HPDE Tech Guide

🛠️ What Happens During a Tech Inspection for HPDE: Step-by-Step Guide 

When you sign up for your first High Performance Driver Education (HPDE) event, one of the most important steps is having your car go through a tech inspection. This is not just paperwork—it’s about ensuring your car is safe, reliable, and ready for the demands of track driving. 

Most organizations (like NASA, PCA, or Chin) will provide a tech form that must be signed off by a licensed mechanic or reputable performance shop. Here’s what a proper pre-track tech inspection looks like when done by a shop that knows HPDE. 

 

Brakes – The Most Critical System 

Track driving puts serious heat into your braking system, far beyond what it sees on the street. A shop will: 

• Inspect Brake Pads: A tech will measure pad thickness and look for even wear. Most shops require at least 50% pad life for HPDE. For performance driving, high-temp track pads (like Ferodo or Pagid) are recommended, especially if you’re driving a heavier or faster car. 

• Check Rotors: Warped or cracked rotors are a no-go. Surface scoring, heat spots, or ridging will be flagged. The shop may also check rotor runout and thickness against spec. 

• Flush Brake Fluid: This is non-negotiable. The shop will flush your old brake fluid and replace it with a high-temp DOT 4 fluid (like Castrol SRF, Motul RBF600, or similar). Old fluid boils easily—resulting in total brake failure. 

• Test Pedal Feel: A proper tech includes a brake pedal pressure test to ensure firmness under load. A spongy pedal is a red flag. 

 

Tires & Wheels – Where the Car Meets the Track 

Next, attention shifts to the tires and wheels: 

• Inspect Tire Condition: The shop will check tread depth across all tires, looking for bald spots, excessive shoulder wear, or uneven wear patterns that might signal alignment issues. 

• Check for Damage or Dry Rot: Any signs of cracking, dry rot, bubbles, or cords showing will result in a fail. 

• Verify Tire Pressures: Baseline tire pressures are set for safe cold-start operation. Many drivers tweak pressures on track, but the shop will ensure you’re starting in a safe zone. 

• Inspect Wheels: Cracks, bends, or curb rash near the bead seat will be noted. The shop will torque all lug nuts to spec and may mark them with a paint pen for at-track visual checks. 

 

Suspension & Steering – Control and Predictability 

Track driving demands predictable handling and tight feedback: 

• Check Suspension Joints & Bushings: The shop inspects control arms, end links, sway bar bushings, and tie rods for slop, cracking, or excessive movement. 

• Shock Absorbers: They’ll check for leaks or “dead” shocks that no longer provide damping. A bounce test may be used to verify function. 

• Steering Play: The tech will evaluate steering response for excess play or clunking, indicating potential rack, bushing, or joint issues. 

• Alignment Check: While not always part of the standard form, many shops will recommend (or offer) a performance alignment optimized for your car and goals. 

 

Fluids & Leaks – Keep it Cool, Keep it Together 

Fluids are the lifeblood of your car—and failure here means you could lose an engine, or worse, oil down the track. 

• Check for Leaks: A thorough underbody inspection will look for oil, coolant, or transmission fluid leaks—especially around gaskets, drain plugs, and the oil pan. 

• Oil Level & Condition: Most shops will check your oil level and may recommend an oil change before the event. On cars prone to oil starvation (e.g., BMW M3s, Subaru turbo motors), they may recommend overfilling slightly or adding baffles. 

• Coolant Check: The cooling system is pressure-tested for leaks, and the overflow tank is inspected for signs of overheating (e.g., oily residue or discoloration). 

• Power Steering & Transmission Fluids: These are often overlooked but vital. The shop may check levels and color/condition. 

 

Battery & Electrical – Don’t Let Loose Ends Ruin Your Day 

Even a strong engine can’t compensate for a loose battery or a failed ground. 

• Secure Battery: A shop will confirm the battery is properly tied down—no zip ties or bungee cords. An unsecured battery is a major safety violation. 

• Terminals: Battery terminals are checked for corrosion, tightness, and secure cables. 

• Brake Lights: All brake lights (including center-mounted) must function. 

 

Interior Safety & Cleanliness – Simplify, Then Add Speed 

• Remove Loose Items: No floor mats, water bottles, tools, or air fresheners flying around. The interior must be stripped of anything that could shift under G-forces. 

• Check Seat Mounts: Factory or aftermarket seats must be securely bolted down. No movement allowed. 

• Verify Seatbelts or Harnesses: Factory belts must be free of fraying or cuts. Aftermarket harnesses (if used) must be correctly mounted and within date. 

 

Exterior Check – Visibility and Structure 

• Windshield: The shop will inspect for cracks, chips, or damage in the driver’s line of sight. 

• Wipers & Washers: Often ignored, but essential if weather hits. Blades should be fresh and fluid reservoir topped off. 

• Tow Hooks: If your car has a removable tow hook (common in Euro cars), install it before arriving. Some tracks won’t let you run without one accessible. 

 

Driver Safety Gear Check (If Required) 

• Helmet: Most groups require a Snell SA2020-rated helmet. The shop may inspect for date and visible cracks or damage. 

• Fire Extinguisher (if mounted): If your car has one, it must be secured in an approved bracket. 

 

Final Step: Tech Form Sign-Off 

Once the car passes, the shop will complete and sign your tech form. This includes: 

• Date of inspection 

• Shop contact info 

• Inspector’s name and signature 

Many organizations require this inspection to occur within 30 days of the event. 

 

Bonus Services Offered by Track-Savvy Shops 

Experienced prep shops may also offer: 

• Track pad installation & bedding 

• Corner balancing & alignment 

• Pre-event nut & bolt torque check 

• Data/gauge installs 

• Fluid analysis or sampling 

 

Final Thought 

Your car doesn’t need to be a full race build to enjoy HPDE—but it does need to be safe, reliable, and track-worthy. A proper tech inspection is your first act of driver responsibility and your best insurance against a ruined weekend (or worse).