The Human Side of Technical Inspections
by Scott G. Evans
The Premise of Post-Race Technical Inspection
The technical inspector must understand and prescribe to the idea that inspection is to confirm conformance to the rules in force, not a means of “catching cheaters”.
This attitude – or lack thereof - is easily seen by the competitors and if the inspector does not or
cannot prescribe to this premise, the tone of technical inspection will take on a decidedly antagonistic character.
Once this atmosphere of confirmation is established and accepted, tech inspection takes on a much easier, “laid back” tone, generally characterized by the competitors’ ready cooperation with requests from the inspector.
The development of this attitude requires constant care from the inspector, especially when faced with delivering a disqualification decision.
COMPETITORS NEED TO UNDERSTAND
The competitors need to understand that the technical inspector has a job to do, and he is bound by agreement to do that job – even the tough parts.
It is incumbent on the technical inspector to make the competitors feel “at ease” in tech. This can be accomplished by first making it perfectly clear what is expected of them while under the control of technical impound.
Competitor’s Responsibilities (Tech Etiquette)
Control your emotions. The moments after a race are often filled with emotions. Try your best to keep them on an even keel. Overt demonstrations of joy in victory can be as abrasive as confrontation with a competitor who you feel has “done you wrong” during the race. Save your celebrations for the podium or after post-tech is done. Confrontational discussions with your competitors should take place at a later time, not when your adrenaline is so high.
Keep your crew and friends at a distance while waiting in line for scales. The perception or suspicion that weights are being passed or may be passed lends a negative tone to the procedure.
Do not touch or make adjustments to your kart while waiting in line for scales or at any other time while under post-tech control, unless asked to by the inspector. Even innocent straightening of an element can be construed in a negative light.
Do not take water or other liquid while waiting in line for scales. Do not pour water over your head or on your body. If you are feeling weak, contact the inspector and let him know. (Inspectors, remember that this is kart racing. If a person appears ready to collapse, allow him to take some refreshment, or bring him to the front of the line. Twelve fluid ounces of water weighs approximately twelve ounces. Let’s not send someone to the hospital for the sake of less than a pound.)
Stay with your kart and keep the line moving. Be ready to remove your fuel cap for testing when asked by the inspector. Do not remove the cap before prompted. Replaces cap once testing is done. Remember that racing fuel tends to absorb water vapor from the air and may skew the test results.
Sign or initial the “scales” sheet. Many clubs will DQ a driver whose signature or initials don’t show up on the scales sheet.
DO NOT leave tech unless instructed to do so by an authorized club official! Many clubs will ask that the “top three” or “top five” finishers stay in impound. If you don’t know where you finished,
STAY IN TECH! The scoring results will be down soon enough and what else have you got to do? Once you are in impound, it is IMPERATIVE that you remove nothing or start any disassembly unless the tech inspector specifically instructs you to. If you have another race that day, ask the inspector if he will consider marking your engine for later inspection. Be ready, willing and able to perform any and all disassembly as requested. Remember that it is the inspector’s right to verify anything that has a rule written for it.
WHO WILL BE THE TECH INSPECTOR?
A club’s options can sometimes be limited to engine builders involved in the series.
- Most knowledgeable in the rules.
- Likely to have the tools and the skills necessary to inspect.
- Least desirable with respect to appearance of bias.
- Necessary to have an alternate to inspect the engines and karts that originates from the engine builder/inspector’s own shop. Regardless of the engine builder’s integrity, it is improper to have him inspect his own work.
- Arrange for several of the club’s engine builders to rotate the responsibility, always with two of them available so one’s own work can be inspected by someone else.
The best option is for a club to hire an outside, disinterested party.
- Least likely to bring any bias into the equation.
- Pre-existing measuring and rules interpretation skills are necessary.
- Most difficult to find an appropriate candidate. Possible sources: Local machine shops, Engineering or technical schools, Other types of racing series or clubs, or Divine intervention.
- Added expense to the club.
- Necessary for the club’s administrators to tutor and foster the relationship.
- The Conduct of Technical Inspection
For the inspector of a series or club, the key is to “keep ‘em guessing”. Consistent inspection of the same elements every race, week after week, causes the minds to wander. Mixing it up keeps some semblance of “fun” for the competitors. Highly competitive or large participation classes require tech every race, to keep it all honest. Sparsely populated classes or races amongst friends can survive tech waivers. It is important to regularly tech even low turnouts or friendly classes just for the peace of mind of the competitors. Without that peace of mind, the slightest doubt can turn a friendly class into an antagonistic one.
