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Hillclimbing and Sprinting in Scotland
Pre-Season 2014
SCOTTISH SPRINT & HILLCLIMB
CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE
GENERAL EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
Chairman: Steve Marr, 141 Jesmond Avenue, Bridge of Don, Aber-
deen AB22 8UG Tel 001224 706295. [email protected]
Vice-Chairman: Graeme Bremner, Tigh-an-Iasgair, Ackergill, Wick
KW1 4RG 07770 396265. [email protected]
Secretary: Leslie-Ann Scoular, Triquerta, 15 Bonnyside Road,
Bonnybridge FK4 2AD. Tel 01324 812395.
Treasurer: Gus Carnegie, Pentlands, Urquhart Brae, Carrbridge, In-vernesshire PH23 3AZ Tel: 01479 841749.
Sprint Championship Co-ordinator: Iain Scoular, Triquerta,
15 Bonnyside Road, Bonnybridge FK4 2AD. Tel 01324 812395.
Hillclimb Championship Co-ordinator: Ian C Thompson,
Easter Woodlands, Dalcross, Inverness IV2 7JE Tel 07753 488568.
Club Representatives:
Aberdeen & DMC: Roy Napier:
Caithness CC: Roy Munro: [email protected]
East Ayrshire CC: Russell Fair: [email protected]
Grampian AC: Trevor Park: [email protected]
Lothian CC: Tim Thomson: [email protected]
Machars CC: Robin Christie: airlour@btinternet
Monklands SCC: Colin McLatchie: [email protected]
Scottish Sporting CC: Stephen Alexander: [email protected]
Competitor representatives:
Jonathan Rarity ( Hills): [email protected]
David Reid (Sprints): [email protected]
Eligibility Scrutineer: Rob McKinna: [email protected]
FINTRAY REACHES HALF CENTURY Although it is hard to believe, the hillclimb course at Fintray will cele-brate its Golden Jubilee in 2014. The picturesque venue opened in 1964 and competitions were organised by Aberdeen & District Motor Club until 1995 when Grampian Automobile Club took over the ad-ministration. Some GAC members have made suggestions to mark the occasion and if or when any of these reach fruition we will be happy to pass on details.
Another anniversary arises down in Ayrshire when Kames celebrates thirty years of sprinting. In 1984 the circuit was only 600 metres but the following year this was increased to 810. Since then various rally roads have been added both infield and outfield.
Monklands Sporting Car Club plan to run Production Car Trials on March 2nd, March 30th, 5th October and 2nd November. In addition to the hillclimbs at Forrestburn which are detailed elsewhere in this issue there will be autotests on May 11th and July 27th.The “warm-up” day is April13th with Track Nights on May 21st, June 12th, 8th July and 7th August.
The Guyson championships’ Speed Dance at the Atholl Palace Hotel, Pitlochry on 23rd November was another rousing success with sev-eral innovations being well received. Thanks are due to Lesley Sheri-dan and everyone else who contributed in any way to the occasion.
We understand some of our competitors are planning an outing to a speed hillclimb in Switzerland in 2014 and we trust they will come back with a report and some photographs. There is some spectacular footage on You tube of continental hillclimbs with speeds in excess of 150mph!
Over the next twelve months East Ayrshire Car Club hope to increase the cafeteria area at Kames by around 300%. A recent work day resulted in members demolishing interior walls in what once was the residential side of the building. The kitchen area is to be moved back under the “lean-to” which should allow more tables for diners and for coaching sessions.
With the junior rally movement proving such a success East Ayrshire Car Club have set out to encourage under-age enthusiasts even fur-ther by opening the Kames track for tuition by parents, etc. Obviously various safeguards are in place, but early feedback has been encour-aging. Hopefully, our branch of the sport will benefit from any talented young blood which emerges.
Lothian Car Club have integrated their annual Prizegiving with that of the PR Highland Speed Championship and the MJ Engineering Low-land Speed Championship. The function will be held in Stirling on March 22nd and full details are shown on Page 6. Dinner-dances for individual clubs have proved more problematic economically with each passing year and it makes sense for such functions to be amal-gamated.
