So we started teching bikes about 2 Friday afternoon, knowing (KNOWING) that there'd be far less than there'd be cars. About 5PM I had Nancy take a photo lkooking down the line of bikes. There must have been about fifty of 'em in line! Gee-zul-man, my aching back. . . I worked 'til about 7 and there were still a few hangers-on that needed finishing.
Some requests from the guys/girls that inspect. PLEASE! If you are asked to make some modifications, whether simple -- better safety wire or a better hold down for your battery or whatever -- take your bike out of line and do the work elsewhere. Then come back with the finished bike so we can get you completed. Trust us -- we'll try to help you skip through in stead of having to wait in line again.
If your inspector asks you for a change - don't spend too much time arguing that you've been approved for the past XXX events without that having been required. It may be so -- whether it was missed or it's a new rule or whatever -- arguing with the inspector won't get you anywhere other than a cranky inspector. PLEASE accept the fact that we're there to get you on the track with a vehicle that meets our requirements, and even if it's something you don't aggree with -- the inspector can't allow you to proceed.
Worst of all is the racer that arrives with something that doesn't meet the requirements and cheats. The biggest example we saw this weekend is the fellow that had a helmet with a Snell M95 sticker. When told he wouldn't be allowed to use the helmet he found a newer one that had the correct cert. and we approved it with one of our stickers. Later on, in line at staging, he was seen wearing the first helmet -- with the sticker he had peeled off the "okay" one. Come on, guys and girls -- it's your head we're looking out for. The stickers we use aren't that difficult to move around from one helmet to another -- so we have to rely on you to not cheat. It's your head we're trying to protect. By the way -- if I had been at the line to see the "wrong" helmet I would simplyhave taken the helmet to Al and let him chat with the rider when the guy asked for the helmet back. That would have been a good bit of entertainment for Al, no doubt.
Inspectors are NOT trying to keep anyone from racing. Get that through your heads and everything will be a lots smoother.
Thanks -- end of rant.