Vehicle Scrutineering is not only a basic check undertaken before all competitive events for the safety of competitors, officials and spectators, but also to try and ensure that everyone is competing on a level playing field. These checks will be in line with the published regulations and whilst we will advise where we can, it is the competitors responsibility to ensure that the vehicle is eligible. This also means that the vehicle needs to be presented for Scrutineering clean enough so that the Scrutineer can check the mechanicals underneath without having to chip away a load of crud.

This is for everybody’s safety and for insurance purposes. An unsafe vehicle could injure its driver, passenger, event officials or a spectator.

Basic requirements for all competitive events (other than TYRO) are a front and rear towing point, tow rope, a return spring on the last link of the carburettor to a fixed point (to enable the throttle to idle if the linkage is broken), and a secure battery.

***Please remember Scrutineering starts at 8.30am and will finish at 9.30am sharp***

Please get to the event early enough to get scrutineered- just because Scrutineering closes at 9.30am, doesn’t mean you can turn up at 9.25.

Tow ropes

From 1st May 2023, if there is a requirement for a tow rope to be carried, they need to be a standard rope. Straps / strops, chains, wire rope, or the use of metal shackles to join ropes are prohibited, although soft shackles may be used. Kinetic ropes are also prohibited.

Seat Belts

From 1st May 2023, a minimum of a three point harness is required by all occupants in a CCV Trial. (A three point is defined as comprising of two merged shoulder and one lap strap with three anchorage points on the chassis / body shell or roll over bar of the vehicle on either side and to the rear of the drivers seat). Four, five and six point harnesses are acceptable alternatives.

Fire Extinguishers

It is recommended that these are carried for Tyro & RTV events, but mandatory for CCV’s, Timed Trials etc. This needs to be less than 2 years old or stickered / certified as serviced by a qualified engineer at least every 2 years. A full list of suitable extinguishants are available in the Motorsport UK Blue Book, but the current main ones are a 2.4ltr AFFF and a 2kg Dry Powder. Please note being a liquid the AFF is sized by volume and the Dry Powder being a powder is sized by weight.

Rear View Mirrors

There have been a few serious incidents around the country caused by drivers not being able to see when reversing. As a result, the following has been introduced: –
P.60.7. Rearward vision whilst properly seated within the confines of the vehicle’s bodywork or ROPS must be possible. Vehicles with solid rear bulkheads or an obstructed view along the centreline of the longitudinal axis must be fitted with either external rear view mirrors or a reversing camera. Mirrors and/or cameras must be operational during competition.
Whilst this still allows you to look over your shoulder down the centre line of the vehicle, there are some circumstances where this just won’t work. A rear radiator or a bulkhead are the obvious things that are going to get in the way, preventing rearward vision. Other things that aren’t so obvious are canvass tilts where the rear window has turned opaque and high back seats. There are a few of these around where the seat wraps around you to keep you nice and snug, but it also means the shoulder / head “wings” will prevent you from moving out of the seat and seeing down the centre line of the vehicle. If you can’t see behind you, you will need to make sure you have a minimum of a rear-view mirror, whether that means using door / wing mirrors or an internal mirror on the windscreen / mounted on the roll cage. If you don’t want external mirrors you can use a camera system in lieu of a mirror.
The important bit above is “whilst properly seated within the confines of the vehicle’s bodywork or ROPS “. If you are looking over your shoulder whilst propped up out of your seat your belts must be too loose and you won’t be in proper control of the vehicle. Poking your head outside the confines of a vehicle is a definite no no.

And finally…

Self declaration is becoming the norm, but checks will still be carried out. If the Scrutineer can’t see it, they can’t check it, and if they can’t check it, they can’t pass it. Please make sure your vehicle is presented to Scrutineering in a clean & tidy manner.

In the main, we have a good standard of vehicles, let’s please keep it that way.