Hopefully our production problems at Speedsport Scotland are behind us and we will try to get regular issues out to readers in 2014. The plan is to close each issue every fourth week or so but it still takes time to include the final event then send the content to Ian Thompson for his Northern input before it all goes to our IT specialists for distri-bution. Unfortunately we will always be a few weeks behind the times
but that cannot be avoided. We again invite reports from competitors, officials and spectators to provide background “colour” from events.
CLUB CONTACTS
Aberdeen & DMC: Janet Dickson 07949 425195
Caithness CC: Jennifer Bremner 0782 433 6468
East Ayrshire CC: Janet Garner 07982 727444
Grampian AC: Peggy Fraser 01467 621 076
Machars CC: Roger Anderson 01988 403 287
or Gavin Campbell: [email protected] Lothian CC: Billy Cater 01555 750 197
Monklands SCC: Marion Hopkins 01236 842 388
Scottish Sporting CC: Alistair Reid 01236 720819
Wigton MC: Graeme Forrester 01900 825642
Views expressed in Speedsport Scotland are not necessarily
those of the Scottish Sprint & Hillclimb Committee.
Speedsport Scotland is published by
The Scottish Sprint and Hillclimb
Championship Committee EDITOR: ROBERT SMITH, 25 BALLOCHMYLE VIEW, CATRINE,
AYRSHIRE KA5 6EN Tel 01290 550897
E-mail: [email protected]
PRE-SEASON ISSUE 2014
Front Cover:
The 2013 Guyson Scottish Hillclimb Champion
Jonathan Rarity at Doune, June 2013
Prints from most speed events are available from
our regular photographers
Ian Thompson ( Thompson Photographic)
Tel 01667 462569
Bill Henderson Tel 01324 622671
Steve Wilkinson Tel 01704 225267
Dave Carlin: [email protected]
Speedsport Scotland 2014/1 Page 3
SHC Guyson Scottish Hillclimb Championship
SSprintC Guyson Scottish Sprint Championship
SSpeedC Guyson Scottish Speed Championship
BHC British Hillclimb Championship
BSC British Sprint Championship
STRC Scottish Tarmac Rally Championship
HSC Highland Speed Championship
LSC Lowland Speed Championship
CBSC Cross Border Speed Championship. (Wigton MC)
SRC Scottish Rally Championship
MSC Midland Speed Championship
February 22 Snowman Rally SRC Inverness
March 22 Border Counties Rally SRC Jedburgh
March 22 Castle Combe BSC Bristol MC
April 5 DCC Stages STRC Dunfermline CC
April 6 Knockhill Race Meeting SMRC
April 12 Kames SSprintC East Ayrshire CC
April 13 Kames SSprintC/CBSC/LSC East Ayrshire CC
April 19 Doune SHC/SSpeedC/HSC Lothian CC
April 20 Doune SHC/SSpeedC/HSC/LSC Lothian CC
April 21 Croft Sprint BSC Darlington & DMC
April 26 Granite City Rally SRC Aberdeen
April 26/27 Prescott BHC Bugatti Owners Club
May 4 Knockhill Race Meeting SMRC
May 10 Lydden Hill Sprint BSC TWMC
May 10 Barbon Manor Hillclimb BHC Liverpool MC
May 11 Knockhill Rallycross B Rx C/shp
May 11 Harewood BHC BARC Yorkshire
May 17 Kames SSprintC/LSC/MSC Scottish Sporting CC
May 18 Kames SSprintC/SSpeedC/LSC/MSC Machars CC
May 17 Snetterton Sprint BSC Borough 19 MC
May 18 Snetterton Sprint BSC Borough 19 MC
May 18 Scammonden Hillclimb CBSC MGCC
