How much Tech is enough???

Jean Stafford · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2001 7:09 am Post subject: How much Tech is enough???

We just ended the racing season here, and while it ended on a pleasant note, I couldn't help but look back on the year's racing and ask the question.

So, I thought I'd ask you guys ans gals out there, what you think.

How frequently, based on 16 races/yr?
How "in-depth"?
How many classes, given 11-13 classes exist?
Who should tech? (i.e. known engine builders from local shops.)

Any other comments you'd like to add, please be brief for purposes here, or if your tendancy is, like mine, toward "long-windedness", E-mail me.

Thanks,

Neal Wood · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2001 10:22 pm Post subject: How much Tech is enough???

There should be the potential of tech at the end of any race. We adopted a draw system this year. There many tech items that could be drawn. Some of the items are easy, and some take more time. We like to have someone not directly associated with a shop, but anyone with integrity will do. Tech can be a hassle, but in the end it makes for a better quality racing.

Doug Welch · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2001 5:21 am Post subject: How much Tech is enough???

How much and how indepth is an age old debate. I have raced where there was no tech and it became a joke. Guys were spending big bucks on big bore kits, cams, you name it. I have seen it where they tear you down to the bare cases every week and that too drives off customers as it gets too expensive putting the motor back together every week.

I like to see them tech for fuel after every race. It can be easily done with a fuel sniffer and one person. As far as motor tech, they should look at something different every week. Maybe one time they look for bore and stroke. Maybe the next time they look at carb sizes. Whatever they tech, it shouldn't take more than 10 or 15 minutes of the racers time. You don't need to a big indepth every time, after all, you see these same folks many times over the course of the season and all you win is bragging rights.

The main goal of tech should not be to catch cheaters, rather it should be designed to keep everyone in compliance. They also shouldn't get too hung up on just doing motor tech. There are many body work issues, aero issues, seat angle, front fairing, that also can be addressed. Many times I have seen tech get so wraped up in trying to figure out how a guy is cheating by tearing his motor apart when really he is running illegal body work.

Mix up the tech so that no one knows what will be teched, keep it simple, try not to use a kart shop guy or engine builder. If a kart shop owner or engine building gives it some thought for more than just a few seconds they should realize that it is not to their advantage to do it any way.

Doug

Jean Stafford · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2001 6:36 am Post subject: How much Tech is enough???

quote:
Originally posted by Doug Welch:
Mix up the tech so that no one knows what will be teched, keep it simple, try not to use a kart shop guy or engine builder. If a kart shop owner or engine building gives it some thought for more than just a few seconds they should realize that it is not to their advantage to do it any way.

Doug

Thanks for the input Doug.

It's not my worry about th3e engine builders, or the Kart Shops in the area. All have expressed the disadvantage they'd suffer building "illegal" engines.

But, as an engine builder, I think it's improtant to assure the competitor a level playing field, at least as far as engines go.

During the past year, I saw fast times set at local tracks, and the engine was not checked for legality. Is this fair to ALL the Karters?

I think a local organization should make that insurance thru a comprehensive Tech Inspection program. Question is "How Comprehensive?"

[ October 25, 2001: Message edited by: Jean Stafford ]

Bob Chiras · Joined: 30 Jul 2001 Posts: 198

From my perspective the post race inspection process usually indicates the integrity for the place or association whithin which you compete.

Some of the best practices that I have seen are where the organization posts the post race inspection items before the races begin. They decide what will be reviewed and it often is listed by position of finish where each finishing position may have a different item reviewed.

The review may include the complete kart and as such one of the positions could have the body reviewed while another may only have fuel reviewed.

It keeps the inspecion process from becoming a witch hunt and it keeps you from cheating as the review changes at every event.