Author Topic: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!  (Read 14347 times)

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Offline NathanStewart

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Re: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!
« Reply #15 on: December 14, 2010, 12:14:15 AM »
Good thread . . .  very interesting . . .  Let me see if I understand this by setting up a fictitious example . . . .

Consider a K/ Diesel Streamliner.  Current record is Zero,  As I understand it, if you are running in an open record class you need to equip the car with safety equipment that is up to the standards required for the next higher class with a record.  "Open record classes: Tire requirements shall be determined by the speed in the next larger displacement class in which a record exists." The existing record for the next higher class is 116.537 for J/DS.   

Looking at the tire speed limits we see the S rated tires are limited to 115mph, and T rated tires are good up to 120mph.  So according to the rules you would need T rated tires (since 116.537 exceeds 115).

But . . . could you enter a K/DS with S rated tires if (after consultation with the tech inspectors) you are allowed to run with a 115mph speed limit?

Yup, you've got it.  Two years ago I inspected a high horsepower turbo Toyota Celica that could easily do over 200 but the car showed up with unrated drag radials on them.  Without any specs from the tire manufacturer, we limited them to under 200 mph.  Well I think the guys really took my imposed speed limit to heart because I caught up with them later and they showed me a timing slip of 199 and change over all three miles.  Driver said he drove by the GPS and made sure to not go over 200.  I got a good laugh out of that one but thanked them for doing as I asked. 

Another time I inspected a high horsepower Cummins diesel truck out of Texas.  They wanted to go 200 but had street tires so we limited them to under 200.  They set the record at 193 and had a best one way pass of 197.  Perfect.

You guys that are border line might as well pony up and pay the piper because that next speed break is right around the corner.

But back to my point, why make it a rule if it isn't really a rule at all?  Having a rule like that sure makes the SCTA seem very draconian to the normal outside observer but it really isn't that way at all.  Some might say having these superficial "barriers to entry" might keep the meek away and separate those who want from those who can and do but I personally like see new cars being built and more fresh blood in our sport.
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Offline NathanStewart

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Re: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!
« Reply #16 on: December 14, 2010, 12:24:30 AM »
Nathan,  thanks for your post. I understand what you are saying and appreciate your thoughts.

I look forward to being in your tech line and having you send me off on my Rookie Salt Run.

FYI-  at Maxton we use the same tech speed limit sticker process,,, it works great too.

Charles

Thanks Chuck!  I look forward to having you join us.
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Offline Steve Walters

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Re: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!
« Reply #17 on: December 14, 2010, 01:11:35 AM »
Charles;

I don't think that you would be considered as a rookie.  When I made my first runs I was announced as a rookie pass.  Another very famous celebraties wife was running for the first time at Bonneville that year, and they announced her as making a licencing pass.  I questioned why she wasn't announced as a rookie, and the answer was that she had run at El Mirage.  You need to get a feel for driving on the salt, but I would not call you a rookie.   :-)

Steve
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Offline Cajun Kid

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Re: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!
« Reply #18 on: December 14, 2010, 09:01:44 AM »
Thanks Steve,

I guess my "first few passes" on the Salt  would in fact be called "Licensing Runs"  (not Rookie runs)  but either way speed limits are imposed for a few passes (as they should be for safety and track familiarization).

Charles

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Offline Dakzila

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Re: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!
« Reply #19 on: December 14, 2010, 02:06:27 PM »
Good thread . . .  very interesting . . .  Let me see if I understand this by setting up a fictitious example . . . .

Consider a K/ Diesel Streamliner.  Current record is Zero,  As I understand it, if you are running in an open record class you need to equip the car with safety equipment that is up to the standards required for the next higher class with a record.  "Open record classes: Tire requirements shall be determined by the speed in the next larger displacement class in which a record exists." The existing record for the next higher class is 116.537 for J/DS.   

Looking at the tire speed limits we see the S rated tires are limited to 115mph, and T rated tires are good up to 120mph.  So according to the rules you would need T rated tires (since 116.537 exceeds 115).

But . . . could you enter a K/DS with S rated tires if (after consultation with the tech inspectors) you are allowed to run with a 115mph speed limit?

Yup, you've got it.  Two years ago I inspected a high horsepower turbo Toyota Celica that could easily do over 200 but the car showed up with unrated drag radials on them.  Without any specs from the tire manufacturer, we limited them to under 200 mph.  Well I think the guys really took my imposed speed limit to heart because I caught up with them later and they showed me a timing slip of 199 and change over all three miles.  Driver said he drove by the GPS and made sure to not go over 200.  I got a good laugh out of that one but thanked them for doing as I asked. 