May 24/25 Gurston Down BHC BARC South West
May 24 Fintray SHC/SSpeedC/HSC Grampian AC
May 25 Fintray SHC/HSC Grampian AC
May 26 Teeside Sprint CBSC YMC
May 31 Pembrey BSC BARC (Wales)
May 31 Jim Clark Reivers Rally STRC Duns
June 1 Jim Clark Reivers Rally SRC Duns
June 1 Pembrey BSC BARC (Wales)
June 7 Golspie SSprintC/HSC Caithness CC
June 8 Golspie SSprintC/SSpeedC/HSC Caithness CC
June 7 Anglesey Sprint BSC Chester MC
June 8 Anglesey Sprint BSC Chester MC
May 31/June 1 Shelsley Walsh BHC Midland AC
June 7/8 Loton Park BHC Hagley & Dist LCC
June 15 Barbon Manor Hillclimb CBSC KL MC
June 14 Crail Summer Stages STRC Glenrothes MSC
June 21/22 Doune BHC/SHC/LSC Lothian CC
June 15 Knockhill Race Meeting SMRC
June 28 Forrestburn SHC/SSpeedC Monklands SCC
June 29 Forrestburn SHC/LSC/CBSC Monklands SCC
June 28 RSAC Scottish Rally SRC Dumfries
July 5/6 Machrihanish Stages STRC
July 5 Boyndie SSprintC/SSpeedC/HSC Aberdeen & Dist MC
July 6 Boyndie SSprintC/HSC Aberdeen & Dist MC
July 13 Knockhill Race Meeting SMRC
July 6 Harewood BHC BARC Yorkshire
July 13 Alford SSprintC/SSpeedC/HSC Grampian AC
July 13 Knockhill Race Meeting SMRC
July 19 Knockhill Sprint BSC BMSA
July 20 Knockhill Sprint BSC BMSA
July 17 Bouley Bay BHC Jersey MC & LCC
July 19 Val des Terres BHC Guernsey MC & CC
July 26 Kames SSprintC/SSpeedC/LSC East Ayrshire CC
July 27 Kames SSprintC/LSC East Ayrshire CC
July 26/27 Wiscombe Park BHC Woolbridge MC
August 2 Tyneside Stages STRC
August 2 Craigantlet BHC Ulster AC
August 2 Speyside Stages SRC Elgin
August 3 Three Sisters Sprint CBSC Chester MC
August 9 Solway Coast Rally STRC
August 9 Kirkistown Sprint BSC 500MRCI
August 10 Kirkistown Sprint BSC 500MRCI
Speedsport Scotland 2014/1 Page 4
August 17 Knockhill Race Meeting SMRC
August 16 Forrestburn SHC Monklands SCC
August 17 Forrestburn SHC/SSpeedC/LSC Monklands SCC
August 16/17 Shelsley Walsh BHC Midland AC
August 23/24 Knockhill Race Meeting BTCC
August 23 Fintray SHC/HSC Grampian AC
August 24 Fintray SHC/SSpeedC/HSC Grampian AC
August 23/24 Gurston Down BHC BARC South West
Sept 6/7 Prescott BHC Bugatti Owners Club
Sept 6 Anglesey Sprint CBSC MGCC
Sept 7 Anglesey Sprint CBSC MGCC
Sept 6 Merrick Forest Stages SRC Wigtown
Sept 6 Golspie SSprintC/SSpeedC/HSC Caithness CC
Sept 7 Golspie SSprintC/HSC Caithness CC
Sept ? Pendragon Rally STRC Preston
Sept 14 Knockhill Race Meeting SMRC
Sept 20/21 Doune BHC/SHC/LSC Lothian CC
Sept 20 Harewood CBSC BARC
Sept 21 Harewood CBSC BARC
Sept 27 Boyndie SSprintC/HSC Aberdeen & Dist MC
Sept 28 Boyndie SSprintC/HSC Aberdeen & Dist MC
Sept 27/28 Loton Park BHC Hagley & Dist LCC
October 4 Colin McRae Forest Stages SRC Perth
October 4 Anglesey BSC Longton & DMC
October 5 Anglesey BSC Longton & DMC
October 5 Kames CBSC/LSC Wigton MC
October 5 Knockhill Race Meeting SMRC
October 10/12 Tour of Mull STRC
October 26 Galloway Hills Rally Castle Douglas
November 1 Kingdom Stages STRC Glenrothes MSC
November 15 British Sprint Championship Awards Lea Marston Hotel, Sutton Coldfield
November Speed Dance Guyson Awards Pitlochry.
