Re: DSP 1.8 mk1/Failing Tech

["I.Mannix" <mannix@privatei.com>]

>If it is an SCCA event, your'e fine.  None of those guys know the
>difference between a JH and a RD.  Hell, I've been asked several times if
>my Rabbit is a 16v.  OK.  Safety. That's all they're looking for.  Make
>sure your battery is tight.  Make sure your rear wheel bearings are tight
>(#1 reason I fail VWs at tech - almost every new VW autocrosser has loose
>rear wheelbearings).


Just a thought - Tech inspections are to determine safety, right?  No one
wants to fail you.  If I find loose wheelbearings, I'll either "fail" the
car, or pass it and make sure the competitor tightens them.  I offer use of
my tools, offer to help if the competitor needs it.  No one wants to fail
you.  The tech people want you to run, and in my experience, will do
everything possible to get you going.  I've seen four or five cars fail
tech outright, three or four of which are owned by the same guy.  The other
car had a loose battery, he did not "get" how to fix it, got mad and left.
We tried to help, he just did not understand.  The other cars, well, the
guy is a moron.  He buys the crappiest cars on the face of the earth, shows
up, when we see him in line with a new car, just go straight for the
battery, it IS loose.  Always is.  In this case, it is a matter of
stupididty - the guy is a doofus.  He has failed SO many times, he should
know how to check the car on Friday night and try to take care of problem
areas.    At the Divisional, he failed in one car, went home, got another,
almost got failed in that one.  The first car had NO bushings in the rear
suspension, but the other tech guys did not feel that the rather loose rear
axle was a safety issue.  Had it been up to me, I would have failed it.  I
have no sympathy for that guy, he should know.  If your battery is tight
(so it can't jump up and weld itself to the hood and start a fire), the
brake pedal has a good feel (if it is a bit soft, pump it a few times with
the car off as you pull up to the tech inspector, it gets firm and stops
the questions), throttle return spring on the TB works, bearings tight, no
floormats, no hubcaps/lug covers, no loose crap in the car, tight steering
column, etc, you'll be fine.  Get to tech early, so if they find something,
you can go fix it.  I went to a NER event recently, there are a bunch of
nice VW types there, and they did tech at that event - they'll help you out
if you need it, I am sure.  Best of luck, don't stress about tech.  Chances
are no one will know if your car is legal, no one will care, either (except
other competitors, if you beat them).  What tires are you using?  They can
be BALD, but no cord showing.  Bald is OK.  Cord is not.  Hope this helps!


Mannix






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