On the topic of car inspections... time-frame?

[tenfifteen]

Haven't received my acceptance yet, but wanted to ask what I hope is not too noob-ish of a question. Asked on other M3/BMW forums, no specific answer.

Basically just want to know if there's a time frame or mileage limit within which the car must be inspected. In other words, if I get my car inspected say, next Thursday (6/26) and drive it 1,000 miles after that, will it still be good for the HSS/DE on 8/2 & 8/3?

I ask because time off work is a bit of a factor for me, and before I go requesting time off, I need to make sure it's not something I could get done on a planned day off (one of which I have coming up soon).

Thanks in advance for any insight here!

[mcoupemindy]

Haven't received my acceptance yet, but wanted to ask what I hope is not too noob-ish of a question. Asked on other M3/BMW forums, no specific answer.

Basically just want to know if there's a time frame or mileage limit within which the car must be inspected. In other words, if I get my car inspected say, next Thursday (6/26) and drive it 1,000 miles after that, will it still be good for the HSS/DE on 8/2 & 8/3?

I ask because time off work is a bit of a factor for me, and before I go requesting time off, I need to make sure it's not something I could get done on a planned day off (one of which I have coming up soon).

Thanks in advance for any insight here!

I'm not sure on the stated guidelines on track inspections, but I would not feel comfortable getting a track inspection more than a month in advance. I prefer to get mine done the week of the event and have little or no mileage before the event.

Basically, you're giving yourself a month and 1,000 miles for more things to wear out on the car without being reevaluated.

That's my well depreciated $.02. Take it as you will.

[jhm5]

I don't believe there's a firm rule on the inspection timing... soon before the event. You want them close, but NOT too close. You have to allow time for a shop to order parts and do any work required. Also, it's a good idea to drive the car a bit after any repairs or new setups to make sure there are no problems. A couple weeks before driving event would seem ideal, but I don't think a thousand street miles would be a problem, given that there's a quick on scene track inspection to catch obvious problems. Certainly you'll do basics, like check tire pressures, lug torque and fluids yourself at the track.

[tenfifteen]

Thanks to both of you. I should be able to get my M3 done pretty close (taking an extra day off after Lime Rock ALMS, w00t), and my commute to the train station is 10mi per day. My wife's Cooper may be another story; since her commute is 80mi/day, even two weeks out is going to be 800 miles on the car. It's an '08 though so I don't know how bad it could be. I dunno... she may not come anyway, but she's registered in case she decides to do it. I'll work something out, I'm sure.