November 30 Rally Championship Awards Glasgow
THESE DATES ARE ALL PROVISIONAL AND SHOULD BE CHECKED AGAINST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION FROM THE
ORGANISING CLUBS
THE MSA STAFF ARE INUNDATED WITH LICENCE
APPLICATIONS AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, SO IT IS
IMPORTANT YOUR COMPETITION LICENCE
APPLICATION IS SENT AWAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE 2014 Brockbank Solicitors
CROSS BORDER SPEED
CHAMPIONSHIP
Venues: Kames, Teessde, Barbon Manor, Three Sisters, Forrestburn, Anglesey, Harewood, Scammonden.
Registration Fee: There is no registration fee but competitors must be members of Wigton Motor Club, membership fee £16.00.
Registration: Competitors wishing to register in the Championships must complete the appropriate official membership form and send it to:
Graeme Forrester, Clints Cottage, Blindcrake, Cockermouth,
Cumbria, CA13 0QP
13th April Kames Sprint East Ayrshire CC
18th May Scammonden Hillclimb MGCC
26th May Teesside Sprint York MC
14th June Barbon Hillclimb KLMC
29th June Forrestburn Hillclimb Monklands SCC
3rd August Three Sisters Sprint Chester MC
6th Sept Anglesey Sprint MGCC
7th Sept Anglesey Sprint MGCC
20th Sept Harewood Hillclimb BARC Yorks
21st Sept Harewood Hillclimb BARC Yorks
6th October Kames Sprint Wigton Motor Club
Closing date for Registrations is 15th June 2014.
Details of scoring system, awards, etc are available on the Wigton Motor Club website.
THE 2014
PR HIGHLAND SPEED
CHAMPIONSHIP
Venues: Fintray, Boyndie, Golspie, Alford, Doune.
Registration Fee: £10.00, Payable to Highland Speed Championship
Registration: Competitors wishing to register in the Championships must be a member of one of the organizing clubs. Competitors must complete the appropriate official membership form and send it to:
Ian Thompson, Easter Woodlands ,Dalcross, Inverness
IV2 7JE
19th April Doune Lothian CC
20th April Doune Lothian CC
24th May Fintray Grampian AC
25th May Fintray Grampian AC
7th June Golspie Littleferry Caithness CC
8th June Golspie Kylestrome Caithness CC
5th July Boyndie Aberdeen & DMC
6th July Boyndie Aberdeen & DMC
13th July Alford Grampian AC
23rd August Fintray Grampian AC
24th August Fintray Grampian AC
6th Sept Golspie Littleferry Caithness CC
7th Sept Golspie Kylestrome Caithness CC
27th Sept Boyndie Aberdeen & DMC
28th Sept Boyndie Aberdeen & DMC
Closing date for Registrations is 1st July 2014.
Details of scoring system, awards, etc are available on the Highland Speed Championship website.
Speedsport Scotland 2014/1 Page 5
Nicola and
Wallace’s Photos by ZIPP Photography.
Steve Wilkinson took the Calder
pics
Speedsport Scotland 2014/1 Page 6
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS AT A GLANCE……
THE CLASSES Other than the Cross Border Speed Championship and the two National series all championships in Scotland split the entry into the following categories. Other than Doune hillclimbs and the Knockhill Sprint doubleheader which run to national specification most events comply with these classes, although some clubs may add additional categories. The other notable exception is the Bo’ness Revival hillclimb wh ich caters for a specialised market.
