Good morning from the FIA WEC paddock at Silverstone Circuit in sunny Northamptonshire.
The teams are now in place, the competitors’ gleaming race transporters are unpacked and polished, and a day of 'checks' is about to begin.
These take the form of 'administrative' or 'technical' and, above all, it is a busy day for the team managers.
Administrative scrutineering covers the formal documentation which must be presented at each race – namely the entrant’s competition licence. Each team’s drivers must present their competition licence, their Medical Apt (confirmation they have been passed fit to compete) and, if necessary, starting permission from their national governing body.
In some cases this information is all included on the driver’s licence, but in others it is necessary for an additional letter to be obtained from the governing body giving formal permission for a driver to compete in another country.
Drivers must also present for inspection all their equipment including helmets, HANS devices, overalls and fireproof underwear so the scrutineers can ensure they conform to the latest regulations and safety requirements.
As the cars are presented for technical scrutineering, each has its own ‘passport’ – a document prepared by the constructor of each car detailing all the homologated parts. The organisers receive an example of these ahead of time so the scrutineers are fully familiarised with the technicalities of each marque of car in front of them at each race. The regulated parts on each car are checked, including the weight, dimensions and safety elements, and all cars must conform fully to the regulations of its class in order for it to be passed for competition.
Fiona Miller
