45 replies to this topic

[Panic Motorsports]

Tech at Road Atlanta this weekend was issuing warnings to drivers with tail light coverings. "Clear tape only". Page 103 in the GCR is kinda sketchy, though it does state "light assemblies shall be considered one light for the purposes of this rule irrespective of the number of individual lamps the assembly may contain" At the very least, you guys in SEDiv better get your heat guns and paint remover out and get busy, no more decorations for you.

[luckymiata76]

I was told the same thing at the GingerMan Majors. Car has had white tape on the outer edge of the tail lights because one tail light is broken. Brake lights are still full visible and it has been like this since 2004. Not trying to be fancy, just avoiding buying another tail light.

 

Jeff

[davew]

We got the same complaints at Blackhawk. It sure would be nice if tech would worry about things that make difference, like cams or restrictor plates, instead of stickers.

 

dave

[Mike Collins]

9.3.32. LIGHTS

All non-Formula cars shall have two operating red brake lights. All For- mula (open wheel) and Sports Racing cars shall be equipped with a red taillight of at least the equivalent illumination power of a 15 watt bulb. This light shall be mounted as high as possible on the centerline of the car and be clearly visible from the rear. The taillight shall be illuminated when ordered by the Series Chief Steward or Chief Steward. Light assemblies shall be considered one light for the purposes of this rule, irrespective of the number of individual lamps the assembly may contain. Light as- semblies may perform both rain and brake light functions provided they have two distinct illumination levels. An optional tail light (“rain light”), as described above, may be added to cars in all other classes. Strobing lights are not permitted.

Exposed glass headlights shall be taped. Rear brake lights may be taped with transparent tape. Turn signals, front parking lights, backup lamps, and side marker lights may be taped or painted. Lights mounted on or below the bumper shall be removed, and all resulting holes shall be cov- ered to prevent air passage through said holes. Lights mounted within the bumper may be removed or covered and any resulting holes shall be covered to prevent air passage through said holes. 

[Mike Collins]

If the full ring that is the brake light is visible you are fine.  

[Keith Andrews]

Here is a picture of the offending car.  I have a great deal of respect for the Official that brought this to my attention.  I have known him since my day 1 with the SCCA.  He helped me get my racing license.  

 

I added the vinyl primarily for protection.  This is not a big deal to me but it was a surprise.  

 

The good news is you finished in the top 3 and go to impound.  The bad news is you have noncompliant tail lights.   

 

 

9.3.32. LIGHTS

All non-Formula cars shall have two operating red brake lights. All Formula

(open wheel) and Sports Racing cars shall be equipped with a red

taillight of at least the equivalent illumination power of a 15 watt bulb.

This light shall be mounted as high as possible on the centerline of the car

and be clearly visible from the rear. The taillight shall be illuminated when

ordered by the Series Chief Steward or Chief Steward. Light assemblies

shall be considered one light for the purposes of this rule, irrespective

of the number of individual lamps the assembly may contain. Light assemblies

may perform both rain and brake light functions provided they

have two distinct illumination levels. An optional tail light (“rain light”),

as described above, may be added to cars in all other classes. Strobing

lights are not permitted.

Exposed glass headlights shall be taped. Rear brake lights may be taped

with transparent tape. Turn signals, front parking lights, backup lamps,

and side marker lights may be taped or painted. Lights mounted on or

below the bumper shall be removed, and all resulting holes shall be covered

to prevent air passage through said holes. Lights mounted within

the bumper may be removed or covered and any resulting holes shall be

covered to prevent air passage through said holes.

 

 brakelightsoff1.jpg   78.21KB   10 downloads

 

 brakelightson1.jpg   77.23KB   7 downloads

[Johnny D]

 

The good news is you finished in the top 3 and go to impound.  The bad news is you have noncompliant tail lights.   

 

 

So sorry you got DQ with those cheater tail lights ??

 

When i'm 2" from your bumper, I can't see you breaking. It's just not safe.

J~

[wheel]

The rule says you can cover the tail lights with clear tape.  That is all that is legal.  Of course, the reason is so that the brake lights can be seen.  We will probably have to tune up that rule to say "tail lights may be taped, but the brake lights must still be visible."  That way you can tape the non-essential part of the lights for safety and to keep all the broken parts from falling under the tires of the guy who just bump drafted you to the tune of broken tail lights.

wheel

[Jim Drago]

We got the same complaints at Blackhawk. It sure would be nice if tech would worry about things that make difference, like cams or restrictor plates, instead of stickers.