Division A - Road Cars A1 Saloon Cars up to 1400cc
A2 Saloon Cars over 1400cc and up to 2000cc
A3 Saloon Cars over 2000cc
A4 Sports Cars up to 1400cc
A5 Sports Cars over 1400cc and up to 1700cc
A6 Sports Cars over 1700cc
A7 Classic and Thoroughbred Cars (period defined)
A8 Marque Road Sports Cars
Division B - Modified Cars
B1 Modified Saloon Cars up to 1400cc
B2 Modified Saloon Cars over 1400cc and up to 2000cc
B3 Modified Saloon Cars over 2000cc
B4 Modified Sports Cars up to 1400cc
B5 Modified Sports Cars over 1400cc and up to 1700cc
B6 Modified Sports Cars over 1700cc
Division C - Competition Cars
C0 Saloon Libre
C1 Sports Libre Cars up to 1400cc
C2 Sports Libre Cars over 1400cc and up to 1800cc
C3 Sports Libre Cars over 1800cc
C4 Racing Cars up to 1100cc
C5 Racing Cars over 1100cc and up to 1600cc
C6 Racing Cars over 1600cc
CROSS BORDER SPEED CHAMPIONSHIP
Road Going Production & Road Going Specialist Production Cars (aka Road Legal Car): R1 Saloon and Sports Cars up to 1400c complying with S11
R2 Saloon and Sports Cars over 1400cc and up to 2000cc complying with S11
R3 Saloon and Sports Cars over 2000cc complying with S11
RS1 Road Going Specialist Cars up to 1400cc complying with S11
RS2 Road Going Specialist Cars over 1400cc complying with S11
C1 Classic Cars up to 1500cc build prior to 1975 (using list 1a/1b tyres)
C2 Classic Cars over 1500cc built prior to 1975 (using list 1a/1b tyres)
Modified Limited Production & Modified Specialist Production Cars, (aka Modified Cars): M1 Modified Saloon Cars up to 1400cc
M2 Modified Saloon Cars over 1400cc and under 2000cc
M3 Modified Saloon Cars over 2000cc
M4 Modified Sports Cars up to 1400cc
M5 Modified Sports Cars over 1400cc
Competition Cars: S1 Sports Libre Cars
S1 Racing cars up to 1100cc
S2 Racing Cars over 1100cc
For the British Sprint Championship competitors should look at the website for the British Motor Sprint Association and for the British Hillclimb Championship look at the web pages of the MSA British Hillclimb Championship.
Awards Dinner
The PR Highland Speed
Championship
MJ Engineering Lowland Championship and
Lothian Car Club Dinner Dance & Pres-entation of Awards
Saturday, 22nd March 2014
Golden Lion Hotel, Stirling
Tickets £24.00
Send SAE to
David Baker, The Old House,
Inverebrie, Ellon, AB41 8PX
Cheques should be made payable to
The Lowlands Speed Championship.
Page 5 of this issue is devoted to the Calder and Menzies families who collected trophies for very special achievements at the two award ceremo-nies for the British Hillclimb Championship and the British Sprint Championship. Colin Calder won the Sprint Championship outright with daughter
Heather also being highly placed despite missing several events due to work commitments. Wallace Menzies also had a great season, finishing third overall in the Hillclimb Championship in which his wife Nicola had a share of the silverware.
With Nicola having her roots in the far north and the Calders based in Thurso it was a season to celebrate for Caithness Car Club whose mem-bers have for many years competed successfully at the highest levels of sprinting and hillclimbing, even motor racing. And spare a thought for the effort involved in travelling from the Thurso area to places like Lydden Hill or Pembrey. Not to mention the return journey if no Championship points have been earned. Well done to all concerned.
Speedsport Scotland 2014/1 Page 7
THE 2014 GUYSON SCOTTISH HILLCLIMB
CHAMPIONSHIP
Venues: Doune, Fintray, Forrestburn.
Registration Fee: There is a single registration fee of £20-00, cover-
ing all three Guyson championships. For newcomers, registration is
free.
Registration: Competitors wishing to register in the Guyson Champi-
onships must complete the appropriate official registration form and
send it to:
The Championship Co-ordinator, Ian Thompson, Easter Woodlands,
Dalcross, Inverness IV2 7JE
Acceptance will be at the discretion of the Scottish Sprint and Hillclimb
Championship Executive Committee.
19th April Doune Lothian C.C. 20th April Doune Lothian C.C.
24th May Fintray Grampian A.C.
25th May Fintray Grampian A.C 21st/22nd June Doune Lothian C.C.
28th June Forrestburn Monklands Sporting C.C. 29th June Forrestburn Monklands Sporting CC
16th August Forrestburn Monklands Sporting C.C.
17th August Forrestburn Monklands Sporting C.C.
23rd August Fintray Grampian A.C.
24th August Fintray Grampian A.C.
14th/15th Sept Doune Lothian C.C .C.
Closing date for Registrations is 14th March 2014.
