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News FEATURE: SCRUTINEERING 7 September 2011  Being
the largest motorcycle racing event in Malaysia, the PETRONAS AAM
Malaysian Cub Prix Championship strives to be professional in every
single area. We had introduced readers to Cub Prix’s timekeepers,
marshalls and medical team. This time around, we venture into the more
technical aspects of the Championship and get to know what the
scrutineering team is all about.By definition, the scrutineering team are a group of people from an independent body with no ties or interest to any party who runs various rigorous technical checks on bikes during a race weekend. This is to ensure competitors conform to the technical and safety guidelines as stated in the Cub Prix Supplementary Regulations and help them compete in a safe and legal manner. The scrutineering team is normally made of seven individuals- Chief Technical Scrutineer and six assistants responsible of checking different areas.These people come into close contact with riders, manufactures, sponsors and organizer and must therefore be able to carry out their duties in a friendly and helpful manner. Based at the technical control or impound bay in the paddock area, appointed scrutineers have the power to check bikes at any point during a race weekend. Pre-scrutineering (Safety) Pre-scrutineering is one of the many rituals carried out before riders hit the track for free practice sessions on Saturday. Not a single bike can go on the track until it has passed this process. At this time, motorcycles must be presented to the technical checking area and inspected under the name of the rider within the time stipulated in the race programme. The pre-scrutineering procedure focuses from a safety point of view for both rider and their competitors on the track. Here appointed technical scrutineers will examine the exterior parts of the bike visible to the eyes. This includes leg shields, mudguards, exhaust, handle bar, hand and foot controls, tires, competition numbers, brakes, helmets, racing suits, back protector, gloves and racing boots. The weight of the rider and their bikes are also taken at this time. This is to ensure all bikes comply with the minimum weight of 80 kilogrammes without fuel and a maximum of 95 kilogrammes. The combined weight of both rider and their respective bikes will also be recorded. Total weight of the rider wearing a racing suit, helmet, boots, back protector, gloves and bike should hit a target of 135 kilogrammes for the Wira category where else the targeted weight for the CP115 and CP130 is 140 kilogrammes. Post Race scrutineering At a conclusion of a race or qualifying session, riders are to bring their bikes directly to the impound bay for Post Race scrutineering. Once again, riders still equipped with their riding gear will queue up and wait for their turn to weight themselves and their respective bikes. Once this is done bikes will be impounded for 30 minutes pending any protests. Before the bike and rider are being weight and taken into the impound bay, riders are not allowed to drink or consume any form of liquid and mechanics are not allowed to come into contact with the bike to avoid last minute fixing. While this happens, the Chief Technical Scrutineer may at his discretion choose to check whichever bikes for technical compliance with other aspects of the regulations and re-inspect any bike that has been involved in an accident. Different than pre-scrutineering, the post-race scrutineering is much more thorough and complex. Rather than just focusing on safety points and the exterior part of the bikes, the Chief Technical Scrutineer holds the right to examine the capacity of the engine or any other components where he deems necessary regardless if it may or may not have increased the bike’s performance. Among the common areas checked during this time includes the cylinder head, carburetor, cylinder block, crank case, primary drive and driven, magneto assembly, crankshaft assembly and piston. Usually two team mechanics are called to assist the technical scrutineer. The strip down will normally be done in the technical control tent. Satisfied with the results, the Chief Technical Scrutineer will prepare a report to be handed to the Chief of the Clerk (COC) at the end of the day. In any case of infringements or violation of the regulations, the COC will study the report before handing the case over to the race stewards for further action. How to become a scrutineer To become a scrutineer, one must successfully pass the scrutineering examination administered by Cub Prix sanctioning body, the Automobile Associatian of Malaysia (AAM). An interested candidate must study the National Competition Rules before they are allowed to take the test normally held once every three years. Upon passing, the candidate will be granted a technical official license. Issued by Global PR Sdn Bhd Copyright to Safe Aim Mutual Sdn Bhd |
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