Project Racer - Part 2: Drag Racing 101

Technical Inspection

You've finally arrived at the track and you've signed in. Before completing registration, the workers will direct you to the tech station, where an inspector will examine your car to determine whether car is safe enough to race. There usually is a checklist, called a tech sheet, which they use to examine your vehicle. Unless you pass tech, you are not allowed to race. The checklist shown in this example is the one used for the National Auto Sport Association (NASA) events. Check with your venues website to see if they have a tech sheet available to download. If one is not available, most should at least have guidelines of what is necessary to pass tech. If a download is available, printing this sheet out ahead of time and doing your own pre-tech before arriving to the track could save you from being prohibited to run.

Sample Tech Inspection Sheet From the National Auto Sport Association

As mentioned before, make sure all loose items are removed from your car, this includes all dangling trinkets or parking passes that you may have hanging from your rear view mirror. Many people also prefer to remove their spare tire, and their jacks at the track - a simple and quick way to shed a good couple pounds. Most tracks require that you have a coolant overflow bottle. Cars made within the last 15 years usually have one as standard equipment but you should check to make sure yours is there and working. Also, most events require a helmet in order to participate. A rating of Snell 95 or newer is usually standard. Your helmet rating can be found on the lower back of the helmet, or on the inside rear under the lining. Again, check your venues website to make sure what helmet rating is required for the event you are planning to run.