Details of scoring system, awards, etc are available on
www.scottish-sprinting.co.uk
THE 2014 GUYSON SCOTTISH SPRINT
CHAMPIONSHIP
Venues: Alford, Boyndie, Golspie, Kames.
Registration Fee: There is a single registration fee of £20-00, cover-ing all three Guyson championships. For newcomers, registration is free.
Registration: Competitors wishing to register in the Guyson Champi-onships must complete the appropriate official registration form and send it to:
The Championship Co-ordinator, Ian Thompson, Easter Woodlands, Dalcross, Inverness IV2 7JE
Acceptance will be at the discretion of the Scottish Sprint and Hillclimb Championship Executive Committee.
12th April Kames East Ayrshire CC
13th April Kames East Ayrshire CC
17th April Kames Scottish Sporting CC
18th May Kames Machars CC
7th June Golspie Caithness CC
8th June Golspie Caithness CC
5th July Boyndie Aberdeen & DMC
6th July Boyndie Aberdeen & DMC
13th July Alford Grampian AC
26th July Kames East Ayrshire CC
27th July Kames East Ayrshire CC
6th Sept Golspie Caithness CC
7th Sept Golspie Caithness CC
27th Sept Boyndie Aberdeen & DMC
28th Sept Boyndie Aberdeen & DMC
Closing date for Registrations is 14th March 2013.
Details of scoring system, awards, etc are available on
www.scottish-sprinting.co.uk
THE 2014 GUYSON SCOTTISH SPEED
CHAMPIONSHIP
Venues: Alford, Boyndie, Doune, Fintray, Forrestburn, Golspie, Kames.
Registration Fee: There is a single registration fee of £20-00, cover-ing all three Guyson championships. For newcomers, registration is free.
Registration: Competitors wishing to register in the Guyson Champi-onships must complete the appropriate official registration form and send it to:
The Championship Co-ordinator, Ian Thompson, Easter Woodlands,
Dalcross, Inverness IV2 7JE
Acceptance will be at the discretion of the Scottish Sprint and Hillclimb Championship Executive Committee.
26th April Doune Lothian CC
27th April Doune Lothian CC
18th May Kames Machars CC
24th May Fintray Grampian AC
8th June Golspie Caithness CC
28th June Forrestburn Monklands SCC
7th July Boyndie Aberdeen & DMC
13th July Alford Grampian AC
26th July Kames East Ayrshire CC
24th August Fintray Grampian AC
17th August Forrestburn Monklands SCC
6th Sept Golspie Caithness CC
Closing date for Registrations is 14th March 2013.
Details of scoring system, awards, etc. are available on
www.scottish-sprinting.co.uk
THE 2014 MJ ENGINEERING LOWLAND SPEED
CHAMPIONSHIP
Venues: Doune, Forrestburn. Kames.
Registration Fee: £10.00. For newcomers, registration is free.
Registration: Competitors wishing to register in these Championships must complete the appropriate official registration form and send it to David Baker at the following address:
David Baker, The Old House, Inverebrie, Aberdeenshire, AB41
8PX.
13th April Kames East Ayrshire C.C..
20th April Doune Lothian C.C.
17th May Kames Scottish Sporting C.C.
18th May Kames Machars C.C.
21/22nd June Doune Lothian C.C.
29th June Forrestburn Monklands S.C.C.
26th July Kames East Ayrshire C.C.
27th July Kames East Ayrshire C.C.
17th August Forrestburn Monklands S.C.C.
20/21st Sept Doune Lothian C.C.
5th October Kames Wigton M.C.
Closing date for Registrations is 13th April 2013.
Details of scoring system, awards, etc are available on
www.lowlandspeedchampionship.co.uk
Lothian Car Club have introduced an online entry system for the coming season which should benefit Club and competitor alike. Full details can
be obtained from Billy Cater (Tel 01555 750 197) (Email: [email protected])
Speedsport Scotland 2014/1 Page 10
Herewith the annual “newsletter” about rule changes that we need to keep in
mind for 2014. The good news is that there are few changes that affect Speed
events.
For road cars, there is a slight relaxation in the engine rules. For 2014 the engine
block and cylinder head must remain in original location and be externally iden-
tifiable as that fitted to the original model ( or specified option ).
