THSCC Forums

Carl - please separate this into 2 separate rule discussions:

1: Cars maintaining a stock external appearance (benefit - the series)
2: Reducing the potential for occupant injury (benefit - occupant saftety)

Let's not confuse the issues here. I will vote "for" #1. Some of the wording in Anders' post looks good. My vote for #2 depends on how it's written.

Now is there really some external panel modification SAFETY risk like you implied in your original post? I don't get it.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Oops. Yes, most of my rule cut-n-pastes addressed the "anywhere on their exterior surfaces" section of Carl's comment, even though most of the rest of the thread dealt with interior issues.

Apologies for going slightly off topic there.

Anders

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Lina Racing: As Seen On Radio

After chatting with anders,carl, and amy over beers last night and reading some of the stuff on here, I now also agree with mikey


I would vote for that as a rule


I would let this be handled by tech instead of a rule.

-Tom

There already are two discussions here. This one is about safety, the other one (Running Stripped And Gutted Cars or whatever) is about appearance. I am separating the discussions by issue (safety vs appearance), you are separating them by location (interior vs exterior). I see merit to your division, but also to mine. Let's talk about appearance issues in the other thread.


Sharp edges are a hazard anywhere, inside or outside, aren't they? If I cut my fenders and leave sharp edges pointing out, that's a hazard. If I cut my fenders and roll the edges under, it's not. Removing a trunk lid, for example, is not likely to expose any sharp edges. Removing a hood or fenders might, depending on the car. Even if sharp edges were exposed on the vehicle exterior, they should not be too hard to fix, as has been noted earlier.

Now I don't understand what "let tech handle it instead of a rule" means. If tech finds a loose battery or a bad tie rod and the car can't be made safe in time to compete, then it won't be allowed to run, right? In effect, there is a rule that batteries must be secure and steering and brakes must pass a cursory inspection. I see that our rules don't mention them, though. Would you object to having those tech items added to the rules? If so, why? If not, then what's the issue? Please explain.

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Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4651531

Thanks to Anders for finding that material.

I'm wholeheartedly in support of the body panels rule (appearance and safety aspects of it.)

As for the interior, I'm as confused as Carl on why making it something dealt with in tech is fundamentally any different than an official rule? Techs enforce rules do they not?

Exterior sharp edges: Should really be covered by the body panels bit, safety aspect.

I guess that tech does enforce rules, but if they see something that is within the rules but unsafe, can they not say "hey, fix that razor that is ducktaped to your steering wheel before we let you run" ?

I know it would make tech be more of a difficult job, but could you make them decide whether the interior was "safe" or not while they are looking the car over??

-Tom

In the interests of clarity for everyone, how about we publish the list of things we check at a rallycross tech inspection? That would give people a checklist, and an opportunity to avoid unpleasant surprises on event day.

I would like to include on that list an item to the effect of, "The interior and exterior of the vehicle must be free of exposed sharp edges anywhere within reach of a bystander or seated occupant." I am open to adjusting the wording if anyone sees an issue.

Unwritten would be the facts that this judgement, like all other tech items, are ultimately up to the tech inspector, and also that most "problem areas" could be suitably treated with a couple layers of duct tape.

How's that sound?

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Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4651531

Thats *exactly* what I was trying to say

-Tom