Ok, Im headin up to an NHRA sanctioned track in a couple weeks to try and get a baseline. But I'm worried about passing tech inspection. My windows are tinted, my seat driver side seat belt retractor is broken (making the seat belt basically useless) and the rear hatch is bungeed down because the latch and pulldown motor assembly are fubar. Other than that the car is mechanically sound and has no leaks. What do You guys think???

I doubt it would pass.

The seat belt is a biggie so I'd say no just on that.

Do I have to tear up my headliner to get to the retractor?

And do they actually look at the seatbelts?

From my experience, each inspector is different. There isn't one set of objectives that all tech inspectors "adhere to" at each track. Where I run, a car could easily pass tech at one track but not the other. If you are getting a car certified (which it doesn't sound like you are) it becomes more rigorous. As stated above, fix the seat belt issue. You do not have to remove the headliner. At the rear of the headliner, remove the trim piece that spans the car from side to side. The plastic piece that surrounds the belt as it goes into the retractor will "snap away" from the headliner. You can carefully pull the headliner down in the back and look at the retractor-it bolts to a support attached to the roof skin. It is held by a single bolt that can be reached by going up along side the belt. Once unbolted, the retractor will slide out the back as the headliner is notched for its removal. Good luck at the track.

yes yes yes.. fix your seatbelt. If not to pass tech, then atleast do it for yourself. Also make sure your battery is secure.

Tech is always a hit or miss sometimes they will look it over a good one while other times they wont hardly give it a second glance. You really should fix the seatbelt though for yourself mainly! You never know what can happin since you have more then just yourself to worry about the car in the other lane is going full throttle as well. Better to be safe then sorry!

One thing is for sure, the starting line official will see if you have your belt on, before you do your burnout. If its not on, he will tell you to buckle up.

Since you can not have a bungee cord holding the battery down, it is my thinking that the hatch is no different. They probably will not allow a car to run like that. I've seen parts come off cars all the time at the track. If its really secured, they might let it go.

Usually, a 13.99 car, and slower. Some tracks have their own rules, that may/may not be in the rulebook.

1) Seatbelts

2) Battery hold down

3) Having all the lugnuts.

4) Helmet.

5) Safety loop, some want em no matter what.