Self-tech for HPDE?

[djm68]

Hello,

 

I am having a difficult time determining if self-tech is allowed for HPDE. I've run in NASA for a number of years up in the PacNW. NASA tech stations were abundant and, living close to Portland International Raceway, they were very easy to access. I am now in the NorCal region and tech stations are relatively scarce and far (traffic is a serious issue here). Curious if self-tech is acceptable.

 

I run in HPDE 3 with a 2012 Cayman R with some suspension mods, brake pads and tires, harness, otherwise stock.

 

Thanks,

DJM

[Lucid Moments]

I think that self tech is acceptable in all regions. I know it is in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and North East. Never run out West so I can't speak specifically for them.

[Calif_Kid]

I haven't driven with Nasa for a few years, but I believe that you might be able to self tech your car. I suggest you contact Scott Smith at [email protected] and Jerry Kunzman at [email protected]> to be sure (hopefully those e-mail addresses are still in use/correct).

 

Anyway, looking at the Nasa Norcal website https://nasanorcal.com/?/site/section_schedule/, there are some HPDE Tech Shops and Inspection form links listed. The link https://nasanorcal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/acceptance.pdf has an Option E on page 3, and it mentions form

https://nasa-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/document/document/277/form_hpde_tech.pdf, so to me, it looks like you might be able to self tech your car if it meets those requirements, but I suggest you e-mail Scott and Jerry to make sure. Good luck and have fun!! - Jim

[bbong718]

Hello,

 

I am having a difficult time determining if self-tech is allowed for HPDE. I've run in NASA for a number of years up in the PacNW. NASA tech stations were abundant and, living close to Portland International Raceway, they were very easy to access. I am now in the NorCal region and tech stations are relatively scarce and far (traffic is a serious issue here). Curious if self-tech is acceptable.

 

I run in HPDE 3 with a 2012 Cayman R with some suspension mods, brake pads and tires, harness, otherwise stock.

 

Thanks,

DJM

 

Hey, just decided to sign up even though I've been driving with NASA NE since 2010, but up to 2017 (last time I went), self inspection was/(probably still is) acceptable.

[stephenkirsh]

Man... I have gotten some seriously confusing info on self-teching from the NorCal region.

 

I've been told that you can't self-tech a car that's 10 years or older. My first time with NASA, I got a shop to tech my car; no problem. My second time, my instructor (I was in group 1) told me ahead of time that it was fine if my car wasn't moded, so I did a self-tech (my E46 was bone-stock at the time; it now has a few suspension mods, but that's it). In pre-grid, the guy grabbing tech forms nearly crapped himself and my instructor calmed him down by saying he inspected my car that day and it was fine.

 

Since then, I've always got my car teched at a shop. I've been going to a shop that is owned by a guy who is also a NASA driver, and he himself is a tech inspector FOR NASA. The second time I brought my car in, he asked me why I was doing this and I told him about my experience. He said "I'm an inspector FOR NASA and I've never heard of this. You should be able to inspect your own car."

 

So who knows... I really wish there was some clarity on this, especially from Scott, in some kind of bulletin or rules update or SOMETHING so that this issue doesn't keep popping up.

[427R]

In the Great Lakes Region, HPDE uses the HPDE /SCHOOL TECHNICAL INSPECTION FORM, which is completed by the driver of the car. This form is then presented to a NASA Tech Inspector at the event, usually early in the morning before meetings / sessions begin (times. location etc. listed in the Event Schedule). Once the NASA Tech Inspector inspects your car and signs off on the form, you are given a sticker that goes on the windshield, confirming your car has passed Tech for that weekend event. In addition, for TT drivers, we're allowed Annual Tech Inspections and those can be done by an authorized NASA Tech Shop or at the Event by the NASA Tech Team. If done by an authorized shop, the completed form, ANNUAL RACE CAR / TT CAR TECHNICAL INSPECTION FORM, is presented to the Chief Steward or his assigned associate, at the event, for verification and issuance of the Annual Tech Sticker.

That's how I've done it in the past 10 years.

[stephenkirsh]

Unfortunately, that's not at all how it's been done for the last 3-4 years in NorCal region. At least I've never done that, nor heard of anybody doing it.

[Lucid Moments]

In the Great Lakes Region, HPDE uses the HPDE /SCHOOL TECHNICAL INSPECTION FORM, which is completed by the driver of the car. This form is then presented to a NASA Tech Inspector at the event, usually early in the morning before meetings / sessions begin (times. location etc. listed in the Event Schedule). Once the NASA Tech Inspector inspects your car and signs off on the form, you are given a sticker that goes on the windshield, confirming your car has passed Tech for that weekend event. In addition, for TT drivers, we're allowed Annual Tech Inspections and those can be done by an authorized NASA Tech Shop or at the Event by the NASA Tech Team. If done by an authorized shop, the completed form, ANNUAL RACE CAR / TT CAR TECHNICAL INSPECTION FORM, is presented to the Chief Steward or his assigned associate, at the event, for verification and issuance of the Annual Tech Sticker.

That's how I've done it in the past 10 years.

 

That is the way it is in the SouthEast too.

 

The apparent fact that it isn't that way in NorCal is one of those things that bothers me quite a bit. What really is the point of having a national organization if I can't take my car that I run regularly in one region and not be able to do the same thing in another region?

[Clavette]

Done same way in Texas, Central, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

[Lucid Moments]

Done same way in Texas, Central, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic

 

So that makes me wonder if NorCal should really be a part of NASA

[wdritchey_dc2]

Central region breaks tech into two parts. There is a self-tech check list for you to fill out (honestly). But when you arrive, you will hand your form to the tech guys and they'll briefly look over everything before giving you your sticker. If you want to get tech done in advance, NASA central has a list of approved shops that for a small price will do a tech and sign off papers for you. Then you just hand those papers to the tech at the event and you're good to go.

[stephenkirsh]

I'm bumping this because I sent an email to the enw NorCal Director Justin Grey asking for clarification on the topic.  It's been 5 years of confusion and I'm hoping to figure it out.  

[427R]

I think soon, all regions will be on the same sheet of music as I see NASA HQ beginning to crack the whip a little harder regarding Rules & Regulations and operational procedures.

[stephenkirsh]

I got a response from Justin:

 

Quote

Whom ever told you its ok to self tech for street cars older than 10 years old was incorrect. This is pretty clearly defined in our HPDE/Race Acceptance Package that gets posted before EVERY event. Here is the package, with the self tech diagram located on page 2: https://nasanorcal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/acceptance.pdf

 

[427R]

I remember when I was going thru the ranks of HPDE and having to go to the grid every Sat. morning and submit my HPDE Tech Inspection Form for vehicle inspection.  The inspectors would verify numerous things on the car, safety primarily and once satisfied the car was in good order and safe, be issued my Event Sticker for the weekend.  I appreciated someone with more knowledge about road racing looking over my car and validating it was in proper order.

[stephenkirsh]

I've asked Justin to explain why there is an additional tech requirement for 10+ year old cars, considering I haven't come across any other organization that requires this.  I've received no response.

I have to admit... it's a huge PITA to find a shop willing to do this at no charge for a street car.  I've found a few shops that will do it, so long as you at least pay for of an oil change, but that's not something I want to do.  I'm lucky to currently know a shop owner who is also a NASA driver who is willing to do it for me at no charge, but if he moves/closes shop, I'll likely have to tech the day of, at the track for $40 and hope there's no problems they require me to fix... while at the track.