Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

I have a serious question. What exactly does it take to become a certified NHRA tech official? Are there tests that must be taken? Are there certain qualifications? What exactly does it take? Also, after you are certified as a tech official, what ongoing training or classes (CEU's) must be taken? Is there an official NHRA school for their tech officials?

All of us who have been around for a while pretty much know which tech officials know their jobs. However there seems to be quite a few "loose cannons" out there who make things up when they don't know the answer which makes things more complicated for all racers and other tech officials. It seems to me that if there were a central technical informational resource site that all tech officials could call or go to, it might reduce the amount of problems encountered in tech. Jim

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

Be able to get up in the morning and work for nothing or next to nothing!!!!

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

Back in the 80's, when we had a drag strip, in order to be sanctioned and insured we had to go to a Tech Inspection class by the sanctioning body and be certified. All the basic safety items were stressed, seat belts, helmets, lug nuts, driveshaft loops, etc. Also, how to look for and handle substance abuse.
I would surely hope that is still the case.

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

Jim - Since you stated you had a serious question i'll try and give you a serious answer .First , all tech people are SFI tested -- mostly on safety issues - there are several levels depending on where you are going to work at -- local track workers then divisional then National event workers and so on .As for class car info you either have it or spend time learning from Divisional workers who train .Yes , its long hours and short pay but can be very rewarding to some .Anyone interested should contact their Division Director as the NHRA is just like the Marines -- they need a few good men (and women) .

One last thing -- a unnamed Division Director once told me I could steal anything I wanted as a 'techie' -- with my eyes ...........

Hope I've helped.............

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

Jack is right on. We all know everyone respects Wesley, how did he get all that knowledge ? He was trained by the best. In the early 70s he was in Div. 1 and learned from one of the best back in the day Greg X.

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

You forgot you must be CRAZY also.

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

Even for weekly program local tracks, there is a tech certification test.

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

x2

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

You have to pass a written test to be SFI Certified. You must be re-certified by passing a test every two years. Each division has a head tech inspector. If an inspector is not certain about a technical issue he, or she, should contact their division head tech inspector for guidance. If you have a problem with a decision made by a tech inspector you should ask the inspector to show you the section in the rule book that covers the decision the inspector made. I am at the bottom end of tech inspectors and only carry a copper card.

Raul

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

1. must be willing to work for appx $8 per hour, no overtime for dailys up to 15 hours
2. must be willing to work in near 100 degree heat & 90% humiduty (division 3)
3. must be willing to take verbal abuse for your superiors ignorant decisions
4. must be willing to have your experience overridden at a moments notice by your superiors ignorance
5. must be willing to wear red white & blue suit so everyone knows you are willing to take 1-4
6. must be willing to carry around a rule book which absolutely no one cares about, especially superiors

applications are available online under NHRA CHUMP

LOL
jack mccarthy

most amazing is that there are actually 3-5 of these guys who do a great job every damn week !

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?(Jack Matyas)
 

Just think Jack, you and i were in that elite group at one time!!!!!!!! lol:D

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?(Jack Matyas)
 

Ya got smarter as time went on....didnt you....lol. The no pay and the long hours on your feet turns a fun hobby into a chore. Racing is more fun.

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

Truer words have never been spoken before !

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

Terry, i worked a Coors 5 Day Race, i think i averaged $1.25 an Hour for about 16 hours!:mad:

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

I remember when I heard you started working as a tech official for NHRA and my first thought was.......Oh Boy....just wait....LOL. Hope your feeling better and are able to start racing again soon. Take care.

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

It still aint changed much now. Gotta love it and love the abuse (sometimes from racers ). Every racer should be a tech official at least once.

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

I agree with you Danny. It should be a requirement to get a number and/or liscense to race. Keep Hank and Robert straight......LOL.

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

That would be when I would quit.

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

No you need to work at a track 20 hours to undstand that side of the fence.

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

LOL.....I hear you Herb. I used to help here locally at Colonial Beach, Va.back in the early 70's and dont know how you did it.

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

Wow, I didn't know Wesley worked Div 1. First time I met him was one time Red Anderson tore down both myself and James Lee for records at the old Houma LA track. Best I can remember it was Wesley's first Div 4 race. That had to be mid-late '70s. Wesley, James and I all had brown hair back then. :D
And Red's was still red.

Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?
 

My first tech experience. 1973 Red Andersen teched me in at LaPlace Dragway. He told me , he was going to let me run but at the next race, I would have to put in arm rests and a passenger side sun visor. At the next race at Houma , Wesley told me I would have to remove the arm rests and the sun visor because a 150 55 Chevy did not come with those features.

Greg Schenck