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Over the past few years, I've done only 3 autocrosses in two different cars, an 03 WRX and an 04 GTO.  I always had the tech inspection done before the autocross, at the autocross event tech inspection time, on the day of the event. I plan on my first event being a HPDE at Road Atlanta on July 17th and 18th.  It is a long time from now, but my little Hyundai commuter car will be paid off in May.  That will give me time to find a car, get a helmet, order some fairly sticky summer tires, and whatever else I'll need to do.

 

 What I'd like to know is this.  Am I required to have a tech inspection before the event, or is the tech inspection process just like an autocross tech inspection?

Probably depends on who you will be running with, but my experience has been getting teched on site. Each time it has been very similar to an autocross inspection.

This info should be in the registration material for the PDX event - usually in the Supps. 

 Track-day type inspections are usually a bit more involved since you should really be checking things like brakes very carefully, not just for function, but for amount of pad material left. 

 Again, no clue what organization you're running with or what they require, but as an example, the tech for for the DC Region SCCA PDX events is available at http://wdcr-scca.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=c4Y8otpHT9A%3d&tabid=1402&mid=2470

 There really isn't time at most events to do an involved, comprehensive check of every car at the event. It really needs to be done prior getting to the track. Keep in mind that this is really for *your* safety, and it's in your best interest to be as thorough as possible. It's not about "passing" tech, it's about bring a car that's safe and properly prepared so that you can spend the day having fun and learning to drive, not working on it in the paddock. 

 

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1996 Corvette LT4
36 AS WDC Region

Agree, it depends on the organization.  But tech will be at the event in almost all cases.  Some groups have gone to self tech where you essentially sign a form that says you teched your own car.  Even at events that require tech you'll get a varying level of inspection just based on time constraints.

Picture this: 100 cars to tech between 7am and 8am.  How's that going to work?

Sometimes there is tech available the night before.  It's a good idea to take advantage of this if you can since it reduces the panic factor on event morning.  It's not easy to get teched and attend the drivers meeting at the same time.  There is a ton of stuff to do and not enough time to do it.

Generally the mornings are a complete cluster but it does settle out.  If you do get caught in the tech crush in the morning, don't stress too much.  Unless the event has a ton of cars, then chances are you'll get all the track time you can handle anyway.   There is no hurry to get out there.  Did I mention mornings are usually a cluster?  Don't get too excited, relax and wait for it.

With that said, you don't want to be the last person in line for anything.  Not registration, not tech, not the grid line.  Pay attention, stay ahead of the crowd, but don't get excited if there are delays, there will be delays and you don't want to be the guy whining about it.