Solo Tech Inspection
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2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
From: Lansing, MI
Tech Inspection
So, I'm pretty new to the whole autocross thing, and I totally love it! But I have a question...so far before every event I've emptied out my glove box. Do I really need to do this to pass tech? Or can I leave stuff in there as long as everything else is out of the car?
Thanks everyone! See you out there!
Thanks everyone! See you out there!
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,405
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
I empty it on track days. Don't know about auto cross but I would think you would want it empty also. You don't want things moving around possibly flying out if the glove box accidentally opens or is opened because of an accident.
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: BG, Ky
I've tech'ed a few car for autocrosses and I can tell you it is a "safety" inspection only. I have never looked in someones glovebox, I will ask that you remove anything loose in the cabin, coolers, tools, toys, anything that will become a flying object while on course. If you are worried about weight, then feel free to remove the pound or so you have in there, and you can remove the spare tire too, if you want to (and have one 
). Unless your glove box pops open on its own I don't see a problem, I personally carry a fire extinguisher in the glove box of my RX7 when autocrossing and for track days, no one has ever made me remove it, no one has ever looked in there during tech either.
). Unless your glove box pops open on its own I don't see a problem, I personally carry a fire extinguisher in the glove box of my RX7 when autocrossing and for track days, no one has ever made me remove it, no one has ever looked in there during tech either.
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
From: Lansing, MI
I've tech'ed a few car for autocrosses and I can tell you it is a "safety" inspection only. I have never looked in someones glovebox, I will ask that you remove anything loose in the cabin, coolers, tools, toys, anything that will become a flying object while on course. If you are worried about weight, then feel free to remove the pound or so you have in there, and you can remove the spare tire too, if you want to (and have one ). Unless your glove box pops open on its own I don't see a problem, I personally carry a fire extinguisher in the glove box of my RX7 when autocrossing and for track days, no one has ever made me remove it, no one has ever looked in there during tech either.
). Unless your glove box pops open on its own I don't see a problem, I personally carry a fire extinguisher in the glove box of my RX7 when autocrossing and for track days, no one has ever made me remove it, no one has ever looked in there during tech either.
...Glad I don't have to do that every weekend 
.
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The Tech inspections are more of safety inspections just to make sure general things are ok. You should be ok to leave stuff in the glovebox, but technically you are adding weight??
They normally don't go too deep on the inspection just cause if they do and something they really look at breaks they don't want to be liable. By someone saying they checked it and said it was ok and look it broke, it's SCCA's fault.
They normally don't go too deep on the inspection just cause if they do and something they really look at breaks they don't want to be liable. By someone saying they checked it and said it was ok and look it broke, it's SCCA's fault.
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: Sedona, AZ.
First rule of tech inspection.
Have the car ready for inspection as if you were going out on course!!
The "hot spots" for inspection are the following;
remove floor mats
Battery secure
brake fluid level
no cords showing on tires
no loose body panels and trims
under the influence (yes I talk to you to see if there is any impairment)
correct helmet rating (if using your own)
no nitrous!
That's about it. If the car is trailered to an event I go alittle deeper by getting in and pushing the brake pedal, checking the seat mounting points, and restraints.
Have the car ready for inspection as if you were going out on course!!
The "hot spots" for inspection are the following;
remove floor mats
Battery secure
brake fluid level
no cords showing on tires
no loose body panels and trims
under the influence (yes I talk to you to see if there is any impairment)
correct helmet rating (if using your own)
no nitrous!
That's about it. If the car is trailered to an event I go alittle deeper by getting in and pushing the brake pedal, checking the seat mounting points, and restraints.
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
Add in to the list (at least in our region)
- Make sure there is not excessive play in the wheels
- Make sure that pedals - especially brakes appear to be functional and not overly loose.
- Make sure the car has functioning non-damaged seat belts or harness.
Papers and manuals in the glovebox are OK as long as the door shuts. Anything heavier/harder should probably be removed. As a competitor I can tell you are few things more unnerving than having an iPod or something slamming around inside the glovebox while you are trying to navigate a course.
From my standpoint when doing tech, I check all of those items and make sure that the car and driver appear safe to be in the event. Also, at regular regional events tech is also important to make sure you are in the correct open or pax class. As an entrant you should use your tech inspector to your advantage - make sure you get into the class where you will have the most opportunity to compete with like skilled drivers and cars.
Ultimately though, it is up to the entrant to know if their car is overall unsafe to drive and use proper judgement when preparing the car for the event.
