Dorkiphus.net - bhpbrakes.com

Call the flatbed, Common Sense has spun in T1 and is stuck turtle in the kitty litter.

“Now that is settled, I need to get a new set of tires for the 3/12 Summit Point DE. I want to get a set of Hoosier slicks - Does anyone know who has the best price on them? I hear they grip a LOT better than RA-1s, and I hear that will really help me learn the car in my first few DEs.”
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This looks just like a real question and the Dorki brethren might be surprised to find out is one that that Potomac tech gets all too often in one form or another. (RL, call your office ;)) Bill and Dirk are tech inspectors and they answered a tech related question with the standard tech answer. I would have done so as well but they covered it.

I think someone farted and this might help to clear the air some. When a car comes through tech with something that is thought to be unsafe be it something malfunctioning or a bad combination we have to flag it. This is why we are there, not just to have a reason to get up at 4:30 so we can be at the track at 6:00. (BTW seeing a bunch of fellow drivers is also a good reason to be at grid. Almost any day at the track is better than where I am right now) If we find something that is not good do we say “Pack sand sucker, you didn’t read the fine print” and send them on their way? No, we work hard to try and correct it on the spot and if it is not correctable or is something that requires a judgment, send it uphill to the powers that be.
Calling all DE Instructors. Anyone want a 0.0 Green with a tweaked up 9xx sitting on slicks? Come on now, he even has a new driving suit. The car is fine on paper and the tires are fine on paper and the driver is a good guy, smart as all get out, well liked and all but … Nether he or his instructor are likely going to have any fun or learn anything other than slicks or even DOT comp tires are picky bitches that need to be driven with experience and tact. It is not a matter of individual items but of a bad combo for the driver. With slicks, based on what we know about tires and learning curves, ether the car and driver are in the wrong run group or the tires are. Vodka and toothpaste, not so good. Vodka and OJ, Hey Now! Keep pouring till I say "schwhen". Vodka and tooth brush. Not good. Toothpaste and toothbrush, Bingo. Once a week whether they need it or not.
Common sense dictates that tech inspectors need look at what, where and by whom not just the parts. (Hierarchy police. “Whom” means how experienced in the venue and with the hardware not do I like this guy, his he a buddy of mine or is he dating my sister)

As for the posts that dice with the tech inspectors about components and tech form wording. Don’t tell anyone, this will be our little secret OK? We sometimes do more that look at parts in order for us all to be safe, learn and have fun. We could just go by some hard fast rules but this would ensure poor fit at both ends of the learning curve. The Green students would have stuff that is above their driving ability, could/would compromise their learning rate and "fun" return rate and the Red/Black drivers would not be able to use hardware or do things they are capable of. This is not a pecking order, it is reality.

I think this site has many great things going for it. People helping each other, working on cars, exchanging ideas and information and that this is an open forum to say whatever funny things we want how we want and with bad words if we like. (Glycol!) See, I said a bad word.

Let’s not get the transfer of information confused with an imaginary pecking order and joking around with transfer of information.

IMHO. We get the question answered first, then we hijack the thread and get caught laughing at out desks!