Whose responsibility is it to ensure that the vehicle presented for scrutineering meets eligibility rules?

The responsibility for ensuring that the vehicle presented for scrutineering meets eligibility rules ultimately lies with the competitor, or driver. This is because the competitor is the one who enters the event and is accountable for complying with the specific regulations and eligibility criteria outlined by the governing body, such as MotorSport New Zealand. While other roles, such as the Team Principal or Chief Scrutineer, play important parts in the process—ensuring team compliance and conducting the scrutineering inspection, respectively—it is the competitor who must ensure that the vehicle is prepared and meets all necessary standards before arriving for scrutineering.

The competitor is also responsible for knowing the rules that apply to their class or category of competition. This includes understanding the technical specifications of their vehicle, weight limits, safety requirements, and any modifications allowed. Hence, if a vehicle fails to meet the eligibility requirements during scrutineering, the competitor may face penalties, disqualification, or other repercussions as they are ultimately responsible for the vehicle they present.

In summary, though support systems exist, the competitor must take proactive measures to ensure their vehicle's compliance with all eligibility rules, confirming the correctness of the answer.