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Last updated: January 15, 2010 The following regulations have been approved for Porsche Club of America, Northeast Region Driver Education Events.
Participants are responsible for the safety of their cars and should know the condition of all items listed below. Technical Inspectors will not be held liable for safety of the car. In order to participate in a Northeast Region Driver Education Event, participants must agree to the following statement on the technical inspection form:
"I certify that I understand that the safety, mechanical soundness, and general suitability of my vehicle and/or someone else's vehicle which I may drive in this Driver Education Event (including multiple day events) is my responsibility, not that of the Porsche Club of America, the Technical Inspectors, or the event organizers."
The NER-PCA policy of a required pre-event inspection applies to ALL participating vehicles, regardless of vehicle manufacture. For clarification, the following describes the NER-PCA pre-event inspection policy and expectations.
Porsches - Must be inspected by an authorized Porsche technical-inspection station.
- Authorized stations are listed on the web sites of the various PCA regions. Non-NER region members may utilize local region-authorized inspectors; however, the NER Tech Form must be used. Under extreme circumstances, such as when participants live beyond a reasonable distance from an authorized inspection station, pre-event inspection by a Porsche-knowledgeable shop or dealer will be accepted, provided the NER Tech Form is used.
- PCA-authorized inspection stations will sign the form, and apply their official stamp, indicating that the vehicle has passed the pre-event inspection.
- Non-PCA-authorized inspectors will sign the form indicating that the vehicle has passed all points of the inspection.
Non-Porsches- Should be inspected by a shop or dealer familiar with the brand. Example: A BMW should be inspected by a BMW shop or dealer. A Ford should be inspected by a Ford shop or dealer.
- Non-PCA-authorized inspectors will sign the form indicating that the vehicle has passed all points of the inspection. The NER Tech Form must be used.
Inspection FormsThe intent is to ensure that a consistent set of safety-inspection criteria are applied, irrespective of vehicle brand. Non-applicable inspection items, if any, may be so noted by the inspector. The pre-event inspection form to be used must be the NER Tech Form. NER reserves the right to refuse acceptance of pre-event inspections which do not comply with this policy. The driver of the car must also sign the Tech Form.
A list of approved PCA-NER Technical Inspectors may be obtained from this website or from the tech inspector. Use the tabs below to access the technical requirements for each portion of the car.
Glass
All windows must be free or cracks or fractures. Small divots or stone chips are acceptable, as long as there are no "spider" or radial cracks.
Wipers
Functional, with good blades.
Mirrors
At least one securely fastened rearview mirror.
Brake Lights
Operational.
Gas Cap
Proper cap, seals tightly.
Assigned Numbers
Assigned numbers must be displayed on both sides and the front of the vehicle. To ensure legibility by course-workers, numbers should be no smaller than 5" in height and in a color that contrasts with the background color so that it is visible from a distance. Numbers must be those assigned by event registration and must be applied before entering the event tech inspection line.
Tires
All tires must be of the same type (all standard, performance, or rain tire). Front tires must be of the same size, rear tires must be of the same size. It is recommended that they be of the same manufacturer. Mixing of soft compound performance tires and street or rain tires is not allowed. No cracks, mininmum 3/32 tread or appropriate wear bar/hole indications. No rubbing. Wheels
Any wheel, except after market cast-imitation Fuchs alloys. Carefully check older wheels for cracks at lug holes. Under no circumstances may a repaired alloy wheel be used. Proper valve stems with brace, solid metal stems preferred. No after market wheel adapters or brake dust shields are allowed. Steel Lug NutsSteel lug nuts are recommended for those who change wheels. These are less likely to fatigue, stretch, and break during wheel changes. Wheel BearingsAll must be correctly adjusted. If non-adjustable type then zero free play. BrakesNo cuts or abrasions on lines, no cracks in drilled or slotted rotors. Only cars originally equipped with drilled or slotted rotors, or OEM purpose built drilled or slotted rotors are allowed. No after market modified rotors. Drilled rotors in particular are prone to cracking from heat stress. Cracks going from "hole to hole" or "hole to edge" or "hole to hub bolt" are cause for failing the car. Solid manufactured rotors cannot be drilled or slotted without compromising their safety. Check 914 rear pad adjustment. Minimum 50% pad thickness for one-day event. Front SuspensionAny safe suspension modification is allowed. No excessive looseness in steering or suspension. No leaks. All bolts tight. Ball joints in good condition. 356 steering box — tight cover and lid. 900 series — tight steering rack. 944/968 — control arm ball joint tight. LeaksNo fluid leaks. RustNo structural or excessive rust. Rear SuspensionAny safe suspension modification is allowed. No excessive looseness, all bolts tight. Half shaft boots in good condition, shock bolts tight. ExhaustSome events may enforce noise limits. Check specific region/track requirements for each event. Battery
