Pretty good for a 1st draft. Thanks for the effort.
One potential problem area deals with older and restored cars. They
usually don't have original upholstery or carpets. The rules, as written,
seem to prevent their replacement. When I had to recover the seats on my
RX-7 a couple of years ago, the factory fabric wasn't available. I used
fabric that was actually heavier but different. Does that violate rule L
since the seats can't be modified. Puts me at a real disadvantage since
the fabric had worn through on the side bolster so the foam was coming
out. It was either modified by removing foam or modified by using
different fabric.
On shift knobs, the question here is whether an aftermarket knob is any
real advantage. As long as one uses the factory attachment point, changes
should be allowed. I've never changed mine but I couldn't care whether
someone else changed theirs.
Mirrors - since I now drive a Miata, a popular upgrade is a mirror with
integrated lights. It weighs more but replaces the factory mirror. How
about wording that allows for it. Any replacement mirror must be similar
to the original and use the factory attachment points.
On item K - hub caps must be removed anyway.
On disabled drivers - I have shoulder problems that make it hard to shift
certain model cars - none of which I own. If I did own one of those,
could I modify the shift point to accommodate my disability? My
orthopedic surgeon can document the problems I would have. I'm then
allowed a modification in one car that I couldn't have in another.
I would change the stereo equipment line to be ant electronic equipment
that doesn't control a vehicle function. This would allow cell phones,
permanently mounted radar detectors, CBs, and data acquisition equipment.
Another C&C issue is paint. Add a line "Any paint or painting technique
may be used so long as the process doesn't lighten the car.
glen
==============================
Glen E. Thompson
Regional Executive
Blue Ridge Region SCCA
glen.thompson@worldnet.att.net
www.brr-scca.org
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-autox@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-autox@autox.team.net]On
Behalf Of Arthur Emerson
Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2000 7:55 PM
To: msirota@isc.upenn.edu
Cc: vreihen@hotmail.com; autox@autox.team.net
Subject: RFI: First draft of my proposed C&C re-write
Here it is, my proposed replacement for the current stock-class
rule 13.2.A.
As sent forth from the mountains of Colorado, under the title
"National Solo 2000 Rules" :
13.2 Bodywork
A. Accessories, gauges, indicators, lights and other appearance,
comfort and convenience modifications which have no effect on
performance and/or handling and do not materially reduce the
weight of the car are permitted. This does not allow driver's
seat substitutions. Delayed shutdown devices such as the
"Turbo Timer", which perform no function while the car is
in motion, are permitted. This does permit the installation
of an additional mirror (e.g. a "Wink"), but does not allow
the removal of the original mirror.
Just look at the above. The first sentence was obviously abused
numerous times, and every subsequent sentence is clarifying
creative rules interpretations. While we're at it, we should
probably blast K. as well:
K. Any item that cannot be held permanently in place by
factory installed fasteners may be removed.
[Just this past weekend, I saw a rusty old car running at a
regional event, and the front fenders and doors qualified
for legal removal under the above! Given a big enough
crowbar, *nothing* can be held permanently in place on
*any* car.]
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Here's my proposed changes for the 2001 book:
13.2 Bodywork
A. Accessories, gauges, indicators, lights and other appearance,
comfort and convenience modifications which have no effect on
performance and/or handling and do not materially reduce the
weight of the car are permitted. Examples of these
modifications include the addition of fog lights, pin striping,
stereo equipment, cupholders, and the installation of air
conditioning on a car not originally equipped with it. This
does not allow for changes of any kind to vehicle controls
used while driving on a Solo-II course, including shifter
levers and knobs, pedal covers, driver's seat, or steering
wheel, unless specifically permitted by another paragraph of
section 13.
Control modifications which allow a disabled driver to
operate the vehicle will be permitted, provided that
the disabled driver is competing in the event, they are
appropriate for safe use in a Solo-II event, and are approved
by both the state's vehicle safety inspection program and
the event safety steward. [How about 2-driver cars,
where only one is disabled???]
K. Any item that is listed in the vehicle owner's manual as
being removable, such as cargo covers in hatchbacks, hub
caps, fender skirts, targa and t-tops, may be removed.
Any interior item which cannot be held _safely_ in place
by factory fasteners may be removed.
[New paragraphs]
L. All seats must be original and un-modified.
Cushions may be used for the purpose of..... [Grab the
first three sentences from "SEAT PADDING" on page 247
of Appendix G.]
M. Delayed shutdown devices such as the "Turbo Timer", which
perform no function while the car is in motion, are permitted.
N. The installation of an additional mirror (e.g. a "Wink")
is permitted, provided that the original mirror is not
removed.
O. [This spot reserved for Accusumps in stock class, which
I've been meaning to submit but haven't yet.]
Let the whining begin..... :-)
-Arthur ("Still don't see paint as being required anywhere" edition.)
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