Autocross Tech Inspections, How does you club do them??? Options

[URY914]

Seems there has been alot of autox events that everyone is attending lately. I was wondering how the different regions and clubs conduct the tech inspections and what gets inspected.

My region makes everyone line up in two lines and several guys check tire pressures, torque the wheels to 85 psi, check the Snell label on your helmet and check that there is nothing loose to roll and around in the trunk(s). Then we have a driver's meeting and then we line up again to grid. I personally think this is a little silly and a big waste of time.

I would rather have the tech guys come to you and look over the cars where they are parked. I think checking the helmet and the overall condition of the car is all that needs to be done.

So my questions are:
How and when is the tech inspection done?
What gets checked?

I know there is no set rules for this but I want to start my club thinking about another procedure.

Thanks,
Paul

[Part Pricer]

It varies depending on the club. Here are my experiences.

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I run AX Tech Inspection for one of our local clubs. This club is not marque-specific, so we deal with all makes of cars.

After participants unload their cars and register, they come over to the tech area and form two parallel lines. When their cars reaches the front of the line they are told to "Open the engine compartment, trunks(s), leave the driver's door open, and leave the car running." Then, three or four inspectors go over the car. We check:

1. Wheel bearings
2. Nothing loose in the car or trunk(s)
3. Throttle return
4. Pedal response/return (not sticking)
5. Battery hold down
6. Visors (it's amazing the stuff people leave up there. CD collections, garage door openers, etc.)
7. Numbers. All cars must have their number and class prominently displayed on both sides of the car.
8. Noise. We have a "good neighbor" policy. Cars cannot be too loud.

If you pass, you get a sticker on your windshield.

You would be amazed at some of the things we find wrong with cars. Every event we have four of five cars that flunk inspection. Most of the time the problems can be fixed in the paddock. That's why I bring a full set of tools with me. However, it seems that we have one car each event that we do not allow to run.

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With the CVR-PCA, it is similar to the above but there are some differences. Again, cars line up in two rows. However, this time the drivers stay in the cars. The inspectors check:

1. Wheel bearings
2. Nothing loose in the car or trunk(s)
3. Throttle return
4. Battery hold down
5. Lug nut/bolt torque
6. Brake fluid level
7. Brakes. This is different from other clubs. After your car has passed the other inspections, the driver is told to drive forward a few feet then stand on the brakes. This is done while holding both hands up in the air to prove that you are not holding onto the steerg wheel. This is a quick check to make sure the brakes are in a reasonable working order.

If you pass, you get a sticker on your windshield.

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Another group that I compete with comes around to your spot in the paddock and performs a tech inspection. They check:

1. Wheel bearings
2. Nothing loose in the car or trunk(s)
3. Throttle return
4. Battery hold down

If you pass, you get a sticker on your windshield.