PERFORMING TECHNICAL INSPECTION
Decide what elements will be inspected for each class. Gather all the competitors in that class and inform them of your decision of what and who will be inspected. Release them as necessary to go back to the pits to gather tools, leaving the kart in the impound area. Competitor should leave one person behind in impound to stay with the kart.
Many competitors will race in multiple classes in a day. If they ask to be painted or sealed and return for tech after their other races, the inspector needs to evaluate the depth of inspection he/she is planning to perform and make a decision.�
If a full teardown or other complicated, invasive procedure is prescribed, the inspector is well-served to offer the option to paint and return. This fosters good feelings with the competitor and ensures later cooperation.
If a relatively non-invasive procedure is planned, ask for the competitor’s cooperation in completing tech and offer to get him/her released as soon as possible. This keeps the results release timely and prevents backlogs and tardy departure times for other competitors in the class.�
Be sure to make a notation to ensure that the later performance of tech is completed (name, number, class).
Separate the competitors in impound to the best of your ability and as space allows, guaranteeing confidentiality. It may be necessary to ask “crowders” and non-involved parties to step away from the performance of tech. Use tact and be polite.
Involve the competitor by explaining the process and the requirements. This will demystify the process and help with understanding.
Work methodically, ensuring that all elements of tech to be performed are completed as described.
Take notes or make a checklist to make sure. Make sure that you are completely familiar with the rule that you are checking. Refer to the rule book with regularity.
THE DECISION
1. Tech completed with no discrepancies.
Inform the competitor that all elements are conforming.
Thank the racer for his/her cooperation.
Congratulate him/her on his success.
Release him/her from impound.
2. Non-conformance discovered – the DQ decision.
Make sure that you are right. Check the rule book.
Inform the competitor that there is a problem.
Show him/her the rule that is in question in the rule book. Show him/her the discrepancy on his kart. Inform him/her, with tact, that he is being disqualified. Release him/her from impound.
3. Spirit and intent.
This “cover clause” in karting only comes into play in tech when something is discovered that is not directly addressed in the rule book. It does
NOT apply for any of the following reasons:
“I didn’t know!”
“This isn’t the way that the other guys do it!”
“What difference does .001 inch make?”
“My exhaust pipe broke during the race.”
”I didn’t intend for it to happen.”
”How can you DQ me for an act of God?”
The tech inspector must first and foremost determine if the discovery is something that provided a clear and positive competitive advantage. In depth analysis is required. Consult with other uninvolved experts and officials, if necessary, to reach a proper decision.
Take your time and consider carefully, but keep the consideration to the facts at hand and not the possible consequences should a DQ be handed down. Even a small advantage is still an advantage. The hard part is determining intent. Give the benefit of the doubt to the competitor. Carefully structured questions can reveal the genesis of the idea.
Personalities and Relationships
There are a great number of personalities that the tech inspector will encounter in impound. There are just as many ways to deal with each one.
“The Professional”
Very aware of the rule book’s requirements and is confident of his ability to pass.
Easiest to work with, easiest to accept decisions when right is demonstrated.
Most critical of questionable techniques.
“The Cooperator”
Goes out of his way to cooperate.
Tendency to be a little over-zealous. Hard to control.
Can become very difficult at DQ time. Feels personally attacked.
“The Rookie”
Least likely to understand the procedures and requirements.
Depends largely on his engine builder/kart shop for information.
Hardest to DQ, least likely to argue.
“The Finger-pointer”
Generally thinks that the only way he can be beaten is by someone else cheating.
Highly critical and verbal about other karts in impound.
Most likely to have something wrong with his own kart.
“The Whisperer”
Generally good-natured and honest.
Distant cousin to “The Finger-pointer”.
Some classes are full of them.
“The Little League Dad”
Convinced that his son or daughter is next in line for international fame and glory.
Most likely to be blatantly cheating, because everyone else “must be”.
Vociferous and confrontational at DQ time.
Conclusion
The competitors and the tech inspector himself must understand the role of the tech inspector. He is not a “witch-hunter”, a spy or a “cheater-finder”. He must be perceived as a “conformance verifier”, without ulterior motives and completely free of bias or impropriety. It is the responsibility of the inspector to consistently act in this manner.
A successful tech area is characterized by control, early prevention of confrontation, absolute conformity to the rule book with fair and equal judgment for all competitors.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Scott G Evans is the National Technical Director for: United States Rotax Max Challenge, CART Stars of Tomorrow. He is based out of Northern Illinois
