.

Will I be? No. Why? Anyone who has an issue with the legality of my car is welcome to exchange keys and prove my car is "special". Not gonna happen on this planet. No one likes to be handed their ass in their own car.

The Mayor.

[Loren]

Tech has nothing to do with class legality, Doug.

Congrats on being one of the few who has never had an issue during a tech inspection. But, you've been doing this long enough to know that you are the exception and not the rule. We NEED to do a thorough safety inspection on every car.

[BrilloHeadBen]

I'd love to do it that way, Ben. But a lot of the covers are carpet or similar material that would be hard to reliably put an anti-tamper seal on.

Great point, tape is out. The idea is sound so I got to thinking what might work instead and came up with this http://www.seals.com/plastic-strap-seal ... 001-16.asp

It's the same sort of plastic tie used on our fire extinguishers, but adjustable in length and much longer. Might be thin enough to slip though mounting points for access panels.

[twistedwankel]

Tech has nothing to do with class legality, Doug.

Congrats on being one of the few who has never had an issue during a tech inspection. But, you've been doing this long enough to know that you are the exception and not the rule. We NEED to do a thorough safety inspection on every car.

I do a mental/physical checklist the day before every event both on the car and my "personal stuff" I'm bringing. This includes critical under hood fluids oil/water/brake/battery + air in tires + lugnuts + mats + remove plastic covers on one car. So the car will always pass tech AND hopefully not blow up or break anyhow. Which has happened any number of times.

You all ready gave us a written "check list". Now how to get people to print it out and use it? Thus making the life of the Tech people less demanding so they can get their course walks in while keeping us safe.

**Okay you'll appreciate this one: A guy came over to me at an event to borrow a tool after two runs because everyone knew I always carry a special kit with me for all manner of problems. He needed a special socket for his strut tower as he was convinced one was loose as his FWD car was making noise on course. Turns out his Front lugnuts were all loose as someone else was changing tires for him while he performed all the Tech inspections on the other cars that morning. Oops.

[Loren]

You all ready gave us a written "check list". Now how to get people to print it out and use it? Thus making the life of the Tech people less demanding so they can get their course walks in while keeping us safe.

Brilliant!

[92mx-5]

I think Tech needs to be done hard and fast.

The rules are the rules and cars have to pass tech before each event, regardless of any other factors.

I think we should have 3-4 set tech guys who attend regularly who always do tech. That way the guys doing tech know what to look for and will be quicker at doing the inspections.

They will also know the cars who are always done properly and don`t normally need a close inspection.


As for the issues of Taking out floor mats or cosmetic panels that hide batteries, in my opinion the rules need to be floor mats removed period that is too simple to do and wear on the carpet from one event is negligible. Batteries need to be inspected, lifting a back seat or removing a cover should not be stopping us from a proper inspection.

Drivers really should be with their cars for tech inspection if they have any special circumstances IE battery under seat or covers, to show the tech inspector.

The drivers at the event should sign in then go prep their car for tech and stay with it till they pass tech.

Arrive at event
sign in for event
prep car for event(remove loose items, put numbers on car, open hood and trunk for inspection)
stay with car till tech inspector signs off on your car.

I for one would do tech every event I attend, It doesn't bother me at all to go over the cars, and the schedules already have an hr set out for doing tech.

[Loren]

Well said, Andy.

[Carracer]

Maybe add a "battery must be visible for tech" rule just like the hood open rule?

[Jamie]

Arrive at event
sign in for event
prep car for event(remove loose items, put numbers on car, open hood and trunk for inspection)
stay with car till tech inspector signs off on your car.

Then tech better be ready and standing by when I torque the last lug nut. Understand that the hour (half-hour for split days) assigned to tech overlaps with registration and course walk time. We maintain a pretty tight schedule, and it's one of the reasons our events do as well as they do.

Rather than roving tech, simply reinstate the tech line. Define a window for the tech station, and every driver is responsible for bringing their car to tech. Not sure it would go faster, though, and it creates more traffic in the paddock. The simpler solution: when ready for tech, open everything and remove all covers. If you really can't walk away from your car in that condition, stay until tech arrives.

You all ready gave us a written "check list". Now how to get people to print it out and use it?

Append the checklist to the course map pdf. That at least gets it printed....

[92mx-5]

Arrive at event
sign in for event
prep car for event(remove loose items, put numbers on car, open hood and trunk for inspection)
stay with car till tech inspector signs off on your car.(if needed for proper inspection)

Then tech better be ready and standing by when I torque the last lug nut. Understand that the hour (half-hour for split days) assigned to tech overlaps with registration and course walk time. We maintain a pretty tight schedule, and it's one of the reasons our events do as well as they do.

