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Vehicle Tech

Primary responsibility for mechanical condition of your vehicle belongs with YOU the owner.

We cannot emphasize how important it is for you to have your vehicle properly inspected. YOU are responsible for the mechanical condition of your vehicle, and as such, YOU are responsible for YOUR safety and the safety of the OTHERS out on the track with you. If you feel like you are not responsible for your vehicle safety or preventing injury to others by getting your vehicle inspected then this is not an event for you. We strongly insist you have your vehicle inspected at your Dealership or an ASE certified mechanic prior to ANY event. This is especially true when your vehicle is more than 3 years/36,000 miles and out of vehicle warranty.

Remember, you will be lapping at high speeds, sometimes in excess of 125 mph, so let's all be safe.

Vehicle Inspection

Have your ASE certified mechanic inspect the following items.

ASE Certified

Printable Inspection Form

Tires
No cracks or bends in the wheels
No cracks or cuts in the tires
Tire tread depth at least 50%
Lug nuts present and torqued

Suspension
Wheel bearings properly adjusted
No evidence of looseness in steering components
Lower trailing arm to radius arm tight
Tie rods secure
Ball joints in working order
Front and rear shock mounting bolts tight
Trailing arms secure
Inner and outer CV Joint bolts tight
Axle boots and oil seals in good condition

Brakes
Remaining % of front brake pads LF% RF%
Remaining % of Rear brake pads LR% RR%
Brake rotors within serviceable limit
Brake fluid reservoir full with clean brake fluid
Brake lines in working order

Engine &Amp; Drive Train
No apparent leaks of any fluids
Belts/pulleys properly adjusted and good condition
Throttle return spring(s) in working order
Hoses (fuel, water etc) properly clamped
Exhaust system securely attached
Battery(ies) securely fastened
No evidence of battery leaking or corrosion damage
Drive shaft in working order
Steering gear attachment in working order
No cracks/tears in engine/transmission mounts

Body &Amp; Cockpit
No glass cracks longer than 4 inches You must replace your windshield prior to attending any events.
Modifications to aerodynamics secure
Pedals operate correctly with positive return
Seat/frame mounts in good condition
Seat belts/harness in good working order
Latches secure doors/hood/trunk tightly
All brake lights working properly
Roll Bar/Roll Cage in good condition
After market convertible roll-bar correct height

Older Vehicles

Things to look for on an older vehicle and Alfa.

You should look under the hood at various and sundry things including the following:

  1. Look at the overall condition under the hood. If your engine compartment is dirty you will need to clean it prior to making an accurate inspection. Remember a clean engine compartment is a courtesy to your mechanic and lets you spot trouble before it becomes a hazard on the track.
  2. Radiator and oil breathers must have catch or "burp" cans to contain overflow. Stock Alfa radiator overflows are unless they have holes. The stock Alfa liquid/vapor separator is perfect as it dumps the oil back into the pan (that is the long hose running around the front of the engine and into the dip stick tube). Porsche oil lines run under the right rear fender and should be checked for oil leaks.
  3. At least two throttle return springs are required. One spring on each Weber counts as one spring, not two! Some modern cars will have electronic throttle control and thus NO Springs, be aware of this.
  4. Inspect all fuel hose attachment points and clamps. You can generally run a finger under the fitting and smell for gasoline to detect a leak.
  5. Check brake fluid for level, discoloration, and obvious leaks. Check brake pedal for feel. There should be a strong pressure on the pedal and the travel should be smooth.
  6. Inspect electrical wiring, specifically looking for worn or frayed wires and loose connections.
  7. Battery will be inspected no matter where located. Take a close look at the battery hold down to make sure the battery stays where it is. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO INSULATE THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE PROPERLY. If contained in a marine container you will still need to cover the terminal. Black electrical tape will be accepted. Owners will also be required to open the battery compartment for Safety Inspection, no matter how hard it is to find and open. This is specifically addressed to those non-Alfa people who have no idea where the battery is located.

You must inspect the exterior, interior and trunk areas for:

  1. Seat belts should not show evidence of wear nor of grease stains. Stains and discoloration may indicate imminent failure of the webbing material. If equipped with stock seat belts, all attachments must be in place and retractor mechanism will be tested for smooth operation. See Safety Page for Racing belt requirements.
  2. Make sure you have removed all loose items and sources of shrapnel from the interior and trunk. Jacks and spare tires may be removed even if bolted in place. They do not need the weight anyway.
  3. A Fire Extinguisher is recommended and, if so equipped, mounts must be of metal and have positive locking quick release mechanisms (no Velcro). Augmenting the quick release buckle with duct tape is acceptable if the tape is turned back on itself to form a pull tab. The extinguisher should be fully charged. On board fire systems not having a gauge should be removed and weighed prior to arrival at the track.
  4. You should shake the tires to check wheel bearings and turn the steering wheel to check for excessive play. It is a good idea to raise the suspension off the ground when checking this. If you are uncertain if your suspension is messed up, we suggest you have an alignment shop check your suspension.
  5. Hub caps and trim rings must be removed, unless held on by stock lug nuts.
  6. Examine your tires for adequate tread depth, exposing cords, weather cracking or other obvious defects. Tires and brakes are the owner's responsibility. Tire pressures are the owner's choice. For DOT 'H' rated or lesser tires, we suggest cold pressures of at least 32 psi in all tires.
  7. You should check the tightness of your wheel lugs. The owner should torque them to manufacturers specification, a minimum of 80 foot pounds is suggested.
  8. Brakes are your responsibility. Clean DOT 3 brake fluid should be the color of white wine. Dirty brake fluid will be very dark or blackish/brown in color. Dirty brake fluid has an affinity for water, and water turns to steam during hard braking and will cause a safety hazard. The owner should bring at least one full set of new brake pads plus a can or two of FRESH brake fluid.

You can check, but cannot catch every possible defect. So ultimately your vehicles worthiness will be up to YOU.