TECHNICAL INSPECTION EVENT DESCRIPTION - Formula SAE

Last updated 3.21.2021

Cars must pass a technical inspection process before being allowed to practice or take part in the dynamic events. Cars/teams will be given technical inspection stickers for each process they passed, as outlined below:

MECHANICAL SCRUTINEERING

CHIEF TECHNICAL INSPECTORS: Mark Muddiman, Jeff Lovell, Matt Johnson
VENUE: Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI, USA
ON-SITE LOCATIONS: Garage 2

Relevant Documents

  1. 2024 FSAE Rules
  2. Rules FAQs
  3. 2024 Structural Equivalency Spreadsheet(s)
  4. Quick Jack Competition Resource
  5. Approved Transponder List
  6. How to Mount RFID Tags

Overall Procedure:

Mechanical Scrutineering will be broken down into three (3) parts:

  • Safety Gear Checks: drivers’ apparel, “rain” tires.
  • Vehicle Checks: physical inspection of the vehicle.
  • Driver Checks: helmet clearance, head restraint, harness fitment, and egress.

Tech Order Numbers will be assigned by the event staff.

  1. Pre-printed pages will be included in the REGISTRATION package. Affix this sheet to the head restraint before arriving for Vehicle Checks .
  2. The FSAE app can be used to verify Tech Order Number assignments and to track progress of the line.

Schedule and Location:

Safety Gear Checks

  1. Wednesday 10am ~ 11:30am ; Thursday during Vehicle Checks; Friday and Saturday by appointment
  2. Line begins at the SW door of G2.
  3. Bring all drivers’ apparel and the tires designated as “rain” tires.
  4. New for 2024 - FIRE EXTINGUISHERS will be checked in Vehicle Checks

Vehicle Checks

  1. Wednesday 10am – 7pm (Line closing: no new vehicles after 6pm)
  2. Thursday 9am – 5pm; Friday – by appointment; Saturday - by appointment
  3. Line begins at the small Tech Marshal Tent (TMT, see map below) near the NE corner of G2.
  4. Tech Order Number sequence: arrange yourselves single file, or be directed by the Tech Marshal.
  5. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS checked here - both must stay with the vehicle.

Driver Checks

  1. Wednesday: only one (1) driver will be checked on Wednesday during Vehicle Checks.
  2. Thursday 9am – 5pm: any and all drivers may be checked. Inquire to the Tech Marshal Tent about the location of egress inspection, which may change during the day.
  3. Friday and Saturday: by appointment.

Procedures:

Safety Gear Checks

  1. Report to the southwest door of G2.
  2. First-come, first-served. (Tech Order Numbers are not used for this step.)
  3. Will run in parallel with Vehicle Checks.
  4. Be prepared to have separate team members assigned to Gear Checks and Vehicle Checks, so that both activities can occur simultaneously.
  5. With you, you must have:
    • FSAE Mechanical Technical Inspection Sheet (“Tech Form”)
      • PAGE 1 only
      • Fill in the team information in the top section.
    • All Driver’s Equipment listed on the Tech Form.
    • The tires you designate as “rain tires ,” and wheels if size is different than the “dry” wheels.
    • DO NOT BRING Fire Extinguishers – these must stay with the car and are checked during Vehicle Checks.
  6. Driver’s clothing that has minor damage may be repaired on-site with FR sewing kits available at Tech.
  7. Driver’s clothing that is unacceptable and unrepairable may be impounded – may be retrieved after the team finishes all dynamic events.
  8. Acceptable Helmets will receive an SCCA Rally/Solo sticker (or by other means at the scrutineer’s discretion.)
  9. Helmets that are not acceptable will not be impounded – no sticker will be issued.