Rather than roving tech, simply reinstate the tech line. Define a window for the tech station, and every driver is responsible for bringing their car to tech. Not sure it would go faster, though, and it creates more traffic in the paddock. The simpler solution: when ready for tech, open everything and remove all covers. If you really can't walk away from your car in that condition, stay until tech arrives.

I understand on both points, I think the tech guy should be able to be over there as everyone is doing what they need to prep their car. If someone is assigned to tech maybe they show up 15-20 min early to get signed in and ready to work?
As for the being with the car I missed a small part I meant to add in, the driver only needs to be with it if their car has a special issue, hidden battery or what ever.

I have always left my car wide open for tech to make it easy on them, hood and trunk open and doors unlocked so they can look around.

The great thing about fast is the events always feel very relaxed so no one feels rushed or pushed to get things done, but tech has been pretty lax as stated. Its something that needs to be taken seriously both by fast and by the drivers.. its done to keep everyone safe.

This past event had two cars catch fire both minor and one basically put it self out, there was also a car that had its fuel filler neck completely popped off the fuel tank. the fuel filler being popped off most people wouldn't know something was wrong by looking at it. I knew the car very well and when asked about something else I noticed it. Luckily nothing happened but it just reminds us of the importance of a good tech inspection.

[garage west]

You all ready gave us a written "check list". Now how to get people to print it out and use it?

Append the checklist to the course map pdf. That at least gets it printed....

I like this idea.

[Native]

So Loren and I have discussed this further, and the conclusion we've come to is that we need to inspect each car at each event. Especially batteries, as it seems lately to be an "issue." Yes, in all likelihood it's just a run of bad luck (including my own), but on the other hand tightening a battery hold-down shouldn't involve luck.

Andy said a mouthful a couple posts up, and much of what he said is how it'll need to be. Whether we have a dedicated tech crew or continue to rotate the job remains to be seen, but all should be aware that if in fact the inspections have been "lax," they won't be any more.

Batteries will need to be accessible. At every event. We realize that for some folks, that means 10 or 15 minutes of haggling with bolts buried in the trunk. If that's not something you want to bother with at the event, take care of it the night before or whatever. We don't require battery covers, so feel free to leave the whole thing at home. You can replace it at your leisure, too. But at the event, we'll need to be able to put our hands on the battery and make sure it doesn't budge.

As for checklists, we'll put something together. Or, look at the website, and/or search the forum. It's been discussed before.

[Loren]

Great discussion here, btw. Thanks to everyone who contributed!

[lddavis91]

Maybe add a "battery must be visible for tech" rule just like the hood open rule?

Some of us have to remove the body to get to make the battery visible.

[Loren]

Good thing someone had the forethought to attach the body with Dzus fasteners.

[cwgn4]

So it seems that there is a consensus that batteries must be inspected at each event, the presence of factory-installed covers notwithstanding.

I can live with that. I'll just get all of the fasteners finger tight the night before and remove the cover for inspection at tech.

But I'd caution others to not accept Steve's suggestion, 'We don't require battery covers, so feel free to leave the whole thing at home'. While driving to/from the event, you don't want an uncovered battery in close proximity to the other contents of your trunk. The consequences of a metallic tool coming into contact with a battery post are no less serious than what has happened recently on the autocross course as a result of a loose battery.

[Loren]

Good point, Carl.

And sorry to be so wishy-washy on that point. But, it's really hard to argue with Steve's logic. We've had at least 3 battery issues that we know of (who knows how many that didn't cause a car to stop on course that we DIDN'T know about?). To enact a policy to inspect that particular item LESS often seems entirely backwards.

I dropped the expended fire extinguisher off to be refilled today.

[twistedwankel]

I only get 2 or 3max seasons/years out of a properly held lead/acid battery no matter who sells it. I write the date installed in junk yard yellow paint on the top. One dropped plate and they are toast. The last one was 2 years and 2 days in the Grey8. (Joe's best laugh of the season when I sat in the Publix lot at TBD and got him on a cell phone.)

Imagine the extra impact slamming back and forth 1" in a battery box every single time you hit the gas or the brakes. How long will that Chinese battery last?

[lddavis91]

Good thing someone had the forethought to attach the body with Dzus fasteners.

That same person also had the forethought to install a battery charging port in that same body work, why? Because Dzus fasteners or no, its still a pain in the ass and constantly pulling it on and off will likely lead to undue wear.