7 Scrutineering
7.1 Scrutineering Time
Solar cars will be inspected to verify compliance with the regulations at 8:00 AM on the day preceding the event (subject to change). Vehicles not ready to begin scrutineering at this time will be penalized up to 5 miles.
7.2 Inspected Solar Cars
Solar Cars that pass scrutineering will be allowed to participate in the event. Vehicles that do not pass scrutineering must correct the deficiency in order to be considered for participation in the event. After repairs are made, the team has the responsibility to notify event officials that their vehicle is again ready for scrutineering. Vehicles will continue to be inspected according to the schedule set out in the Where-to-Be What-to-Do document. Vehicles may be subject to inspection at any time.
7.2.1 Elimination
Teams failing to complete all scrutineering stations within the allotted scrutineering time will be eliminated from the race, upon direct consultation with the Event Director.No team shall be eliminated without such consultation.
7.3 Safety
Each team is responsible for the road-worthiness of its solar car. Passing the scrutineering process does not relieve the team of its responsibility, nor impose any liability on the event organizers. Solar cars must be maintained in a safe, road-worthy condition at all times.
7.4 Liability
Teams will be required to sign a Release of Liability Form prior to admission to the event. Proof of Vehicle Liability Insurance will also be required at the time of Team Check-In. On cross-country event years, teams must submit their Proof of Vehicle Liability Insurance no later than June 1st.
7.5 Braking
Solar cars will be required to meet the braking guidelines set out in Section 5.10. Failure to meet these guidelines will require the team to make the necessary changes to bring their vehicle into compliance, and then to be re-tested. Any solar car that does not pass the brake test will not be allowed to enter the event. Teams whose cars are equipped with cruise control systems, as allowed by Section 5.14, will be required to explain how the cruise control system is disengaged when brakes are applied, and to demonstrate its function.
7.6 Handling
Solar cars will be required to run through a slalom course, weaving in-between at least six cones spaced approximately 40 feet apart, to ensure proper handling when lateral forces are exerted on the frame and wheel assemblies. Each driver must pass the slalom course to quality to drive in the event. Drivers receive their official “driver’s wrist band” after completing the slalom.
7.7 Safety Meeting
Team drivers and advisors will be required to attend a safety meeting scheduled after Team Check-in.
7.8 Safety Equipment
Each team must demonstrate during scrutineering that it is prepared to handle emergencies. This includes the designation of a team safety coordinator. The following equipment must be easily accessible to the team: fire extinguishers (both on the solar car and the chase vehicles), traffic cones or warning triangles, orange warning flags, safety vests (for driver, safety officer, and team members entering the track or on the road), and jack stands. At least one fire extinguisher must have a 10lb capacity.Jack stands must be used whenever the solar car is off the ground for maintenance.
Teams working on their solar cars in the garage area are required to use protective eyewear. A penalty will be assessed for failure to wear protective eyewear.
When welding, teams must use a welding curtain to shield from visual damage.Teams must also provide protection for damage to the floor.
7.9 Safety Holds
Event Officials reserve the right to hold any solar car from proceeding on the race course at any time if they feel the car has potential safety issues.Examples of safety issues include unsafe handling, risk of rollover, and unsafe driving behavior.Teams must rectify the safety issue to the satisfaction of the Race Technical Director or Event Director before being allowed to proceed on the race course.
7.10 Post-Event Inspection
At the conclusion of the event, the event officials may conduct a post-event inspection of the first place team in each division. In addition, event officials will have the discretion to conduct post-event inspections for all other teams.The post-event inspection will confirm that the car complies with event regulations and that the components in the car agree with the Data Sheets [See Section 3.6] submitted to the event.If a car fails any portion of the post-event inspection, the team will be penalized based on the provisions set out in Section 24.