Tech inspection sounds scarier than it is. It’s not a smog check, it’s not a dealership multi-point inspection, and nobody is looking for reasons to turn you away. The people running tech are volunteers who want you out on course having fun. They’re just making sure your car is safe for you and everyone else at the event. The whole thing usually takes about two minutes if you’re prepared.
Here’s how to make sure you are.
Empty the car out completely
This is the number one thing that sends people back to their parking spot. Every loose item in the car needs to come out before you get in line for tech. That means floor mats, water bottles, sunglasses, that reusable grocery bag in the back seat, the emergency kit in your trunk, all of it. If it’s not bolted down, it comes out. Loose items can slide under a brake pedal or distract you at exactly the wrong moment, so this one is taken seriously. Do it the night before and save yourself the scramble.
The official tech checklist
This is exactly what the inspector is going through when you pull up:
- Hubcaps must be removed.
- Wheel bearing play should be tight.
- Front suspension: all components should be tight, no excessive steering wheel play.
- Lug nuts must be tight and all must be present.
- Tires: minimum 1/16″ tread depth, no studded tires, no temp or spare tires, no cracks in sidewalls.
- Wheels: no cracks, all spokes present on wire wheels.
- Gas cap must be tight and not leaking.
- All engine connections tight, no excessive fluid leaks.
- Battery must be secure and tight. No bungee cords.
- Positive throttle return action.
- Solid brake pedal.
- Seats properly secured with belts. No harness in an open cockpit without a roll bar.
- Roll bar properly mounted if present.
- No loose items in the car: papers, hats, or anything that could move around and distract the driver.
- Tonneau cover removed, removable hardtop removed, convertible top down and secured.
Print that list out and run through it the night before. If you can check every box in your driveway, you’ll cruise through tech in the morning.
The helmet
You need an approved helmet to run. ACCO follows current SCCA helmet standards, so check that your helmet meets those specs if you own one. If you don’t have a helmet yet, don’t let that stop you from showing up. Loaner helmets are available at tech inspection. Just ask.
Your car number
When you register, you’ll pick a car number and class. Those need to be displayed on the car in large, legible characters before you go through tech. Shoe polish is the go-to method and there’s usually some available at the tech area. Put it on thick so it’s easy to read from a distance.
Tire pressure
Tech won’t fail you for tire pressure, but sort this out before you get in line. For street tires, bump your pressure up 5 to 8 psi above your normal street pressure. That stiffens the sidewall and gives you much crisper, more responsive handling on course. You can fine-tune from there as the day goes on, but that’s a solid starting point for both front-wheel and rear-wheel drive cars.
That’s it. You’re ready. Go have fun out there.