Another time I inspected a high horsepower Cummins diesel truck out of Texas.  They wanted to go 200 but had street tires so we limited them to under 200.  They set the record at 193 and had a best one way pass of 197.  Perfect.

You guys that are border line might as well pony up and pay the piper because that next speed break is right around the corner.

But back to my point, why make it a rule if it isn't really a rule at all?  Having a rule like that sure makes the SCTA seem very draconian to the normal outside observer but it really isn't that way at all.  Some might say having these superficial "barriers to entry" might keep the meek away and separate those who want from those who can and do but I personally like see new cars being built and more fresh blood in our sport.

Nathan,

You're a voice of reason among those less gifted!  What a concept, using common sense and hard rules to govern a sanctioning body.

Buzz1513B
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Offline dw230

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Re: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!
« Reply #20 on: December 14, 2010, 05:58:30 PM »
Nathan,

If we don't inspect to the written rules the parts of the rule book you are referring to need to be changed.  I just checked, there are 51,808 words in the 2011 rule book. Not every word is looked at every year. I agree that the procedures used should match the written text.

I have not done inspections for several years so, if you guys are not following the rule book please submit the changes.

DW
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Offline NathanStewart

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Re: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!
« Reply #21 on: December 22, 2010, 04:19:19 PM »
I prefer to think of it as the rule book not following us.  :-D
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Offline Tman

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Re: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!
« Reply #22 on: December 22, 2010, 05:55:07 PM »
You guys just need to tell me when I am doing shit wrong and I WILL be asking a ton of questions!

Offline Nortonist 592

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Re: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!
« Reply #23 on: December 22, 2010, 08:13:20 PM »
You guys just need to tell me when I am doing Subaru wrong and I WILL be asking a ton of questions!

Well, A Subaru is wrong for openers.......................................... : - )

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Offline racergeo

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Re: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!
« Reply #24 on: December 22, 2010, 09:54:11 PM »
   Nathan, over 175 one shoot, over 300 two shoots. Over 400 drag your feet and pray.

Offline Tman

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Re: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!
« Reply #25 on: December 23, 2010, 02:07:41 PM »
You guys just need to tell me when I am doing Subaru wrong and I WILL be asking a ton of questions!

Well, A Subaru is wrong for openers.......................................... : - )



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Offline Avanti Kid

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Re: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!
« Reply #26 on: December 24, 2010, 12:09:37 PM »
I agree with DW, lets try and stay close to what the rule books indicates, it might be OK for once in a while to put a speed restriction on a race car, but let not over do it with too many cars.  This year I did the timing on the Special Course for the first 2 days of racing at Speed Week and I had 148 rookies to time, watch and verify their speeds back to the starters and check their turn outs and sometimes how they deployed their chutes. So yes the tower can watch as requested by the starters to monitor a speed (time) for rare occasions, but it should be used as a minimum!! I feel its safer to have the required equipment (chute/fire bottles, etc) for that vehicles record status. Having a required chute on a race car at any speeds over 160mph at El Mirage is very important to prevent the race car from going out the "backdoor" and hitting a person (spectator) or child on a motorcycle!! One hit like that and we are done at EL Mirage!! Bonneville doesn't really have this situation, but lets stay with the rules in the Rule Book,  Dave
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Offline doug odom

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Re: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!
« Reply #27 on: December 24, 2010, 01:45:14 PM »
I think that any car that does not meet the standard for the class should be entered TO. with a max speed. Then when the starter tells the timer everyone will know how fast the car is legal to go.
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Offline Stan Back

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Re: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!
« Reply #28 on: December 24, 2010, 01:51:20 PM »
Yah-but . . .

As Avanti has stated, that's a burden on the officials.  In the past, TO has kinda been reserved for vehicles that didn't fit any classification, not ones that didn't meet the safety requirements.  SW has more than enuf entries already.  Don't need the revenue, don't need a greater hassle.  The World of Speed has categories already set up for the others.

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Offline Leadfoot

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Re: Tech Question... from a Tech Inspector no less!
« Reply #29 on: December 24, 2010, 02:44:29 PM »
I agree with Stan, lets keep time only to a minimum. Lets keep inspecting per the rule book. Merry Christmas.