When you hear the words track tech, the images that come to mind are a person who is sitting in a track engineering seat in a car. But a track engineering job doesn’t have to involve racing a Ferrari at high speeds down a track. In fact, track technicians may work for racing teams, helping them fine tune their vehicles for competition. They may also be employed by private owners as an extra set of eyes on the track.
Track engineering jobs cover a wide variety of areas. One such task is testing the performance of a vehicle. This is known as vehicle testing and the work involved can be quite demanding. Some track technicians are tasked with analyzing a car’s exhaust system to ensure it meets regulations set forth by the NASCAR governing body. They check the flow of air, for instance, as well as its noise level and turbulence.
A track tech’s job may also require examining race cars for problems like those found on the track. Another task is testing the roll of a vehicle during a corner turn. He or she will look to make sure the track is not being flattened by excessive wear and tear. Some race car techs are also responsible for inspecting engines and other engine parts to determine whether they need to be repaired or replaced before a race.
Another job that may require testing is determining the condition of race tires. If a race team changes race tires mid-season, for example, they may be required to inspect the entire field to make sure no additional tires have been placed. Again, inspecting the whole course could take quite a while and is often done in conjunction with field inspection.
A track tech’s job requires a lot of driving. For one thing, he or she must be skilled enough to handle the various components of a race car. In addition, the track is often quite rugged. If the track is used by more than one car manufacturer, the track tech must know the specific adjustments each make. Racetrack mechanics are usually also highly skilled car mechanics, so they often oversee the entire process.
A track tech often works in conjunction with a race team mechanic. As the race team mechanic, he or she can provide feedback about car handling, especially as it applies to track conditions. A track tech is responsible for making sure all of the car components are working properly. If anything is not operating correctly, it could prove to be a big problem in the race. If a track tech notices that one car is not moving properly, for example, he or she could take the car for a tune up. This is important because if the proper components are not functioning, the car will not be able to perform well.
When track conditions are poor, a track tech may need to bring a piece of equipment to the track. These items include an optical camera, which are able to capture images of the track, and several high-definition cameras. The images may be analyzed before a track repair is made.
A track tech has many duties when it comes to track maintenance. However, being responsible for making sure everything is working properly is definitely one of his or her most important jobs. Without the proper track maintenance, a track event may be much less enjoyable for everyone involved.
To get into the track maintenance field, a track technician needs at least a high school diploma. Many schools offer track maintenance programs for students who would like to pursue a career in this field. It takes about two years to complete a full ride track maintenance program. Those who already have a track job may use the time they spend in school to gain even more knowledge about the track operations as well as track maintenance techniques.
Every track technician has their own specialty, such as performing pit stops. The purpose of this is to clear the tires of debris that may have been caught in them, especially during wet races. As a track technician, it is your responsibility to know how to do all of these tasks. You need to also be careful when it comes to the track lights, as you need to be aware of what they are doing at all times.
One big responsibility of a track technician is making sure that all track equipment is up to par and ready to go before every race. This includes checking the fluid levels in all fluids, including tires, brakes, and many other elements. In addition, there are many safety checks that need to be made, such as inspecting the track surface and making sure it’s clear of obstacles. For those who work in track maintenance, safety is of paramount importance. This is why most track technicians have undergone some type of safety training.