As before, induction and exhaust are free but please remember the fitment of
catalytic convertors if required by the age of the car, ie. manufactured after
31/12/1999, is still mandatory. In any case, the gas test part of the MOT would
not be passed without a cat being present.
Pump fuel is still mandatory but, for Competition Cars only, Methanol is allowed
subject to the individual organising clubs acceptance,--- please check when
entering . Remember that with the exception of road going production cars, all
new build cars should be fitted with a facility for fuel sampling. In the case of fuel
injected engines, a dry break coupling to FIA spec is required.
One area that seems to be causing some problems is that of onboard cameras and their mounting. In particular, we see external
cameras with only a suction type mount. If you are using such a system, you must also have an additional “tether “. In spite of the
assertions by the makers of the mountings, we do see cameras detaching themselves so please take note. Equally, if inboard
cameras are fitted, they too should have a safety line.
The subject of aerofoils continues to be debated in the paddock. The Blue Book is quite clear on this and J 5.2.7 is the part to look
at. Aftermarket aerofoils are not type approved by the car maker so are not allowed. In practice, only the correct pattern of aerofoil
as fitted by the manufacturer for the particular model of car is acceptable. No pick and mix ! For competition cars note the new
max. height of front wings,---must not exceed the top of the wheel rim. Also, for sports/saloon libre cars, front splitters must not
protrude more than 200mm from existing bodywork excluding bumpers which in some cases may mean only minimal protrusion
past the bumper when fitted.
This is a good time to check that external ignition cut off cables are not seized and incapable of operating. Last year, we had odd
instances of oil being released onto the track. Mostly, this was because of either inadequate care in inspecting and emptying the
catch tank or in not having a large enough tank in cars known to “ breathe heavily “. Again, this is a good time to do a thorough
spanner check especially on hard to reach fasteners.
Where a ROPS is being installed in a road car, please remember that displacement of trim items should be kept to a minimum but
the correct fitment of the ROPS is overriding. Do not add extra pipework to a homologated cage as this will render the homologa-
tion void. However, a “harness bar” can be fitted if appropriate –ask the supplier. Please don’t paint over the makers labels on the
cage and keep all certificates with your other documents.
The annual reminder,---please bring all your documents to all rounds: CCLB, MOT Certificate, Insurance document and Road Tax
Disc where appropriate. I am aware that the government are intending to cease issuing discs but not until October this year I
gather.
We have had a few issues with cars needing to use List1 A or B tyres .There are so many variations on some tyres that it is neces-
sary to be sure that the tyre you want to use is the exact one shown in the Blue Book section L .No real changes as far as per-
sonal gear is concerned. Still 2 accepted suits FIA 8856-2000 and FIA 1986 Standard.
Helmets as last year. Any doubts,- section K 10.3 on covers what is ok. If you have a new helmet and are intending to paint it, be
aware first, not to paint over labels designating the type of helmet and secondly, be sure that the paint you use is not harmful to
the helmet finish. If you are using a HANS device, make sure your helmet is compatible,-- do not drill holes yourself to fit the posts,
ask the manufacturer to do it. They will almost certainly suggest you buy a new helmet! Seat mounts are very important and it is
essential to ensure that there are 4 mounts for the seat frame and 4 mounts for the seat to the frame. Ensure that adequate back-
ing plates are used, we do see instances where seat mounts have been pulled through the floor because of insufficient counter-
plates.
The drawings in section K give guidance. It is not acceptable to use the seat belt as a means of securing the seat and driver!
Again, no changes to seatbelt regs. 3 point lap and diagonal if a road car as a minimum but no 3 point merged shoulder strap ver-
sions. 4 or 5/6 point for modified cars and 5/6 point for competition cars. Again, ensure adequate backing plates on all mountings.
Gloves mandatory and fire resistant underwear and balaclavas, socks and shoes are definitely recommended.
Meantime, keep reading the regs and have a safe, competitive and enjoyable season. If you need help, feel free to contact me.
Rob McKinna
BAY-Pre-season comments and advice
for Speed Events from MSA
Scrutineer Rob McKinna.