All batteries must be securely mounted. "Bungee" cords are not allowed, factory mounting is required. Batteries replaced with smaller units must use proper metal clamps. Twin battery 911 models must use factory or suitable replacement straps. No acid leaks or corrosion. Check fuel lines under 914 battery. BeltsAll engine belts must be in good condition and properly adjusted. Throttle ReturnFreely operating, with good spring(s). Check both springs on CIS cars. Brake FluidDOT 3 or 4 high performance brake fluid is recommended. The brake system must have been completely flushed/changed in the last 12 months, and the date last changed must be indicated on the Tech Form. Brakes must be bled between events, with the Date Last Bled indicated on the Tech Form. Tech Forms with missing or invalid dates will result in inspection failure. PedalsFirm brake pedal. All pedals have free return and are in good condition. Roll BarAll Cabriolets and open cars must have a roll bar or cage installed. Targa, 914, Boxster, and 996/997 Cab are all permitted, as is, at NER events. All tops must be up/on or car must have five- or six-point harnesses, proper race seats (see " Harnesses"), arm restraints, and driver must pass "broomstick" rule. Fire ExtinguisherNER recommends (but does not require) a 2.5-lb. charge (minimum) class BC or ABC fire extinguisher at Driver Education events. Extinguishers with metal nozzles preferred. They must be held by a metal bracket (no plastic straps or brackets, no sheet metal or self tapping screws allowed); must be secured by at least two bolts and nuts to a metal mounting point (chassis, seat rail, roll cage, etc.); and must be reachable from the driver's seat. N.B. Many other regions do require a properly installed fire extinguisher so be sure to check the host region's requirements. Some regions allow a one-time exemption from the fire extinguisher requirement for students participating in their first DE event. The student must advise the pre-event tech inspector of his/her first-timer status. Any questions should be directed to the host region's Scrutineer. Seat BeltsStandard Original Equipment three point belts used with any type seat, includng "racing" or "sport seats", are acceptable. Two-point lap-only belts are not acceptable with any seat. Webbing must not be frayed, show signs of impact (i.e. caught in a door) or signs of being stretched or of significant discoloration. '65-'68 900 series cars require relocation of the lap belt mounting points rearward. HarnessesAll five- and six- point harnesses must be used with "racing seats" equipped by the manufacturer with belt routing holes for the shoulder, lap and submarine straps. No add-on or "homemade" modifications of any type to these seats will be accepted. Sport seats without lap belt holes, but with correct manufacturers built in sub-belt and shoulder belt holes will be accepted providing the seat design allows the lap belts to be low and tight around the hips. Harnesses should be anchored to factory-mounting points or roll cage structure, wherever possible. Shoulder harnesses must route over a harness bar or roll cage/bar. Connecting directly to a "harness truss" is acceptable. Shoulder harnesses must not be angled downward more than 45 degrees from the chassis' plane as they leave the shoulder. All belts must be securely mounted to the vehicle. Eye bolts are suggested for harness lap belt mounting points so that the mounting point has a degree of freedom as to not place an uneven load between the belt webbing and belt clip. Lap belts must be routed in such a way that the belt adjustor does not get caught in the seat causing it to "dump" when placed under heavy loading. "US Grade 5 or Metric 8.8" or better hardware must be used. Harness must be replaced after ten (10) years. It is the recommendation of the track committee that harness users follow the replacement interval of the harnesses manufacturer if it is less than ten years. Harnesses: non-PorscheSchroth Quick Fit, Schroth Rallye, and Schroth AutoControl four-point harnesses for use in BMW, MINI, Audi, VW & Subaru WRX, conforming to the Schroth installation guidelines is acceptable. A four-point harness is not acceptable for Porsche manufactured vehicles because no provision for shoulder belt routing is available for single piece seat backs used by Porsche. Only vehicles on the Schroth vehicle reference list can install Quick Fit four-point harnesses. Equal RestraintsEqual restraints are required for driver and passenger (if a passenger is present). "Equal restraints" means both occupants have the same level of equipment. NER/Zone 1 regions require that all instructors' cars that may take a passenger have equal restraints and that they "default up to the higher level of protection", i.e. if one has a five-point harness, both must have them. N.B. The following MOMO harnesses will not be permitted at any NER/PCA event because of safety defects: FIA B-143.T/98, FIA C-154.T/98, FIA D-153.T/98, FIA D-142.T/98, and SFI 16.1. DoorsAll must be operable from the inside and outside of the vehicle. HelmetAll helmets must be Snell approved. An eye shield, or other eye protection, is recommended. The helmet must have a secure chinstrap, which must be used at all times. Helmet Reference Chart - Pre-Snell 95: No longer accepted
- M95*: No longer accepted
- SA95: No longer accepted
- SA2000: Acceptable through 2010
- M2000*: Acceptable through 2010
- SA2005: Acceptable through 2015
- M2005*: Acceptable through 2015
- SA2010: Acceptable through 2020
- M2010*: Acceptable through 2020
*A number of tracks and organizations no longer allow M-rated helmets. If you are purchasing a new helmet, make sure it's Snell 2005 or 2010, SA-rated. Any questions on helmets should be directed to NER's Scrutineer.
For more information on Snell ratings, check out the Snell Memorial Foundation website.
Clothing
Long-sleeved shirt and pants. No synthetic materials. No red or yellow clothing for work assignments.
Shoes
Either closed-toed shoes with rubber soles or Nomex driving shoes (we recommend that you don't drive in sneakers, as the soles are too thick for proper feel and control).
For any questions, please contact our scrutineer: Chris Outzen. |
