The basic information on vehicle logbooks is in GCR 12.3.
One and only one logbook is issued to a vehicle (and its cage), and it belongs to the vehicle, not the owner or driver. It shows that the car has been deemed eligible to compete in SCCA events, and that the basic construction conforms to the safety requirements. It provides information to quickly verify the identity of the car. It also provides a convenient record of basic specs needed in the event the legality should be questioned, a record of ownership, a a history of events entered, and a record of the condition of the vehicle before and after each event. [There is an oft-overlooked paragraph on the back cover of the logbook which every scrutineer and car owner should read.]
If a vehicle is eligible for more than one class, it shall still have only one logbook, but show the spec information for each class, and pictures of the car in all configurations.
The logbook and its continuations may be issued only by a currently Nationally licensed Tech Inspector. The inspector shall enter all the required information [inside the front cover] to identify the car and its cage, verify material of construction, record initial ownership, and shall conduct an initial complete inspection as required by GCR 13. The inspector shall sign where indicated. A blank logbook should NEVER be given to a competitor to fill in, even as a continuation.
There should be two photographs, one 3/4 front and one 3/4 rear, so that all four sides of the car are shown. They should be of the car sitting still, not on a trailer, and close enough that some details are visible. Unusual cage configurations should be identifiable.
The logbook is issued to the car/cage combination. A unique registration or identity number is issued to the vehicle. The number is recorded on the front of the logbook, and stamped into the main hoop of the roll cage. The number is in two parts. The first part is the region number. The second part is a consecutive running number, starting from one, of cars registered in that region. The record should be kept as part of the region's papers and be available in the future should a vehicle number need to be traced.
The inspection of the cage is very important. The required minimum dimensions of the bars should first be determined using the tables in the GCR or spec books. The specs are determined by the type of vehicle, its weight, and the material used in the bars. An inspection hole (minimum diameter 3/16 inch) must be drilled into one sample bar of each type that has a spec. This will be the main hoop, the forward hoop or side hoops, the diagonal in the main hoop, the rear braces to the main hoop, and the forward braces to the front hoop, as a minimum. There are slight variations for different categories. (1) The measurements must be entered in the logbook. The registration number should be stamped near the inspection hole in the main hoop. For convenience, all bars with inspection holes should be on one side of the vehicle. If the car is not a single-seat type, it is usually easier to put the stamp on the passenger side. If the location is not obvious, write it on the front of the logbook.
When inspecting the actual vehicle at any time, always check the logbook number against the roll bar and the rest of the vehicle. If the cage has been put into a different car, or a new cage installed in a car, then a new logbook must be issued. If the bar still has a number stamped in it, that number must be obliterated and the new number stamped. If no number can be found, the bar must be remeasured, stamped, and the information entered into the logbook (with inspector's name, license number, and date).
At the time that the first logbook is issued to register the car in SCCA Club Racing, the tech inspector must verify that the cage materials meet the required specs, and enter the measurements in the logbook. This is true for cars with homologation certificates, because the certificate certifies the design, but not the execution of the design nor the materials used. This is also true for cars that have been raced in pro series, such as the TransAm or Toyota Atlantic, and that typically have not had any or all of the bars measured as required in Club Racing. However, SCCA spec cars are exempt from these requirements.
If there is a homologation certificate, the original must be kept with the logbook and presented with it whenever required. The three spec cars approved by SCCA, (SR, SRF, and SCA), do not have a homologation certificate. Instead, they have a special logbook different from the SCCA blue standard, that can be issued only by the manufacturer. These cars may not have a standard blue logbook, even as a continuation. If one is presented, it should be impounded and turned over to the Chief Steward.
If any basic information is missing, it must be entered and signed off with a name, license number, and date. If ownership has changed, enter the new owner and the date of transfer. If there are any deficiencies requiring a remedy and not signed off, the vehicle must be inspected. If deficiencies have been remedied, the note should be signed off with a name, license number, and date.
Missing Homologation Papers
If a
homologation certificate
is required but not presented, the Chief
Steward (or designated representative) may grant permission to compete. A note
must be entered into the logbook requiring that the certificate or evidence of
having applied for it be presented at the next event before the vehicle may
compete again. A vehicle that has a pending application for homologation may
have a letter from the Club Racing Office permitting two races. This should
be signed off by the Chief of Tech to show that an event has been entered
under this provision.
During inspection of the vehicle, if any deviation from the rules for safety or legality is found, it should be noted in the logbook. If a waiver is granted permitting competition in the event, the duration of the waiver and the remedy required must be noted. Normally, the waiver is for the current event only. In unusual circumstances, it may be by a specified date. This is one reason why the inspector at initial tech for each event should read back in the logbook.
Any time that the vehicle is completely inspected and found to have no deficiencies, the region's "annual inspection" stamp should be entered on the current page.
If the car is protested during the event, either by another competitor or in impound, and found to be illegal, the result shall be entered by the SOM or designated representative such as the Chief of Tech. Normally the infraction must be corrected before the next event is entered, and the tech inspector at that event must verify that the deviation has been corrected.
If the vehicle is damaged in an accident or by mechanical failure, the damage and required repairs shall be noted in the logbook by an investigator, normally a tech inspector.
Make notes of anything you've found that another scrutineer might also question and would need to know. (for example, where the inspection holes or roll bar number are hidden)
If there was a compliance problem and the stewards have the logbook, try to make sure a note is made in the event of adverse judgment.
Click here to see the complete Logbook. Note that it includes a large number of images of logbook pages.
![[inside the front cover]](FrontInside.gif){kind=link}
