Story Time: Tech Inspection

[Loren]

Coincidentally, the person who converted that car to a Solo Vee and autocrossed it for many years was the chief of tech for the Wichita Region SCCA... one of those people that I was talking about in the first post of this thread who was adamant about checking battery mounts.

[twistedwankel]

So know I know why some spec cars don't even bother with a battery for starting and use a big jumper for that purpose or a big drill.

No battery no pullie apartie + pushie to startie.

[Loren]

Okay, me, Steve and the rest of the FAST crew met last night and discussed tech procedures and a lot of other things. We finalized a few new things that should help us out in the long run.

First, tech procedures. We're not going to change how we've been doing things overall. We'll still do roving tech, and drivers are not required to stay with their cars unless they have concerns about passing. Tech inspection will be done in accordance with our new Safety Inspection Checklist. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that everything that needs to be inspected (that includes the battery) is accessible to be inspected. This new checklist, along with a plea for everyone to pre-check their car (even if they've been to a bunch of FAST events and been through tech before) will be emailed to all entrants for the next few events, as well as being included in the event info on MAE.

One new thing we'll be doing is using a new "Safety Inspection Failure" form. This will be a simple half-page sheet that the inspector will write down any issues with your car and place it under your windshield wiper. It will explain that you need to fix the issue and either find a tech inspector to recheck it, or proceed to the grid if you're in the first run group and get it rechecked there. This should make it easier for our tech inspectors, as they won't have to chase people down to get issues fixed.

Another big thing that I've been meaning to do for years, and finally did yesterday afternoon, is a Your First Autocross page. It is quite lengthy, but it covers damn near anything and everything that a first-timer might need to know, walking them through their entire day from pre-event preparation to post-event jubilation. For the 50-60% of first-timers who will actually take the time to read it, it should answer a lot of questions and help them be more confident and less clueless at their first event.

Lastly, we're going to start emailing all drivers who identify themselves as First Time autocrossers before each event. That email will include links to the Your First Autocross page, the Safety Inspection Checklist, the schedule and course map for their event, and some words of encouragement.

We've already got a great autocross club going here, and a kick-ass novice program... I think these additions will make it that much better!

[Native]

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.

Very true.

[Native]

We've already got a great autocross club going here, and a kick-ass novice program... I think these additions will make it that much better!

Also very true!

(aren't y'all glad you've got me to confirm all this stuff for you??)

[impalanut]

So if we are going to continue roving tech, how will we make sure they will get to the hard to examine cars without missing the time for course walk, etc. I have had many occasions where tech came around shortly before the start time since I was parked fairly far out on the runway. I would have to wait around quite some time until I was teched. I usually arrive close to the earliest that the gate opens since I need a fair amount of prep time.

[Loren]

If you need a lot of prep time, don't volunteer to do tech. (and if you get volunteered, refuse)

We try very hard to assign two people to tech for larger events. One of the reasons for that is to allow for course walking and car prep.

For a car that takes that long to prep and isn't ready in time for the tech inspectors, we can always do tech inspection on the grid for that car before that car runs.

It's not a perfect world, we do the best we can. There will always be exceptions to our procedures.

[impalanut]

It's not the time to get ready for tech, that's done at home, it's the time to put things back together after tech, plus waiting to get teched while the car is apart enough to be checked.

[Loren]

It's not the time to get ready for tech, that's done at home, it's the time to put things back together after tech, plus waiting to get teched while the car is apart enough to be checked.

Gotcha.

[cwgn4]

I did tech for today's BMW Club autocross. I paid particular attention to battery security, and was surprised at the number failures (one of which was in car whose driver should have known better). Based on today's experience, I'm fully on-board with the new tech process, including the inspection of batteries that are normally hidden from view.

[Loren]

I did tech for today's BMW Club autocross. I paid particular attention to battery security, and was surprised at the number failures (one of which was in car whose driver should have known better). Based on today's experience, I'm fully on-board with the new tech process, including the inspection of batteries that are normally hidden from view.

Thanks, Carl.

[Native]

I did tech for today's BMW Club autocross. I paid particular attention to battery security, and was surprised at the number failures (one of which was in car whose driver should have known better). Based on today's experience, I'm fully on-board with the new tech process, including the inspection of batteries that are normally hidden from view.

Yeah thanks! Great feedback.

[jesup16]

I have a checklist that I print out before every event (it's attached to this post). I do most of it the night or morning before. I'd encourage everyone to make something of the sorts.

Newbies, please feel free to steal mine.

I'm a bit OCD (if no one's ever noticed) and it helps me make sure I have everything I could possibly need. I think the only thing I'm missing is a fire extinguisher.

[Native]

What, no raincoat/umbrella?
Really - good list. I have a similar one myself.

[jesup16]

added...

[Jamie]

Ha -- mine is very short:

Camera
Hat
Trailer

Even if I didn't swap tires, I'd keep that trailer.

[Jeremy]

Mine:

1. Can of whoop ass
2. Ginger-Strength Sunscreen

[jesup16]

Just curious - what SPF is ginger-strength?

[Inspecta]

Cover alls. Lol

[AScoda]

Mine:

1. Can of whoop ass
2. Ginger-Strength Sunscreen

3. Call Charles with words of encouragement while he does all the car prep
4. Hat