What exactly should I expect at track inspection?Car gets jacked up?Helmet check?etc.

[H.G.P.]

What will happen at a typical inspection? Does an "inspector" or group go through and under the car? Anything else?

(I'm having a top Porsche mechanic look at my car in less than two weeks, should I have him check for anything special?)

Thank you.

[Jim Richards]

This resource page from the PCA Potomac web site should answer most of your questions, H.G.P. Have fun!
http://www.pcapotomac.org/pca/html/de/resources.shtml

[H.G.P.]

OK thanks Jim: Looking at the link now.

How strong are those Magnet sheets I see advertised? I would think they would fly off on the track.

And does anyone use an engine diaper on a Porsche ever?

[H.G.P.]

What exactly would define an "excessive oil/tanny "leak"? I see on the form.

[89911]

I've seen some clubs that have a "pit crew" dressed in uniforms that jump around your car like an F1 car. I've also seen others that consist of one guy with a torque wrench. If your cars been looked after by a good mechanic, you should be fine. They are really just trying to eliminate the guy with the hand tightened lug nuts and the missing oil cap.

[cowtown]

The big points of interest in the few DE inspections I've done have been wheel bearings, battery and spare tire holddowns, proper stud length if aftermarket wheels, brakes and tires OK. As above, some checks have been cursory and some complete. It's really on you when it comes to being safe.

[TimT]

most tech lines are just a drive through, the last check before you go on the track. You should have had the car properly teched by a shop prior to arriving at the track anyway ( and it appears you are doing that)

They will put a torque wrench on the wheel nuts.. look around the interior for potenial projectiles, check you helmet, brake fluid level, throttle return, brake lights.. etc..

The track tech is the last line of defense...

No matter which mechanic, you use, or how thorough the track tech people are...

YOU are responsible for your car...

[Jim Richards]

The magnetic vinyl is typically taped down at the leading edge just for that reason. Any little gap and whoosh, off it goes.

More than a few oil drops hitting the ground while the car is getting teched in the shop might lead to failing the tech inspection. In other words, no drip, drip, drip allowed.

I don't know what organization is hosting your DE...it might have different procedures / requirements. PCA Potomac is pretty strict and hopefully our track experience is better for it. Once again, have fun and tell us all about your experiences after you've finished.

[H.G.P.]

Originally posted by Jim Richards

More than a few oil drops hitting the ground while the car is getting teched in the shop might lead to failing the tech inspection. In other words, no drip, drip, drip allowed.

Well, it's "......drip........................................ .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ................................drip. Maybe borderline. Hope not because the car is running fantastic, and I have everything, except the CV boots, and brakes to be bled. I'll have a..... l o n g........ trip to the event which is open to novices. I hate to have a mechanic, even a skilled on it, but as Wayne says in another thread (the one of the dropped spark plug socket), the right tool is important.

I feel like I'd be insulting the mechanic if I stood there while they do the work, and having dropped the engine myself, I think I could stay out of the way. I'd like to actually work with him/them tools and all, but their insurance might not permit it. 13 days to the mechanic.

[ChrisBennet]

All the PCA regions I've run with require you to bring a 1 or 2 page checklist to a mechanic (approved by the club) for the real tech inspection. The region you are running with will usually have a tech form on their web site that you can print out to bring to your mechanic or they may have sent you one if you got an acceptance (to the event) letter.

I've worked tech lines for years and the most common "gotcha" is loose objects in the car. Clean out your car, really clean every thing out. A loose coin or pen shooting out from under the seat under braking is a distraction you don't need. I tell people to remove anything that would move around if someone picked up the car and shook it upside down.
-Chris

[Todd Simpson]

A loose coin or pen shooting out from under the seat under braking is a distraction you don't need.

Years ago on the straight at Lime Rock I handed 2 bottles of Mobil 1 to my instructor...he didn't get nearly as mad as I thought he would.