Open top ROPS in standard class autotests/sprints
Discussion
Can someone please clarify whether you can (or rather, should be able to) fit a roll bar to an open top car with no factory ROPS, that is otherwise factory standard, without being booted out of the standard class and in with the modified classes?
My MX5 is standard and as such will be competing in the standard class of my local autotest championship, however after requesting the matter be discussed, the club committee has ruled that the addition of anything over an OEM two point roll bar counts as a modification and puts it up a class. This seems unfair (as a two point does not really offer any significant rollover protection), as I understood it the blue book permits and recommends ROPS to be added in the absence of any, and does not specify a class penalty.
I am not clear on the regulations, but it sounds like the clubs SRs are effectively over-ruling a blue book safety allowance? Is this correct?
My MX5 is standard and as such will be competing in the standard class of my local autotest championship, however after requesting the matter be discussed, the club committee has ruled that the addition of anything over an OEM two point roll bar counts as a modification and puts it up a class. This seems unfair (as a two point does not really offer any significant rollover protection), as I understood it the blue book permits and recommends ROPS to be added in the absence of any, and does not specify a class penalty.
I am not clear on the regulations, but it sounds like the clubs SRs are effectively over-ruling a blue book safety allowance? Is this correct?
Edited by Kozy on Wednesday 30th January 13:40
For sprints there is no such thing as a standard category in the blue book, so any "standard vehicle" class would run as a class or classes within the appropriate roadgoing category. There is nothing to stop organisers defining class splits within a category by any means they wish as long as vehicles all comply with the relevant category regulations.
For autotests the blue book does not define classes at all, so the organisers are free to divide the entry however they like.
So, in both disciplines there is nothing to stop event organisers creating a "standard" class and not allowing vehicles fitted with ROPS in that class.
For autotests the blue book does not define classes at all, so the organisers are free to divide the entry however they like.
So, in both disciplines there is nothing to stop event organisers creating a "standard" class and not allowing vehicles fitted with ROPS in that class.
Yep, that much has become clear after further discussion with the club.
The focus has changed towards redefining the class splits as although we have 'standard' classes, the regs are so strict that no-one competes in them. Effectively, we have 3 classes, one for minis, one for specials and one for anyone not in a mini or a special. That class is about 35 strong and ranges from a boggo spec hatchback with a backbox to relatively expensive stripped out, slick tyred, supercharged machines built solely for the purpose of going fast.
At present, it seems unfair that 'any' modification puts you in the same class as the above, however the club don't seem very interested in changing it.
The focus has changed towards redefining the class splits as although we have 'standard' classes, the regs are so strict that no-one competes in them. Effectively, we have 3 classes, one for minis, one for specials and one for anyone not in a mini or a special. That class is about 35 strong and ranges from a boggo spec hatchback with a backbox to relatively expensive stripped out, slick tyred, supercharged machines built solely for the purpose of going fast.
At present, it seems unfair that 'any' modification puts you in the same class as the above, however the club don't seem very interested in changing it.
35 contenders in one class in a club autotest championship is huge! My entire region has about half that registered for its regional championship in total across all classes.
Good thing is that you're approaching the club with a view to getting the regulations changed, even if progress is elusive - too many people just grumble in the paddock but don't take any action to try to get things changed (a long standing moan of mine).
Good thing is that you're approaching the club with a view to getting the regulations changed, even if progress is elusive - too many people just grumble in the paddock but don't take any action to try to get things changed (a long standing moan of mine).
onomatopoeia said:
35 contenders in one class in a club autotest championship is huge! My entire region has about half that registered for its regional championship in total across all classes.
Good thing is that you're approaching the club with a view to getting the regulations changed, even if progress is elusive - too many people just grumble in the paddock but don't take any action to try to get things changed (a long standing moan of mine).
Yes, that is an issue I am coming up against. The powers that be are very much of the opinion that "No-one else has complained before, thus it is fine the way it is". Time to shake things up for the better I feel. Good thing is that you're approaching the club with a view to getting the regulations changed, even if progress is elusive - too many people just grumble in the paddock but don't take any action to try to get things changed (a long standing moan of mine).
Currently we have about 50 entries yet it's the same few faces every year winning all the trophies.
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