WKA SFI Certified Technical Inspector Program
WKA and the SFI Foundation, Inc. (SFI) continue to work together to develop and administer WKA’s Technical Inspector Training and Certification Program. This is the fourth year of the SFI/WKA Technical Inspector Training and Certification Program. The program is designed to ensure consistency in technical inspection at our National and Divisional/Regional Series events and at participating Master Tracks. It also recognizes our technical inspectors for their proficiency and experience.

This year’s training will include all of the latest rule changes, specification updates and tech inspection procedures. It will also include more information on the role of the tech inspector, tech room procedures and the protest and appeal process.

In addition to being trained and certified to conduct technical inspection, there are added benefits to becoming certified. Contact information for all SFI/WKA Certified Technical Inspectors is available to all WKA Divisional Series and Master Track officials. This helps series and track officials identify inspectors for their events.

New in 2009 will be an E-mail information distribution service available for all SFI/WKA Certified Tech Inspectors. This service will provide the latest Tech Updates well before they are published in the WKA's Karting Scene magazine. In addition, the service will distribute tech tips and provide an information exchange.

For those interested in scheduling a seminar, contact WKA Technical Director, Dan Stowell at dan@worldkarting.com.

These seminars are open to all WKA members in good standing. To register for a seminar, contact Marie Borsuk with the WKA Headquarters at marie@worldkarting.com or 704.455.1606 ext 11. The cost of the seminar and certification examination is $125. The registration fee must be paid in advance.

Members who wish to become certified as WKA Technical Inspectors will take the SFI/WKA Certification Examination at the conclusion of each seminar. Those passing the open book examination will receive a 2-year WKA/SFI Technical Inspector certification. (Those not passing the examination will have one additional opportunity to take the test.) Based on their technical inspector experience, those who pass the exam will be assigned a certification level.

Level 3 - Certified to lead technical inspection at WKA national, divisional and local events
Level 2 - Certified to lead technical inspection at WKA divisional and local events
Level 1 - Certified to lead technical inspection at WKA local events

WKA/SFI Technical Inspectors are certified for two years. Those inspectors who received their certification in 2007 must attend a seminar and take the examination again in 2009.

Inspectors who are certified at Level 1 and Level 2 may apply to move up a level at any time. To move from Level 1 to Level 2, inspectors must have some technical inspection experience. They must also attend at least two Divisional or National events and demonstrate their skills by completing a full engine technical inspection under the supervision of a current Level 2 or 3 Inspector. They must also demonstrate their ability to deal with competitors and show their knowledge of the protest and appeal process.

Level 2 Technical Inspectors can also apply to move up to a Level 3 at any time. To move from Level 2 to Level 3, inspectors must have extensive technical inspection experience at Level 2. They must attend at least two National events and demonstrate their skills under the supervision of a Level 3 Inspector. They must also demonstrate their ability to deal with competitors and show their knowledge of the protest and appeal process.

It is important to note that the use of WKA/SFI Certified Technical Inspector credentials is limited to WKA sanctioned events and WKA Master Tracks only. Although WKA/SFI certified inspectors may work at non-sanctioned events, they may not use their credentials or their affiliation with WKA as part of their work at the non-sanctioned event. Promotion or use of the WKA/SFI certification at non-WKA sanctioned event may result in the loss of certification.