Wots a 'tech session'?

[expat]

Please educate me on what a technical session is, who normally organises and runs them, what type of people turn up, how long do they run, what issues are covered....anything you can throw my way.

I'd really like to see our chapter become more involved in things you guys elsewhere seem to do - all we do is Sunday drives for an hour then have breakfast. Theres about three track weekends a year and thats about it. They have a full-time secretary and office so I figure there's gotta be something else we can do.

Thanks,
Mark

[Dantilla]

Our local PCA has six or eight tech sessions a year. Basically, we all have coffee and doughnuts at some kind of race shop and learn about suspension, bodywork, tires, whatever. Informal, but very educational. Our next one is going to look at the differences in 915 and G-50 trannys. One session will have dyno time.

They are usually on a Saturday mornings from 9:00 to noonish.

The best one so far this year was at J&L fabrication. They do high end fabrication from exhaust and roll cages (they did Randy Wells cage), to complete restorations. Bruce Levin was there with his 962 and a few other cars he has in different stages, and told lots of stories from his racing career. He is currently finishing a '69 Corvette for vintage racing at J&L. Lotsa great people, lotsa fun.

[APKhaos]

Hi Mark,
PCA requires a detailed tech inspection of any car participating in DE events. There is a 2 part tech inspection form - one part to be completed and signed by a recognized Porsche shop within two weeks of the event, the other part is done at the track in grid tech. Our tech form is here
All local shops do free tech inspections.

That said, Potomac [and other regions] schedule a tech inspection for each event. These are hosted by one of the local shops [usually independents], and run from 09:00 to 14:00. Aside from track inspections, we encourage non-track guys to bring their cars along for a full inspection, we usually assign a lift or two for maintenance work, etc. These are great days for the club members and great for the amount of knowledge and gratuitous advice that gets passed around.

It takes some organizing, not the least of which is having a team of members technically qualified and prepared to contribute their time to the process.

[emcon5]

The local PCA chapter does a couple tech sessions a year. This year there are 2, one covering a major service, the other paintless dent removal.

Essentially they get a local shop to host, and go over what they do, and take questions.

Tom

[avi8torny]

Originally posted by APKhaos

All local shops do free tech inspections.

Shops up here don't....You have to go to a club member who is a tech inspector to get a freebie.

[69 911s]

Tony,
Other than ads in DV for free Techs how does one determine which shops are recognized to perform this service?

[TimT]

I think you guys have confused some things......

Mark asked what a "tech session" is, well in my region a "tech session" is when one of the shops opens its doors and lets the club in, often there are refreshments, and a half day of question and answer.

Mark, in the Metro NY PCA region we have "tech sessions" that span the many topics, from of detailing your car, to valve adjustments..

We have had "charity dyno days" as tech sessions, with a local shop with dyno , strapping cars down and providing advice.... proceeds went to a local charity

some of the other guys mentioned tech inspections...... yes they are required prior to every ax or de...

[VincentVega]

I guess we are lucky in Potomac. Tech Sessions for us are usually part DE inspection, part bench racing and part demo or how to.

[APKhaos]

69,
All of the shops listed under Links on the Potomac web site provide techs, plus a few others. RPM is one notable exception, and there are probably more.

[expat]

Yeah tech sessions to me were the ones where you get information rather than have your car inspected for the purpose of racing.

So who in the club would actually organise the tech session. Do the shops get any reimbursement for opening their shops? Is it usually shops that deal exclusively with Porsche or have Porsche fanatical owners?

How is it promoted eg just amongst the club members via club newsletters or open to all comers and promted thru some form of advertising (other than word of mouth).

Any list of subjects covered would be helpful.

I'm trying to get togther a proposal for our club so as much info as possible would help to make my proposal 'bulletproof'

Thanks once again guys.

[fogcity]

Tom (Emcon5) - when are those tech sessions you mentioned? I searched the PCA sight and didn't see anything in the calander. Major servicing AND ESPECIALLY paintless dent removal is something I'm very interesred in learning about.

Thanks,
Dylan

[TimT]

Mark,

Sometime a shop owner will volunteer to open his doors for a tech session, Usually the benefit to the shop and the club are shared... perhaps the shop benefits more though.. (having a captive audience of 50 just walk into your business?)

In the last few years I can remember different tech sessions that have covered:

Turbocharging
Alignment
Paintless dent removal
Detailing
Race car restoration
Valve adjustment
Dyno days..

Other times a club officer may ask a shop owner if they are interested in hosting a club event..This a win win for both parties. The Tech sessions are advertised in the club newsletter.

I live near NYC there are loads pf pcars here and we have an active club.... so we have many events that cater to your particular passion... from DE's and AX to concours, and rallies..

[expat]

Thanks Tim great info