cfjan

Hi all,

As I'm preparing for my first DE, I need to get the car inspected prior to the DE.. I know the list of shops / individuals are listed at the website of my local PCA chapter (CVR chapter) website. But who do you go to?

I have an appointment w/ a pretty big race shop here next week so I guess I'm okay for the first DE but just trying to figure out what to do going forward. Some shops I talked to say that they don't charge for tech inspection if I'm their customer. Some shops implies that there will be a charge. (For example, this shop that I'm going to, due to it is close to me physically, I was told that they would waive the tech inspection fee this time since it is my first DE, but want to do oil change and inspect the suspension and torque up all the bolts and that's like a few hundred dollars.. ! And the comment about 1st DE implies that going forward the tech inspection will be billed even if I do the service there..)

I think going forward that I can do the basic stuff myself (oil change, brake pads, bleed brake, etc.) and leave the big stuff to the experts, but for someone like me, what would be the right place to go for tech inspection? (seems like those big race shops would not be interested in someone like me who is trying to track in a smaller budget than their typical customers..)

What do you guys do??

Thanks for all the feedback.. !

TurboCup87

I've teched my own cars for years, but I also do much of the work on them. Suggest you go to a shop for your first one and watch and learn. It's not difficult. It's even fun. Kyle

cfjan

To learn and such is not the issue.. the issues is that the tech form needs to be signed off by the qualified person / shops (and I'm not on the list!!) At least according to the local chapter of PCA rules, I think.. ?!

AllanJ

I get my regular shop to do the annual tech inspection. I hand the owner a stack of forms (different regions I drive in have their own tech form) and he fills them all out.

Time is about 45 mins and I get billed for that amount of shop time. Pretty cheap to have a second set of qualified eyes looking over my car.

Cheers,

cfjan

Over here, we need to have a tech inspection for every DE event! It can only be done within 30 days of the event.. that's why I'm trying to find out what's the best way to do so.. or it will get $$$ pretty quickly!

Bob Rouleau

An inspection usually costs 35-50 dollars and if additional charges apply like new brake pads, fluid change etc. most will waive the fee. Do not take the inspection lightly. You car will work hard on the track and you want to know it is in good shape. I am sometimes astonished by the condition of some cars which have passed inspection - brake pads down to 2 mm, brake fluid low and black as coal ...;

cfjan

Bob, thanks for the info.. appreciate the feedback.. !

mike1111

I get mine done for free at local Porsche dealer

cfjan

Do you let the dealer do all your maintenance??

If not, that's very nice of your dealer to do that for you for free.. !

Porsche917K

A few hundred dollars to do the inspection, change oil, and make sure everything is tight. The materials for the oil change alone is around $100. As others have mentioned, it's never a bad idea to have a second set of eyes look over the car.

As far as shop selection, I recommend going to a shop that services cup cars and other GT3's regularly if possible. If you do many track days, you will eventually find yourself scrambling for last minute pads, rotors, or something. These type of shops generally stock this stuff and will get you out of a jamb. That is worth the extra few $$$ in my opinion.

cfjan

Thanks for the advice.. I guess there is no such a thing as trying to track the car with no tight budget...

Gofishracing

CVR lists on their web site their approved shops. I am confident that you can build a working relationship with one of these locations. As a regular customer they will probably just do your DE inspections. The big race shops were built on customers like you. I'm sure they will value your business.

roberga

I take it to who ever can get me in. Usually the dealer in January. We only need an annual tech form signed by a service tech, then we get an on sight at each event in the paddock. They check for brake lights, pads, safety gear.

cfjan

Yeah, don't mind building a relationship w/ a local race shop.. I just don't know if I'm too small of a fish for them, that's all.. i.e., I won't be able to go in and say "ah yeah, do whatever you want, just bill me when you are done".. instead, I will be telling them that I just did the oil change at this date, etc.

We will find out.. it is a learning process for me.. will be my first ever DE in April!

cgfen

Talk to your local DE participants and see who they use.
I use a local shop that gets very little of my biz only because i do nearly everything myself.
But
I do always bring lunch and after-work beverages for the crew in lieu of inspection fees.

have fun

Craig