"It was quite a while ago at a high dollar race in Memphis where I clearly remember the promoter making the announcement on Day 1, “Tech inspection will begin at 9:00. Bring your tech card to the head of staging. I repeat, bring your tech card; not your car; to the head of staging.” No actual tech inspection."

Read the full Blog at - https://dragracingactiononline.../no-tech-inspection/

I recently started racing local brackets at G-ville after not doing so for about 7-8 years.

I was surprised that after filling out my tech card and driving the new, first time on any track racecar to "tech" that all I had to do was sign the waiver and I was on my way. No inspection whatsoever.

This at an NHRA owned track, my how things have changed.........

Always enjoy your blogs and typically triggers memories (seems to be very few “old souls” in racing anymore – IDK).

The license part; definitely needs policed, however from my experience last Labor day weekend….just because you have a license, doesn’t mean you should be behind the wheel. On the flip side I would still have more confidence in those who do, rather than those who don’t.

I have also received a verbal lashing from an accomplished racer for only wearing a single layer jacket while dialed 6.20s (someone else car and I didn’t expect to pick it up 4 tenths with a little tinkering and I didn’t have a 5 layer with me at the time). Then a few months later, watched an in car camera video of the same racer slipping his glove off before going down on the button. I had to laugh, but honestly didn’t care, they (myself included) are only endangering themselves.

The other perspective is “what” is in the other lane. It would seem that at the events where they do perform Tech inspections, they typically only look at fundamentals. How about the car with a chassis tag and bubble gum for welds? I have seen rear ends, crossmembers and the totally unexpected come completely out of cars, welds breaking in the middle of the beads etc….

And then the infamous “cheating subject”. I get and support post-race tear downs, but what if something is found? Do you run the entire event all over again or simply disqualify the winner?

A subject that certainly needs attention, but in what way, what method, does it become manageable and effective?

Funny thing about chassis certification is they don't even look at welds, only tubing thicknesses/materials.

Second thing about chassis cert is why does my chassis that hasn't been worked on need to be recertified a few years later? The walls of the tubing are still the same thicknesses.

Jerry at 80 I have seen most of it. Today most tracks, I say most, and promoters only care about your entry and doing nothing to cause you not to come back. I remember being allowed to race on Sat but not Sunday at Atco because my license ran out on Sat. And today tech at best means take it to "tech" and turn in your card if that.

Tech today kind of reminds me of airport security before 9/11 happened.
It was kind of a joke.Then 9/11 happened,and airport security is now taken a little more seriously.
No tech is fine until some big event happens that is later found to be the result of no tech.

There is no tech inspection at NHRA events either, you just fill out an online NHRA tech card based on the honor system. The only spot checks for me have been belts, helmet and chassis cert in the lanes

Believe me "No Tech" will bite NHRA and or the track that does not tech a race car in the Butt. If there is a catastrophic injury to a racer because of a mechanical failure to a race car that could have been found by teching said racecar. In court the judge will ask a simple question; "why was there tech inspection before and not now?"

I realize that all of us racers do our best to be compliant regarding keeping our racecars "legal" for the class being contested. We all try but sometimes things are overlooked. So another set of eyes would be prudent to make sure something was not overlooked. It's all about safety, so we can leave the race in one piece.

Working at the racecar shop for almost 9 years showed me there are many questionable cars at the race track. People do some very crazy stuff and think it is legal and/or acceptable when it is not even close to being safe.

Having tech look at the cars is the only way to insure against someones ****box coming apart and ruining a persons day in the other lane. Yeah, I know, just worry about my own stuff but I can't. I know better now. Some people have no business turning wrenches and should leave it for the professionals. I get not everyone can have afford to have a pro shop work on their car and would rather do it themselves, that is why we NEED tech.

Well said Tom.

quote:

Originally posted by Holytown:
Funny thing about chassis certification is they don't even look at welds, only tubing thicknesses/materials.

Second thing about chassis cert is why does my chassis that hasn't been worked on need to be recertified a few years later? The walls of the tubing are still the same thicknesses.

Let me enlighten you a little.

First I do look at welds, both for the first time I certify a car and the each time afterwards. So I would bring that issue to the inspector if you have found one who doesn't. You would not believe me on how many broken welds I have spotted. You also would not believe me if I told you none of them were in the SFI inspected area. (I am talking SFI 2.7 and slower.

Second, How do you know if an update to the SFI hasn't been approved or changed?

Just curious.

Dave

Little tires in the front big uns in the back….SEND IT…

After the final in Pomona they looked at the car cert, helmet, jacket , belts , gloves etc.

Barry they should check all those items before the race shouldn't they? Especially a car that is going 200 mph plus!

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Scarth:
Barry they should check all those items before the race shouldn't they? Especially a car that is going 200 mph plus!

I totally agree Larry but I don't make the rules.

Holytown, in the 3 years since your last certification have you changed any bars or modified the chassis in any way? That's why!

Barry, maybe it's time to get back to common sense and tech cars before the race! What a novel idea. I flew for 25 years and always did a through Pre-Check prior to taking off not after I land.

Profit margins are so thin on local bracket racing programs, I'm not sure there is budget for a qualified inspector to look at every car every week. Not saying that makes it OK, but it is what it is.

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Scarth:
Barry they should check all those items before the race shouldn't they? Especially a car that is going 200 mph plus!

I had to go to Turkey on business one year. When I landed in Chicago (Worst Airport in whole WORLD) they searched all of our luggage and us real close.

They said they were just standard check for anything Flammable, Explosive or Hazardous.

Now maybe it is just me but I think if you are looking for bombs etc I would look for them BEFORE you take off and not after you land. Just Saying.......