I've seen what can happen without a functioning parking brake (and brakes for that matter):
1) Make attempt at hill
2) Stall out
3) Put foot on brake, no brakes, pull on e-brake, no brake there either
4) Roll backwards with no control on speed
5) See nice white 40 behind you. Make a choice, 40 or tree. Choose tree.
6) Crush rear door and hard top.
I was the guy with the 40. He hit the tree I was standing next to. I don't think he enjoyed the rest of the event that year.
The safety checks that are performed are for both your safety as well as the safety of those around you. As we are a sanctioned TLCA event, and have purchased insurance through the TLCA for our event, we are required to perform the inspections in accordance with TLCA guidelines.
So to answer your question, we expect that your vehicle would have some sort of functioning emergency brake (conventional, line locks, etc.).