11 replies to this topic

[Mark Franklin]

I'm asking for help to understand an issue that is common with 2000 Miatas. I bought two 2000 donor cars. Both came with fog lights. I've heard that around half of the 2000 Miatas were sold with a dealer-installed option kit where they cut holes in the front bumper, put on a trim ring supplied by Mazda, and bolted the foglight behind the trim ring. I searched the archives and found nothing on this topic.

When I built my car in 2008, I removed the fog lights for safety. As to what to do with the hole, I figured it would not be legal to have these holes supplying fresh air to the brakes and engine area, so I removed the trim rings and covered the holes with smooth plastic, attempting to make the contour conform as closely as possible to the original bumper lines.

At a race in July, a competitor tried to protest me for my fog light covers. Tech advised him that it wasn't worth a protest and were persuaded by him to make a note in my log book saying "fog light coverings not compliant, verify compliance with GCR 9.1.8.c.7 before next event". One other competitor who runs a 2001 told me I should get plugs to insert in the fog light holes. I called Mazda and ordered the 2001 plugs ("there is no such thing for 2000 cars"). They do not fit on my 2000 car, whether or not the trim rings are installed.

The only thing I can find in the GCR section 9.1.8.c.7 that would address this issue is this... "Body repair shall be performed using every reasonable effort to maintain stock body contours, lips, etc. Any body repair modification having as its purpose increased clearance is prohibited." I believe that my original fog light covers were within this guideline.

Is there any consensus on how to deal with this issue?

Thanks,
Mark Franklin

[Mike Collins]

Your fog light covers are fine. Please tell any tech person that gives you static on this to call me personally. Mike Collins 240-476-1593. I will gladly explain to them exactly how to read the GCR and what it means.

[Matthew Wolfe]

Wow Mark. They can’t beet you on track so they are trying to make things up? Sounds like you meet the GCR requirements to me. See you at Miller.

Matt

[Todd Green]

Is there any consensus on how to deal with this issue?

I recommend having an extra (micro-brew, not the 3.2 swill) beer with us at the BBQ on Sat to help relieve the stress. I can't imagine any of our local guys caring. Can't speak for those wound-tight Cali guys coming in though. (I kid, I kid. ) See you this weekend!

[Tyler Dahl]

Okay lets get the facts straight.

I asked Tech after the race if it was legal, you can only protest 1-hour prior to the race so that was not my intent. He said I don't know i'll look it up, he got back to me and said no it isn't. I then asked if anything was going to be done and the tech offical said he wrote it up in the logbook. This same weekend they asked every NA that had a little too much opening between the headlight covers to get there logbook so they could write it up instead of just saying fix it now. My issue was with tech saying something is non-compliant and then just writing in the logbook. If i'm found non-compliant then it should be dealt with and not writing in my logbook. I never tried to file a protest, I just wanted to know if it was legal. Just like two years ago when I asked if washers under the sway bar mounts are legal and the answer was NO.

I've already been told I tried to make a weenie protest, I didn't know that asking an offical was filing a protest but apparently in Colorado it is.

[Mike Collins]

Covering the fog-light holes is NOT illegal. In fact, IT IS REQUIRED! Please feel free to have whomever it is that does not understand this contact me.

Mike Collins
NATIONAL TECH INSPECTOR
SMAC MEMBER
SM - SCCA Runoffs Line Chief 2009
SM - NASA National Championships Tech 2010

[Mark Franklin]

Mike,

I appreciate your response here. I was asking a serious question and you gave an appropriate answer.

Tyler,

My information about any racer's involvement here was second hand information. I should have stated that more clearly. I seriously wanted to make sure my fog light covers were compliant with the GCR, though.

In tech's defense, they just asked that I verify compliance, not that I change anything.

Mark

[Little Bill]

Seems to me there is a big difference between "to much opening" in a 1.6 headlight cover, and carefully crafted fog light covers that follow the contour of the bumper. IMO one is an attempt to stay within the rule set and one is an attempt to gain performance.

[Todd Green]

I'm still voting for extra beer at the BBQ. Just don't let Tyler have any or you'll see things that no one wants to see and you may be blind for Sunday's race.

[Mark Franklin]

I'm still voting for extra beer at the BBQ. Just don't let Tyler have any or you'll see things that no one wants to see and you may be blind for Sunday's race.

Todd,

Good advice on both counts! One reason I love this event is the great Wasatch beer that Jon Lee brings. And seeing all my friends in Utah.

Mark

[Todd Green]

On a side note, anyone who thinks that Tyler takes his racing too seriously hasn't spent much time with him. (Forum needs the evil grin/devil lock emoticon)



See everyone tomorrow or Sat.

[Jerry Cabe]

Covering the fog-light holes is NOT illegal. In fact, IT IS REQUIRED! Please feel free to have whomever it is that does not understand this contact me.

Mike Collins
NATIONAL TECH INSPECTOR
SMAC MEMBER
SM - SCCA Runoffs Line Chief 2009
SM - NASA National Championships Tech 2010

Mike,

I would reference to the GCR section on "Cars and Equipment". Specifically section 9.3.32. "Lights mounted on or below the bumper shall be removed and all resulting holes shall be covered to prevent air passage through said hole." This is what I always intrepreted applied to the fog or driving lights in some Miatas. I don't think it matters how the hole is plugged, as long as it doesn't pass air. I've seen several over the years that didn't feel the need to plug the hole though.