fuel tank - scrutineering

[The yob]

hi all

im after some advice - im getting my car ready for the new season and am worried about the regs for fuel tank mounting ! can anyone advise me of this ?
my fuel tank on my car is located at the front but due to room problems its sat half inside the frame and half out !, obviously with the flip front on its covered.
(please see below pic)
will it pass at a msa meet ?

thanks for your time

[obsession]

On our car, we have a main hoop in front of the cell that protects the tank in the event of (touch wood it never happens) an accident, which is part of the chassis, mounted off the main rails. Most if not all modern chassis with front mounted cells are now built this way. Obviously if you were to experience an accident as it is mounted at the moment, by the looks of it, only the body would protect the fuel cell, and we all know what happens to bodies especially fibreglass ones, they just disintegrate.

I don't think as it is mounted at the moment it would pass tech. Do you have a copy of the rule book, as there are technical guidlines in there that cover this sort of thing. If all else fails, it may be worth talking to the tech guys - Mark Norton, Graham Motler etc..I am assuming that you will be talking to them for chassis certification anyway? or try one of the chassis builders, they are extremely helpful, and would be able to give you the correct advice.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

[The yob]

[quote=obsession]On our car, we have a main hoop in front of the cell that protects the tank in the event of (touch wood it never happens) an accident, which is part of the chassis, mounted off the main rails. Most if not all modern chassis with front mounted cells are now built this way. Obviously if you were to experience an accident as it is mounted at the moment, by the looks of it, only the body would protect the fuel cell, and we all know what happens to bodies especially fibreglass ones, they just disintegrate.

I don't think as it is mounted at the moment it would pass tech. Do you have a copy of the rule book, as there are technical guidlines in there that cover this sort of thing. If all else fails, it may be worth talking to the tech guys - Mark Norton, Graham Motler etc..I am assuming that you will be talking to them for chassis certification anyway? or try one of the chassis builders, they are extremely helpful, and would be able to give you the correct advice.

Hope this helps, and good luck.



Hi

thanks for the reply - I had my chassis tagged last week but forgot to ask the question about the fuel tank ! - Im waiting for the rule book to arrive. I think its time to hire a tube bender and get the old tig welder out

Thanks for the advise

[obsession]

Did the tech guys not pick up on it at all? I would still talk to them again, and maybe ask one of the chassis builders just to be safe.

Heres a pic of ours:

Main hoop around the top, then bars dropping down from the hoop to the main rails.

[The yob]

no it wasnt picked up - its been tagged to 8.50, it needs 2 bars for 7.50 so i was happy about that
Knowing my luck id get to the track to be told i cant run! so best i just sort it i think

[fester426]

I would put one in ,better safe than sorry,by that i mean at least they will let you run,,lets face it any sort of frontal impact will probably rupture the tank anyway,but at least you will be able to run!!.....bill

Edited by fester426 on Tuesday 2nd February 20:17

[jumpingdoghouse]

The rule book states something along the lines of where a fuel cell/tank protrudes out side the chassis rail then a 'nerf bar' or other similar device should be used as protection. If Fester was'nt so old and senile he would remember that this had to be done to Stripteaser It is not something that would be checked at the time of tagging ,but certainly by our ever vigilante scrutineers and tech crew when they check out your car at the track.
The bottom line is its in the rules so the best thing is do it now or be dissappointed when there will be a refusal to allow you to race

[fester426]

Hi andy,yep forgot about that,jist of it is put one on because its not worth all the grief when they send you home because you havnt got one!Thanks again for moving our lorry,,,,,,,,,,,,,bill

[jumpingdoghouse]

No worries !! by the way wheres my suit???

[dont know]

Mr Yob Sorry mate this does not comply with the rules you need extra protection bars.

I might be a scrutineer you never know

By The way you will need a MSA Log Book issuing for you car before you do an MSA event. The scrutineer doing this has to fill in details of the fuel tank and its protection so it will get noticed.

Edited by dont know on Wednesday 3rd February 18:08

[The yob]

Thanks for all the advice ! I've had chassis tagged - applied for national b lice, how do I get a msa log book? This msa stuff is all new to me!!!!

[dont know]

MSA Log books can be done on the day at Pod or Scr we need a photo of the car 3/4 front view with wheels on etc log books now cost £32, detailing engine, fuel cell/tank roll, over structure fire extinguisher system,drivers seat,and seat belt details, etc it is then sent off to the MSA who authorise it and return it to you.

[terenceb]

Yob,I assume your engine to be hard mounted? that being the case and as you have some work to do anyway,is there a way you could rubber mount the tank to isolate the vibrations?,Ally tank are not vibe friendly.

[The yob]

terenceb said:

Yob,I assume your engine to be hard mounted? that being the case and as you have some work to do anyway,is there a way you could rubber mount the tank to isolate the vibrations?,Ally tank are not vibe friendly.

The trouble with little ford pops - room is the issue ! - the current tank will not fit with a safety bar! - im going to have a new tank made and also sort the safety bar