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I have just sent the following to scca via the crb.scca.com website. Everything between the astrict *** lines was included. Although I have more to say to you at the bottom. Here goes:
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Spec Miata Cylinder Head Protest Proposal
Following the incedents at both Daytona and Mazda Raceway, I am sure the CRB/SMAC/BoD have been inundated with letters and proposals. I have voiced my opinions to many of you privately. This letter does not address the legality of the engines found non-compliant, nor does it address the rules as written. My intention is to propose a solution so this issue may not rise again. Please read in completion.
Background: A large issue with the SCCA protest procedure is the competitors are charged with protesting each other. On the rare occasion that this does happen, the SOM’s and COA are not experts in Spec Miata cylinder heads rules. The only time you can expect a cylinder head removal and inspection is at The Runoffs. And again, the inspection and decisions are not made by SM experts. Not since the Spec Miata Compliance Team was disbanded, years ago, have there been any significant at track inspections.
Trying to train a large number of “expertsâ€, for the entire country, would be impossible, both logisticly and personnel wise. But training a small team would be possible. Locating a team of experts at the SCCA headquarters could be done.
Proposal: Create a 6 man team of experts that could be available at quick notice and train them in the nuances of the Spec Miata head rules as they are written (or rewritten as the case may be). A panel of five of the six would hear any protests.
Procedure: Driver “A†protests driver “Bâ€. Driver A posts a $1400 bond (taken from the widely rumored bond used at The Runoffs). During an event the engine may sealed prior to the race. Following the race, the engine is “whistle checked†for compression using the approved SCCA procedure. The cylinder head is then removed from the car. The head should be perminently stamped using metal stamps (as used for roll bar stampings) with both the Log book number and the last 8 digits of the vin code. One stamp at the front of the head, and one stamp at the rear of the head. The head would then be shipped to SCCA headquarters for inspection. The following items would be included: Cylinder head with all valves intact, camshafts still installed, Cam gears, cam gear bolts, intake gasket, exhaust gasket and cylinder head gasket, Complete intake manifold with restrictor plate, throttle body, egr valve. The intake should also be stamped just as the head.
Further inspection of the engine (at track) would include a bore and stroke test with the head removed, as well as a deck height measurement. Photos of all measurements should be taken and of the piston surface. Photos to be forwarded to SCCA for inspection and training purposes.
All of this should be 1.5 to 2 hour process to disassemble. The suspect parts would then get shipped to SCCA headquarters for further disassembly and inspection. Once in the hands of the inspection team, the intake and head should be completely disassembled. Head should be “CCed†and compression ratio calculated on all cylinders. Valves, valve train are inspected. Cylinder heads inspected for non-compliant machine work. Intake manifold assembly inspected for modification. Camshafts inspected on all lobes.
Whatever results, the normal appeal process will follow. After the appeal time has expired any compliant components are to be returned to the protested driver, even if some components are determined non-compliant. Any non compliant parts shall be retained by SCCA. In the event the cylinder head or the intake manifold are found non-compliant, they shall remain in the possession of SCCA for a period of 6 months. After that time, they shall be cut into 2 pieces with each section having one of the stampings. One section is to be returned to the protested driver. The second section is to be retained by SCCA for a minimum time of 6 months before disposal. SCCA may choose to save the part for training purposes at SCCA’s discression.
$400 of the protest bond shall be retained by SCCA, who will reimburse any shipping fees incurred from the Region. If everything is found compliant, the parts and the remaining $1000 shall be returned to the protested driver. If any item is found non compliant, the $1000 shall be returned to the protesting driver.
Conclusion; Knowing that a fair and knowlegable inspection is available will stop many from “pushing the envelopeâ€. Having a reasonable reasonable fee structure may make protests more popular, thus eliminating and non-compliant parts. Having the opportunity to have a discussion about the legality of a component will lead to better rules and definitions.
Timing: I understand there is a rules meeting in which this topic will be discussed within a few days. I hope that this proposal will be part of that discussion. Due to the short time frame, I am forwarding this proposal to the CRB through both the SM and GCR departments. I am also sending it to various other SCCA and Mazda officials.
I will also be posting this exact document to the www.mazdaracers.com online forum. In order to eleviate a lot of cut and paste by members of the forum, I am going to ask that any letters addressed to SCCA be titled simply; I am in favor of Dave Wheelers proposal or I am not in favor of Dave Wheelers proposal. This hopefully will speed up fact finding.
Dave Wheeler
Former SMAC Chairman
Advanced Autosports
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The CRB meeting is this weekend. Whether you agree with me or not, please contact them via crbscca.com by simply typing into the subject line "I am in favor or NOT in favor of Dave Wheelers proposal"
Thank You
Dave
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