Vehicle Checks

  1. Report to the Tech Marshal’s tent near the NE corner of G2.
  2. Tech Order Number will be used to sequence entry to the inspection bays.
    • Attach your Tech Order Number sheet to the vehicle at the head restraint.
    • Arrange yourselves, or be directed by the Tech Marshal.
    • Estimate 4 vehicles every 15 minutes – no need to wait in line if ~8-10 > than current.
    • FSAE app may have updates to the line progress.
  3. With you, you must have:
    • The vehicle.
    • Tires designated as “Dry” (V.4.3.1) installed on the vehicle.
    • FSAE Mechanical Technical Inspection Sheet (“Tech Form”)
      • Fill in the information in the top section of EACH page.
    • Driver Cockpit Checks form (half sheet)
      • Fill in all prospective drivers’ names
    • Push bar
    • Two (2) required Fire Extinguishers
    • Copies of your Structural Equivalency document submissions (digital copies or links).
    • Copies of any relevant Rules Inquiry responses (digital copies or links).
    • Impact Attenuator test specimen, if applicable.
    • Monocoque laminate test specimens, if applicable.
    • Minimal tools required to remove body panels, access the restrictor bore, and remove seats and inserts, if applicable.
    • One driver (tallest is assumed) prepared for Driver Checks.
    • ETC checks form signed-off by the ETC inspectors, if applicable.
  4. Harness fit, helmet clearance and egress will be checked for only one driver (tallest) on Wednesday.
  5. Time Limit:
    • All teams will be seen for at least 60 minutes during their first visit.
    • If multiple issues are found that require correction, we may ask that the inspection be interrupted and the team complete revisions in their paddock (IN.2.2.1.)
  6. Checks while in line – if time and volunteer staffing allow, certain non-invasive checks may be conducted while waiting in line.
  7. ETC checks will be conducted as arranged with the ETC approval team, if applicable.
  8. Default inspection sequence:
    • SES/Structural (tent)
    • Cockpit and Driver Templates (tent)
    • Everything else (G2)
      Deviation from this sequence only by direction of event staff (Tech Marshal).
  9. Only four (4) team members will be allowed in the tent and G2 inspection bays simultaneously. Excess team members and spectators will be required to watch from outside the tent or building.
  10. No work will be permitted. Only the minimal tools for access as required by the inspectors are allowed. Large toolboxes must remain outside.
  11. After completing checks in the tent, report to the SW door of G2 for assignment to an inspection bay.

Driver Checks

  1. Only one driver will be checked during Vehicle Checks on Wednesday.
  2. Additional drivers will be checked starting Thursday.
  3. Report to the Tech Marshal’s tent near the NE corner of G2.
  4. Any prospective driver must meet all requirements for harness and head restraint fit, helmet clearance, and egress time.
  5. Each driver must be registered on the FSAE app.
  6. With you, you must have:
    • The vehicle.
    • Push Bar and Fire Extinguisher.
    • Driver’s Safety Gear: helmet, arm restraints, gloves, long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and closed-toe shoes. (Driving suit, balaclavas, and race shoes are not required.)
    • Driver Cockpit Checks form (half sheet), if not collected with your signed-off Tech Form.
      • Fill in all prospective drivers’ names
    • State-issued driver’s license(s)
  7. The team’s tallest driver is required for the Tilt Test.
  8. One driver is sufficient to receive the mechanical sticker and complete Tilt, Noise and Brake tests.
  9. Other drivers can be checked starting on Thursday, during first Vehicle Checks or Re-Inspection.
  10. Wristbands, possibly RFID and/or paper, will be issued to successful candidates.
  11. Wristbands are required for the Practice area as well as dynamic events.

Re-inspection

  1. If there are issues found that must be rectified, the Tech Form will be returned to the team, and the team will not receive a tech sticker.
  2. The issues must be corrected, and the vehicle may be presented at Tech again for re-inspection.
  3. Report to the Tech Marshal tent near the NE corner of G2 for assignment to an inspection bay.
  4. If issues or failures occur during other events, event officials may confiscate the inspection sticker segment. Report to the Chief Inspector(s) at G2 for guidance on corrective action.

Successful Completion

  1. When all items on the Tech form have been accepted, the Tech form will be signed-off by your inspector and is retained by competition staff.
  2. A Mechanical Tech sticker (an image of a magnifying glass) will be issued. This is the first of four segments. Attach it to the Base Inspection sticker (provided in your registration packet) in the left-most box.
  3. Congratulations! You have achieved the first major accomplishment of the FSAE competition.
  4. Proceed to the Fuel Station to prepare for the Tilt Test.
  5. Only when you have all four inspection stickers will you be allowed to run in the practice area, chassis dynamometer (if available), or participate in the Dynamic Events.