 

dave

 

 

I don't know.. I would like to see brake lights..  more so than a restrictor plate.  especially if I am the guy following   You know me, I even run dierectional bulbs for some reason   

[Panic Motorsports]

My concern is the "assembly" rule is what is going to be called upon that NONE of the tail light can be vinyled or painted or whatever. Obviously, there's no intent to cover or disguise the brake light itself, but the way the officials were talking this weekend, you better not have anything other than clear tape on those tail light assemblies, or you'll at least get dinged a position in class. Now, if we could just get Drago's "strobing" yellow lamps looked into.......

[Bench Racer]

Just like we need more gun laws. Neither the guns or the current laws are the issue.

[Johnny D]

Did this stem from the RA restart issue?

J~

[Ron Alan]

Its amazing how many SM cars are on track with only 1 or no working brake lights 

 

Saw my first "cheater" turn signal light a few months ago. Not SM but a Miata  ITA car. The filter/cold air intake had been rerouted to under the passenger headlight. Ok fine...maybe that is legal. But the turn signal which was taped up with black tape had a spring door cut in the middle of it so it would open up at speed and supply air to the intake right behind it. When a tech at impound pushed on this(it was hard to see)and it opened, the driver immediately insisted it didnt work and to go look in the picture truck for pictures to show it didnt open!! It was comical...but  nothing happened other than a note in his log book to fix i believe. And he won his race!

[Jamz14]

A reroute of any kind shouldnt be legal for sm in any way.

[davew]

From the SCCA GCR, page 181 (june 2014 version)

 

Transparent – Offering very little resistance to the passage of visible light,

suitable for use in the line of sight.

 

 

9.3.32. LIGHTS

All non-Formula cars shall have two operating red brake lights. All For- mula (open wheel) and Sports Racing cars shall be equipped with a red taillight of at least the equivalent illumination power of a 15 watt bulb. This light shall be mounted as high as possible on the centerline of the car and be clearly visible from the rear. The taillight shall be illuminated when ordered by the Series Chief Steward or Chief Steward. Light assemblies shall be considered one light for the purposes of this rule, irrespective of the number of individual lamps the assembly may contain. Light as- semblies may perform both rain and brake light functions provided they have two distinct illumination levels. An optional tail light (“rain light”), as described above, may be added to cars in all other classes. Strobing lights are not permitted.

Exposed glass headlights shall be taped. Rear brake lights may be taped with transparent tape. Turn signals, front parking lights, backup lamps, and side marker lights may be taped or painted. Lights mounted on or below the bumper shall be removed, and all resulting holes shall be cov- ered to prevent air passage through said holes. Lights mounted within the bumper may be removed or covered and any resulting holes shall be covered to prevent air passage through said holes. 

 

 

Who gets to determine what is the allowable amount of light resistance?

[Bench Racer]

Tangent:

 

A reroute of any kind shouldnt be legal for sm in any way.

 

Ah, presume your talking about air, does "shouldn't" mean isn't legal?? How about those with an NA car that remove the 90* black thing (headlight seal) mounted to the underside of the hood, legal or illegal???

[Bench Racer]

From the SCCA GCR, page 181 (june 2014 version)

 

Transparent – Offering very little resistance to the passage of visible light,

suitable for use in the line of sight.

 

 

Who gets to determine what is the allowable amount of light resistance?

The common sense Genie.

[Ron Alan]

Tangent:

 

 

Ah, presume your talking about air, does "shouldn't" mean isn't legal?? How about those with an NA car that remove the 90* black thing (headlight seal) mounted to the underside of the hood, legal or illegal???

Fender liner...

[Bench Racer]

Fender liner...

No, FSM name, headlight seal.   4 bolts attach each one to the bottom side of the hood.

[Yosh]

Tangent:

 

 

Ah, presume your talking about air, does "shouldn't" mean isn't legal?? How about those with an NA car that remove the 90* black thing (headlight seal) mounted to the underside of the hood, legal or illegal???

 

 

9.1.7. Spec Miata (SM) Specifications

g.  The plastic trim on the hood may be removed.