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There are a number of items in the July Fastrack for Prepared.

Check them out at http://scca.com/documents/Fastrack/08/08-fastrack-july-solo.pdf

 Be sure and look at the tech bulletins also.

Send your comments to seb@scca.com
 

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Steve Hudson
DP Miata

Just so we can debate ad infinitum here at the Internet Protest Committee, here's the tech bulletins from this month's FT.

 13. Prepared: Change 17.6.C to read as follows (changes in italics): “Addition, replacement, or modification of Anti-lock Braking Systems is prohibited. The standard system may be removed in its entirety or disabled electrically in a manner not readily accessible while driving, but not altered in any other way. Sensors, control & proportioning valves, computers, and master cylinders are considered part of the ABS system and should be not altered nor relocated. Pedals, calipers, rotors, and brake lines can be replaced or modified.” (ref. 08-237)

14. Prepared: Change 17.2.T to read: “All headlights, front parking lights, and front signal lights may be removed. Headlight doors may be removed, replaced or modified. Any remaining openings shall be covered with a wire mesh screen or panel of fiberglass, plexiglass, metal, or other nonflammable material. Ducts from headlights, headlight doors, front parking lights, and front signal lights in the front of the car may be used for ducting air to the engine, front brakes, and/or oil cooler(s). Any opening used for ducting may not be relocated. These ducts may pass through interior panels for this purpose. The cross section area of a single duct shall not exceed the cross sectional area of the original (single) headlight.”

15. Prepared: Per the PAC, 17.8.B.4 is clarified to read as follows: “The manufacturer’s original basic type of rear suspension (e.g. independent, live axle, MacPherson strut, A-arm, etc.) shall be retained, unless otherwise stated in Appendix A. Rocker arms and push-pull rods may be used to augment the rear suspension members.” (ref. 08-052)
 

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Aut tace aut loquere meliora silentio.

Regarding 13...

First of all,  this statement seems to contradict inself.   You can disable it electrically, but you can't remove the computer???   Secondly, since I have an open cockpit car, and the computer is in the cockpit, I had to remove it.   It would be a electrical hazard, and obviously would short out...therefore "Modifying" it.   Put it somewhere waterproof?   Then I have relocated it.   Sorry bad rule.  Why is it even there with this wording?   What was wrong with the old wording??

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Tracy Ramsey
Team Blenderblaster
2000 MR2 DP Spyder

A member asked for clarification on what brake system components could be modified or replaced with an ABS system.  The last two sentences were added to the rule to clarify what constitutes the parts of the ABS system that can't be changed.

"Sensors, control & proportioning valves, computers, and master cylinders are considered part of the ABS system and should be not altered nor relocated. Pedals, calipers, rotors, and brake lines can be replaced or modified."

If you are still using the ABS, put the computer in a waterproof container.  Or write a letter and ask for a rule change!
 

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Steve Hudson
DP Miata

Steve didn't identify me, but I asked for the ABS clarification because the current wording has some ambiguity when paired with the rest of the Prepared rules. I asked them to tell me where the "Standard Anti-lock Braking System" boundaries were so I could decide whether I wanted to incorporate ABS in my D-Prepared Miata.

Current Rule:

17.6 BRAKES
C. Addition, replacement, or modification of Anti-lock Braking
Systems is prohibited. The standard system may be removed in
its entirety or disabled electrically in a manner not readily accessible
while driving, but not altered in any other way.

 I'd like to see some wording along with this proposal that allows for other minor Prepared allowances, like brackets, holes through firewall for electrical or plumbing, and other components that allow us to keep our ABS, but still take advantage of other Prepared allowances.

Along those lines, I think the "relocated" portion of the rule is out of place, particularly since "brake lines can be replaced or modified". I'd hope that as long as the plumbing follows the same circuits and the system worked as designed, we could relocate the required components.

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Aut tace aut loquere meliora silentio.

Tracy,

    It says you can remove the full system....

Tom

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Tom Holt
FP199 280Z

tholt29:

Tracy,

    It says you can remove the full system....

Tom

 

...yeah....that is alot of work on a Spyder, as it probably is with any car I'm sure....new brake lines, new proportioning valve, etc.   I guess it is time for me to learn how to do brake lines (and add 20 more lbs to the car in ballast).   Personally, I will be writing the SEB and recommending that removing the computer is allowed.   

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Tracy Ramsey
Team Blenderblaster
2000 MR2 DP Spyder

Zauskycop:

tholt29:

Tracy,

    It says you can remove the full system....

