If you build it, they will inspect it

2011 took off with a blast, and finished with a Stephen J. Cannell style ending, but 2012 is time to begin another chapter. There's still time to slip into the Art of Road Racing Racing School, where BTM driver Andy Chittum will be instructing, but Team BTM has spent some time this winter going over 2011 data, overhauling both cars, and planning for another good year of hard fair racing.

NASA Norcal, and the fine technical inspection crew that help govern Spec e30 play a large part in keeping huge Spec e30 fields fair, after all, with fields likely to surpass 35 cars in 2012, the last thing that a competitor wants to worry about is that car just ahead that seems to be magically just a little faster than possible. Looking through a year of 2011 tech notes, the thoroughness of the NASA tech crew was amazing:

• Air Mass Meters inspected, checked for compliance.
• Intake opened up, camera inserted looking for signs of machining anywhere on the intake
• Fuel was removed from each car and analyzed. NASA didn't specify the scope of the analysis.
• Steering Racks were checked for ratio and proper part number.
• Front and rear camber was checked multiple times throughout the year for compliance.
• Front and rear track were checked multiple times throughout the year for compliance.
• Differential gear ratio was checked
• Rear LSD breakaway force was checked
• Spare Tire weight was checked
• Wheel Weight was checked - NASA took a wheel from each car, removed the tire, weighed the rim and had AIM reinstall and rebalance the tire on the wheel.
• Car Weight was checked on most every car after nearly every qualifying, and top cars after the race.
• HP & Torque was checked on the dyno at Thunderhill.
• Flywheel was removed, weighed and checked for modification.

What is telling is that the championship winning #91 car was inspected in just about every one of these procedures (one of the downsides of finishing up front!) that car never had any technical infractions. In fact, the top cars in the series remained all relatively free of trouble, a testament to the fine competitors and camaraderie in NASA Norcal Spec e30.

The early pre-season announcements look to have tons of excellent incentives, prizes, excitement and fun for the group, so stay tuned to this spot for Team BTM Motorwerks' defense of their championship in 2012!