One more note for Mini drivers to help things along, from past experience is make sure you have the bonnet and boot open for tech. Assume the individual doing tech has no idea your battery may be in the boot and that your hood release is on the passenger side.
- Make sure there is not excessive play in the wheels
- Make sure that pedals - especially brakes appear to be functional and not overly loose.
- Make sure the car has functioning non-damaged seat belts or harness.
Papers and manuals in the glovebox are OK as long as the door shuts. Anything heavier/harder should probably be removed. As a competitor I can tell you are few things more unnerving than having an iPod or something slamming around inside the glovebox while you are trying to navigate a course.
From my standpoint when doing tech, I check all of those items and make sure that the car and driver appear safe to be in the event. Also, at regular regional events tech is also important to make sure you are in the correct open or pax class. As an entrant you should use your tech inspector to your advantage - make sure you get into the class where you will have the most opportunity to compete with like skilled drivers and cars.
Ultimately though, it is up to the entrant to know if their car is overall unsafe to drive and use proper judgement when preparing the car for the event.
One more note for Mini drivers to help things along, from past experience is make sure you have the bonnet and boot open for tech. Assume the individual doing tech has no idea your battery may be in the boot and that your hood release is on the passenger side.
First rule of tech inspection.
Have the car ready for inspection as if you were going out on course!!
The "hot spots" for inspection are the following;
remove floor mats
Battery secure
brake fluid level
no cords showing on tires
no loose body panels and trims
under the influence (yes I talk to you to see if there is any impairment)
correct helmet rating (if using your own)
no nitrous!
That's about it. If the car is trailered to an event I go alittle deeper by getting in and pushing the brake pedal, checking the seat mounting points, and restraints.
Have the car ready for inspection as if you were going out on course!!
The "hot spots" for inspection are the following;
remove floor mats
Battery secure
brake fluid level
no cords showing on tires
no loose body panels and trims
under the influence (yes I talk to you to see if there is any impairment)
correct helmet rating (if using your own)
no nitrous!
That's about it. If the car is trailered to an event I go alittle deeper by getting in and pushing the brake pedal, checking the seat mounting points, and restraints.
Add in to the list (at least in our region)
- Make sure there is not excessive play in the wheels
- Make sure that pedals - especially brakes appear to be functional and not overly loose.
- Make sure the car has functioning non-damaged seat belts or harness.
Papers and manuals in the glovebox are OK as long as the door shuts. Anything heavier/harder should probably be removed. As a competitor I can tell you are few things more unnerving than having an iPod or something slamming around inside the glovebox while you are trying to navigate a course.
From my standpoint when doing tech, I check all of those items and make sure that the car and driver appear safe to be in the event. Also, at regular regional events tech is also important to make sure you are in the correct open or pax class. As an entrant you should use your tech inspector to your advantage - make sure you get into the class where you will have the most opportunity to compete with like skilled drivers and cars.
Ultimately though, it is up to the entrant to know if their car is overall unsafe to drive and use proper judgement when preparing the car for the event.
One more note for Mini drivers to help things along, from past experience is make sure you have the bonnet and boot open for tech. Assume the individual doing tech has no idea your battery may be in the boot and that your hood release is on the passenger side.
- Make sure there is not excessive play in the wheels
- Make sure that pedals - especially brakes appear to be functional and not overly loose.
- Make sure the car has functioning non-damaged seat belts or harness.
Papers and manuals in the glovebox are OK as long as the door shuts. Anything heavier/harder should probably be removed. As a competitor I can tell you are few things more unnerving than having an iPod or something slamming around inside the glovebox while you are trying to navigate a course.
From my standpoint when doing tech, I check all of those items and make sure that the car and driver appear safe to be in the event. Also, at regular regional events tech is also important to make sure you are in the correct open or pax class. As an entrant you should use your tech inspector to your advantage - make sure you get into the class where you will have the most opportunity to compete with like skilled drivers and cars.
Ultimately though, it is up to the entrant to know if their car is overall unsafe to drive and use proper judgement when preparing the car for the event.
One more note for Mini drivers to help things along, from past experience is make sure you have the bonnet and boot open for tech. Assume the individual doing tech has no idea your battery may be in the boot and that your hood release is on the passenger side.
Usually, they will ask you to pop the hood and the hatch, and leave your helmet on the seat. They'll do the rest.
I would clear out all the loose stuff, as it has a tendency of flying around and getting places you don't need it to be.
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