Tom

...yeah....that is alot of work on a Spyder, as it probably is with any car I'm sure....new brake lines, new proportioning valve, etc.   I guess it is time for me to learn how to do brake lines (and add 20 more lbs to the car in ballast).   Personally, I will be writing the SEB and recommending that removing the computer is allowed.   

Is an ABS system still an ABS system if the computer and pumps are removed? As long as it's not an ABS system it seems like you can do whatever you want. Bridge the ABS solenoid tubing and add a proportioning valve.

This is Prepared. Not Street Prepared. Be willing to do some work if it's required. Lots of P cars have brake systems with no stock components.

FWIW, I was hoping to combine pieces of 2001+ Miata ABS components with '90 and '94 OEM rotors and calipers and Willwood pedals, dual master cylinders and bias bar. This rule ends that, but I may still be able to put a reasonable ABS system with this rule as written. I will be requesting that the "relocate" portion of the proposal be deleted.
 

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Aut tace aut loquere meliora silentio.

Zauskycop:

tholt29:

Tracy,

    It says you can remove the full system....

Tom

 

...yeah....that is alot of work on a Spyder, as it probably is with any car I'm sure....new brake lines, new proportioning valve, etc.   I guess it is time for me to learn how to do brake lines (and add 20 more lbs to the car in ballast).   Personally, I will be writing the SEB and recommending that removing the computer is allowed.   

 

I think that removing the computer is a perfectly reasonable method of disabling the ABS via an 'electrical' method, so I don't think there would be any problem with leaving the rest of the system in place.  With no computer, it is not an ABS brake system, therefore everything else reverts back to normal brake allowances.  I would also think that a stock ABS module (the hydraulic part) with no wires connected to it fits the definition of a proportioning valve and woudl be allowed to be retained. 

I'm sure that what they are trying to avoid is people getting custom programmed ABS/stability control systems in prepared, which could be a huge advantage and would raise costs, etc.  To avoid this, we either outlaw ABS alltogether, or limit it to stock control parts.  Allowances to relocate the computer to protect it from weather may have been overlooked, but I also find it hard to belive that a cover couldn't be made to protect one regardless of where it is located.

-Chris 

     

Chris Raglin:

...Allowances to relocate the computer to protect it from weather may have been overlooked, but I also find it hard to belive that a cover couldn't be made to protect one regardless of where it is located.

-Chris

There are other reasons to relocate components. To make more room in the engine bay, or to tub inner fenders, or to run exhaust-fuel-electrical through the firewall where the components are located. Protection from hot engine components and weather, water, or rock spray is a real concern.

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Aut tace aut loquere meliora silentio.

Zauskycop:

...yeah....that is alot of work on a Spyder, as it probably is with any car I'm sure....new brake lines, new proportioning valve, etc.   I guess it is time for me to learn how to do brake lines (and add 20 more lbs to the car in ballast).   Personally, I will be writing the SEB and recommending that removing the computer is allowed.   

Tracy,

Something you should consider is that what was issued is a Technical Bulletin, not a Rules Proposal - and is effective immediately.   So, you need to decide whether you want to request a clarification of the clarification, or want to propose a rules change, which might not be doable until 2010, since I think we 're past the deadline for publishing '09 change proposals (although I may be wrong about that).

 -Steve

 

p.s.  My completely unofficial opinion is that removal of the ABS computer would be in violation of the current rules.  You may wish to focus on minor relocation, not affecting the function of the computer or other ABS components.  I can't say for certain that approach will be deemed in compliance with the rules, but it seems like a more reasonable approach to me.

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Steve Garnjobst
#75 XP
'99 Mazda Mutant

Relocation is not allowed.   Modification is not allowed.   I can put it in a waterproof box but THAT, (yes a weinie protest) is modification, and probably relocation (even if it is just 1/4 inch).   It seems that this rule should have been thought through more.   Basically, you have outlawed my car until I fix it.   Thanks.  

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Tracy Ramsey
Team Blenderblaster
2000 MR2 DP Spyder

Tracy,

The "relocation" verbiage was not previously in the rulebook, so technically this probably should have been a proposal. The technical bulletin was intended to be a clarification of the current interpretation of the current rule. Write a letter and explain how this has affected a car that had been considered fully legal for years... It can probably be reevaluated...

Tom

... just my opinion not necessarily that of anyone official.

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Tom Holt
FP199 280Z