Examination of Vehicles
Examination of Vehicles
Author
Discussion

Daston

Original Poster:

6,117 posts

225 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
Hey guys,

My plan is to do some competative motorsport by 2014 (this gives me time to get some trackdays in and a car sorted). I am thinking of starting off with some club sprints with the idea of working my way up to Time Attack.

The one thing that worries me about the regs is the examination of vehicles where it says the organisors can do the following...

"Seal the car and its components in such a manner as they may choose and require the competitor at their own expense to present the car at any other premises chosen by the Organisers for detailed examination within a specified period and/or remove the car by transporter at no expense to the competitor to an appointed location. The competitor will be advised in writing of the time, date and location of the subsequent testing or eligibility examination.

b.
The overseen stripping of the engine or any required component will be undertaken by the competitor and/or mechanic/technician nominated by the competitor."

Now I can't imagine that being cheap lol. How often does this happen is it only done when a car looks a little dodgy (ie winning by a massive margin) or do they do spot checks?


CDP

8,018 posts

276 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
We get quite a few checks at meetings but not normally internal examinations. I think there was a heads off check once but there was a warning to bring gaskets first.

The only cases I've heard of is where one competitor has complained about another - in which case they have to put up a sum of money to cover costs in the case where the accused has not transgressed.

As you can imagine the costs to competitors and clubs is pretty high so they take this option lightly.

Trev450

6,648 posts

194 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
As above. Internal inspections normally only occur if there is doubt that the engine is as declared and another competitor has lodged a complaint. The sealing of engines is generally restricted to one make series where the engines are all supplied from the same source.

kimducati

398 posts

186 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
CDP said:
The only cases I've heard of is where one competitor has complained about another - in which case they have to put up a sum of money to cover costs in the case where the accused has not transgressed.
The money that has to be put down is only to cover MSA expenses, the costs involved in presenting the car at the designated place (if its not at the track on the day) and stripping / rebuilding fall to the team being investigated, even if theyre 'clean'. Doesn't seem fair, but look on the bright side - you need to have been going fast enough to be getting under someones skin, and that is VERY satisfying. Been there, bought the T shirt................smile

The sealing of engines / other components is to prevent unscrupulous individuals from putting whatever is to be inspected back to correct spec prior to inspection - not the same purpose as sealing in one make or similar championships (but quite possibly the same seals).

Kim

Bertrum

484 posts

245 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
But....sprints and time attack do not have specific engine regs, you can do what you like. smile

So it will never happen in the motorsports you have chosen.

Have fun.

CDP

8,018 posts

276 months

Tuesday 30th October 2012
quotequote all
kimducati said:
CDP said:
The only cases I've heard of is where one competitor has complained about another - in which case they have to put up a sum of money to cover costs in the case where the accused has not transgressed.
The money that has to be put down is only to cover MSA expenses, the costs involved in presenting the car at the designated place (if its not at the track on the day) and stripping / rebuilding fall to the team being investigated, even if theyre 'clean'. Doesn't seem fair, but look on the bright side - you need to have been going fast enough to be getting under someones skin, and that is VERY satisfying. Been there, bought the T shirt................smile

The sealing of engines / other components is to prevent unscrupulous individuals from putting whatever is to be inspected back to correct spec prior to inspection - not the same purpose as sealing in one make or similar championships (but quite possibly the same seals).

Kim
Certainly unfair. The rebuild could knock a competitor out of a championship if funds are genuinely tight.

Do the disclose the accuser and if so does it ever get tit for tat?

onomatopoeia

3,519 posts

239 months

Wednesday 31st October 2012
quotequote all
The regulations on modification of engine internals for sprints and hills are very liberal. There are phrases like "modification of all internal components are free", so there should be no need to take the engine to bits and I have never heard of this happening in over 20 years as a competitor and official. I think I've only ever heard of one eligibility protest in that time as well.

No idea about time attack.

covboy

2,593 posts

196 months

Wednesday 31st October 2012
quotequote all
Classic case I remember from many years ago with the old Formula Atlantic series, when there was some dispute over engines (between the old FVA and BDA - not sure of the details) but involved Chris Meek being protested. To "even things up" Chris arrived at the next round of the Championship with an FVA motor fitted to his car, and proceded to protest the rest of the entries fitted wit BDA Units.

Been so long ago I can't remember the outcome !

CDP

8,018 posts

276 months

Wednesday 31st October 2012
quotequote all
covboy said:
Classic case I remember from many years ago with the old Formula Atlantic series, when there was some dispute over engines (between the old FVA and BDA - not sure of the details) but involved Chris Meek being protested. To "even things up" Chris arrived at the next round of the Championship with an FVA motor fitted to his car, and proceded to protest the rest of the entries fitted wit BDA Units.

Been so long ago I can't remember the outcome !
I bet that was popular.

Startline Al

107 posts

189 months

Thursday 1st November 2012
quotequote all
No engines are sealed-stripped in Time Attack and some of the regs are being simplified for next year.
Details out in the next ten days.
Regards, Alec (TA Clerk)

Daston

Original Poster:

6,117 posts

225 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
Thanks guys

That makes it sound soooo much better!

If all goes to plan I should have a car sorted by next year (got to move house first) and will then start entering some sprints smile

CDP

8,018 posts

276 months

Friday 2nd November 2012
quotequote all
The main reason for examination (as opposed to safety scruitineering) is to ensure everybody is conforming to the rules. A well written set of regulations properly policed can reduce the cost of racing significantly.

Where everything's free it gets very expensive very quickly if you want to compete.