Tech Inspection work

So, it looks like the chief tech inspector with my time trials / racing club is looking for a bit of help with doing tech inspections. It's a job I've always been interested in learning since I first started auto-x (and I've done most of those jobs). I love to volunteer to help out, so I offered to help out.

I haven't heard anything back yet (I just sent the e-mail yesterday) and I'd like to know what you should really be looking for to give a good inspection. Wheel bearings, throttle return springs, helmet quality, and emptiness of the car seem like no-brainers. What else would a good inspector look for? How do you tell somebody "no" when their car doesn't, or can't pass? Any pointers?

I want to get more involved in this sport. It feels good to volunteer, and it's always a lot of fun. I went out and tried flagging too--that was a hoot!

I'm going to go watch Airplane again.

From what I can tell, you are NOT checking proper classification or allowable modifications. That is for someone else. You are looking for safety, safety, and more safety. Safety seems to fall into three distinct categories.

One: will anything fall off? Is the battery tied down? Is everything bolted down securely? Are there any loose items to be found? Did they remember to bolt the seat back to the floor? Will that wing fly off?

Two: will it work at speed? Will the brakes slow the car? Will the steering wheel in fact turn the front wheels? Can you shift the gears? Can you see where you are going? Are the tires a match for the racing surface?

Three: is the owner a moron? Is there an unsecured bottle of nitrous? Are the belts from 1963? Does the dash feature metal spikes? Does the exhaust empty into the cockpit? Next to an oil-soaked rag?

When you have to tell them no, offer suggestion for how to fix the problem now. It's a good idea to know where the nearest auto parts store is. Battery hold downs top the list of failures. Also run into some sub boxes and amps that aren't fastened too well and a few Walmart helmets. Novices will be your greatest offenders, try to not come off as a know it all. I have worked with one of those before and they can drive a novice away for good. Explain the reason their battery needs to be tied down. Most of them will agree and be more than willing to correct the problem. Hope you have a small club, we teched almost 200 cars at our last autocross. It was a good thing there were 4 of us.

Thanks fellas. That's what I am looking for.

Get a container of the paper test strips to check water content of brake fluid. To much water no race. I wish more techs actualy did good jobs. It's not any easy job and its a thank less one. No matter how nice you are someone will be pissed at you if they can't race, but you just might keep them safe.

44

pinchvalve wrote: From what I can tell, you are NOT checking proper classification or allowable modifications. That is for someone else.

True, but it does give YOU the chance to really scrutinize that car in your class that has been kicking your butt..

One of the jobs I've been doing at our local auto-x is the bar-code scanner and number caller, with the additional task of making sure drivers have their helmets strapped on, are belted in and any passengers have to proper wrist bands. I once had to tell a guy that his wife was not allowed to ride with him since she didn't have a band. He wasn't too happy about it, but the rules are the rules.

I'm sure the tech chief will tell you what to do. In all likelihood, he'll give you a check-list to run down.

Interesting comment about brake fluid... never would have thought about that... I'll have to ask a buddy of mine who techs for the PA Hillclimb races if he does that. (also reminds me I need to flush the fluid in the TDI...)

44Dwarf wrote: Get a container of the paper test strips to check water content of brake fluid. To much water no race. 44

That's a good idea, but I've never seen anyone do that.

The local BMW traveling school does it. They run NHIS and Mount Trumblant (sp?) in Canada. I know one of the tech guys. Smart boy he is.

I e-mailed him he had two sugjestions.

You can buy the test strips from anyone who sells FASCAR stuff but they are very expensive for 50 strips and are a pain to use. Also, they only last a couple of years at most. If you really want a nicer way to check brake fluid, get this:

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/sto3s121.html

The way they work is that as the brake fluid absorbs water, the copper content changes. The test strips are very similar to litmus paper and change color based on copper content. The electronic measure the conductivity of the fluid based on the copper content. The electronic tester lasts as long as the AA battery and works immediately.

confuZion3 said: So, it looks like the chief tech inspector with my time trials / racing club is looking for a bit of help with doing tech inspections. It's a job I've always been interested in learning since I first started auto-x (and I've done most of those jobs).

Are you doing tech inspection for Time Trials or autoX? Checking the brake fluid sounds like overkill for autoX, but for time trials it sounds like a REALLY good idea. I know a guy who took his GTO off track at turn 11 at laguna seca, because he boiled !!! his brake fluid.

In reply to Capt Slow:

Checking the water content in the brake fluid is not on any check list for autocross that I have seen. I do check for pedal feel. If the pedal sinks close to the floor or feels spongy I do not approve the car. I have had more problems with trailered race cars than street driven autocross cars.