Speedtoys

You will get an annual from an inspector that has *** on the line for anything we MIGHT find later in a spot check...bad enough for which you lose track time for.

An annual is good to enter all events for that calendar year, but anything found/damage that requires CCR attention, will be noted in the logbook to leave you a note what to get fixed, and by when.

With an annual inspection, we dont need to see you except when your RD or the Rules for your class says you need to see us..generally class compliance/weight/etc after qual and a race.


As a followup, if we get wind of a slacker annual inspector..we know who his cars are, and we start calling them in for re-inspection. This is also done at Nationals at a higher level where we note Regions that need some reminding on the Annuals process.

IE: I dont care HOW big the bolt is, 120lbs of ballast one -1- bolt is not legal, nor safe.

justaguy

For what it's worth we have to have our cars teched before every race. The first time is the most rigorous when the log book is issued , but it's gone through by an inspector or two at every race. No big deal It just has to comply with the rules or you don't race. Plain and simple.

IcemanG17

I am all for safety and inspections...I just like to handle these things WELL in advance of the event.... I would much rather have the most stringent inspector go over my car way before the event (or season) just for the piece of mind.....I already stress enough....the last thing I need to do is stress more at an event.....

Speedtoys

We did for years, but we simply were not finding any issues that were not being found outside of good stewardship from the series directors.

Either way is just as good..

Weight top four (minimum) after each race, and a random other car..and I have two guys just "looking" as they push cars on the scale and wait for a go/no-go on weight.

When someone ends up working late Saturday night because something was weak..the rest of the class takes notice...and then logs of screwdrivers start turning.

Just dont have time to inspect 150-200 race cars on Saturday AM.


The single largest safety/design compliance problems, are the annual inspectors. One bad inspection the first time, and they will tend to just pass the car every year after that.

Speedtoys

You did have one of the more strict peeps go thru yours.


He's not CHIEF of tech because he would cross the line between go/no-go decisions based on "That's legal..but..I wouldn't do it that way" and it came off odd because he happens to be someone that can fix it for you. He's kept VERY close to have his opinion, its just handled differently coming from someone not available to profit from making it better (even if its barely legal and cheaply done).

After an annual, you are responisble for upkeep to the rules in place that year.

Tech is available to answer questions..and if you get bent up a little, we by default will inspect cage/belts/seats for stressors, and any issues found feed into a national discussion on the back-end for improvements and patterns that feed back to the manufacturers.

mark kibort

Ive been running NASA, (PRC), POC, PCA, SCCA, (club and pro) for many cars and for many years. as long as the main things are taken care of, and built to spec. again, the main thing is the cage, window net's (passenger side net for NASA now) and you have good belts, seat and fire system or ext., you will be fine. only the cars that are hacked together, or who try to use differerent tubing for their cages (and the cages are not built by someone that knows what they are doing).

Generally, you can get the first time at the track. i wouldnt stress so much over it. just pull up the rule book and see if you are ok.

IcemanG17

Exactly....... Everything he found is at the top of my "to do" list Is there a head tech person for GTS...or is it the series director?

BTW the car is going back to Evil Genius Racing on Saturday.... Time to fix some welds plus lots of other little projects...

Speedtoys

NASA CCR's set the requirements for Annual inspection.

Series's have SD's, but they only worry about class rule issues. Tech reports to SDs, who report to RDs..but the SD is not able to overrule. SD's are the ones responsible for delivering bad news from tech.


Tech observes, SD's do.


I will continue to suggest reading the CCRs. It explains the hierarchy for when you need it when you don't like a call someone like me might make later.

Take 30min..and read the CCRs this week.


Also..there is a perception that "RDs use your camera to bust you"..when in fact, most violations could be easily cleared by a camera being used.

A corner worker say you pull a bad pass, or the simple contact locations between two cars force me to made decisions based on what's in the CCRs governing such. A WIDE angle go pro that can see your fenders from above the windshield, and the rear quarters from the roof backwards..is a wise investment. Older model Gopro's are cheap.

DO not get something that requires special software to read the video..Gopro is a wise suggestion. We prefer resolving track issues quickly, not fumbling around for software and going to your put for a laptop/etc.

People that dont know the CCRs, are never able to effectively argue their position. Using the CCRs in your favor as opposed to feeling "under them" is a huge part of racecraft as well.

justaguy

What's a CCR? Thought that was a popular band in the 60's and 70's

Speedtoys

https://www.nasaproracing.com/rules

Club Codes & Regulations

Carl Fausett

I ran the NASA GTS series last season.

One thing I can say they do "right" is the tech inspections.

They have you take your car to an off-track authorised tech inspection station, and they inspect the whole car. The race is not about to start, and they do not have a line of cars backed up - they can take their time and do it right.

Then they issue an "annual" tech inspection sticker. Equipped with that, you can just show up on race day and have at it. No tech inspection at the track at all, UNLESS you finish in a podium position. THEN your car will be briefly impounded and tech inspected to be sure it was anot altered and all the safety equippment was in use. (Example: if they find the driver was not wearing his/her balaclava they can disqualify you).

So the incentive is there to not futz with your car after its inspected and to wear all your safety gear.

I have raced Midwest Council, SCCA, PCA, and now NASA and I can say they move more cars to and through the grid faster and better than anybody else.

A little disheartened at track-time-per-dollar. As to that, PCA provides the most seat-time for the least $$ IMO.

Anyway - hope that answers your Q about the NASA tech inspection process.

IcemanG17

well still no sub 2:00 for me....my current "best" is a 2:00.6 on the bypass...way off pace.....I need sub 1:55 minimum

justaguy

Brian that's a very good time nothing to be bummed about. May be time for some aero. It amazes that the BMW guys are pulling 1:55. Well prepped cars and some serious driving skill.

Speedtoys

5sec is a lot of time. Tons.

IcemanG17

at the last NASA event I talked to a guy with an E46 M3....he was mid 1:59's with NO aero......dropped it off and TC Designs....the NEXT event with full aero.....1:56.5.....................................just like that.... He mentions how incredibly stable the car feels in higher speed corners and the same to slightly better at low speeds......

Where did I leave that 3-4g to pay TC designs.....