89 replies to this topic

[Tom Sager]

So this stuff (link below) is actually a "coating" which is not legal and it can be used on both the inside and outside of an intake manifold (inside not legal).  So possibly for the person that wants to make a more exhaustive  search there is a similar product which can be purchased as "paint" which would then be legal and provide similar benefits?   Can of worms as Dave Wheeler said IMO.  The other question is why even change the rule and only for the intake manifold?  If paint is OK, then why not the exhaust and entire engine?  

 

http://www.techlinec...old_Article.htm

[Bench Racer]

Spec Miata

1. #13600 (Jim Wheeler) Allow engine paint

In section 9.1.7.C.k.1, add the language as follows:

"The intake manifold must be stock Mazda parts, without any material added or removed. No coating is permitted on the exterior or interior of the manifold except that the manifold exterior may be painted..."

 

 

Jim Wheeler, please inform the Spec Miata community the reasoning/logic behind this change.

 

 

Tom Sager, I have viewed an F production car with something silver/clearish coating on the intake manifold. Totally illegal per the production car intake rules.

 

Reading Tom's article, 130 hp x 2% decrease in heat = 2.6 hp gain. That's only reducing the temperature by 20*. Rules sliding downward is not a good thing.   

[davew]

 worms.jpg   2.6KB   0 downloads

[James York]

Painting the intake manifold does not "fix" anything at all.  There is no reason this rule should be allowed.  It is not like Mazda ever had a painted one, so it makes zero sense to permit them.

 

The only possible thing it solves is make legal the people that have painted them.  Well too bad for them.  Painting the intake is clearly not allowed in the present rules and they should have read them.  They can just go out and buy a bare metal one.  We don't need to change the rules because a few people can't read or don't take the time.

[mhiggins10]

A waving white flag at Start/Finish will indicate you have begun the last lap. A STANDING white flag anywhere (including Start/Finish) indicates a slow moving vehicle is in front of you. A yellow flag has different meanings depending on whether it's stationary or waved - this is no different and you guys seem to be able to figure that out.

Different regions (of different starters even at the same event) use different techniques to indicate the last lap has started - some a raised finger, some a downward pointed finger, some a sign, and others give no signal at all. All we're wanting to do is make it consistent across the club (and my three-year old granddaughter knows what a waving white flag at S/F means).

And every flag set already has a white flag, so there's no additional equipment needed...

 

I'd humbly suggest we just codify it as a finger indicating one to go.  Looking at the GCR, you could also run into the situation where, if something occurs on the last laps, the start/finish flag could indicate BOTH things (if they are the first or second flag stand before the vehicle).  Obviously, people will likely know, but why take a chance when it's a safety issue?

 

I'll write my director as well, but that's just my $.02.

 

Thanks for the direct input Butch!  It's really cool to see you involved in the discussions here.

[RussMcB]

I wonder what the arguments were for being against a finger or sign?  Both of those options seem better than a white flag.

[TEAM MEDICARE]

SCENARIO:

Short track.  A couple of fast drivers and the rest of the field not very good (like me).  Entire field lapped by the fast guys (gals).  Leaders come past flag stand to start last lap well below race time limit  and  get white flag as does the rest of the field , all a lap down.   Leaders proceed to take each other out.  Now have a new leader who comes to the finish line a lap short of the race distance.  Checkered flag?  Race over a lap short of scheduled race distance?  Is the white (last lap ) flag official?

[davew]

Kinda related story:

 

Many years ago I was in a 50 lap race. MC uses a lap board on the bridge. I came by once and it said 7 laps to go. Came by the next time and it said 10 laps to go. I know I was not going fast enough to make time go backwards. I later found that the 2 overall leading cars, GT1, both broke on the same lap and pulled into the paddock. The 3rd place overall car ,GT3, was 3 laps down. Thus the change in laps remaining.

 

I am in favor of an un-official courtesy signal of the start of what should be your last lap. Once it is made official, the next time around the checker had better fly or there is a big possibility of problems.

 

Dave

[Bad Rusty]

Have we voted on a "spec" heat barrier (Sorry, paint) for the intake manifold yet?  I just don't want to order the wrong one today. 

[Johnny D]

The Bulletin said at the top..

 

All changes are effective 4/1/2014 unless otherwise noted.

 

Think you're suppose to write your director with any concerns or clarifications.

J~

[davew]

Biggest question, Will Danny's intake be blue or orange? Maybe we should start a pole????    

 

Dave

[Jamz14]

Bad Rusty, Bad.

[Bench Racer]

The Bulletin said at the top..

 

All changes are effective 4/1/2014 unless otherwise noted.

 

Think you're suppose to write your director with any concerns or clarifications.

J~

 

DATE: March 20, 2014

NUMBER: TB 14-04

FROM: Club Racing Board

TO: Competitors, Stewards, and Scrutineers

SUBJECT: Errors and Omissions, Competition Adjustments, Clarifications, and Classifications

All changes are effective 4/1/2014 unless otherwise noted.

NOTE: This preliminary version of the Club Racing Technical Bulletin is provided at this time as a service to the membership. These items may be corrected and will not be official until published on the Fastrack page of the scca.com website on or about March 20.

 

 

Yes indeed it must be one of the following. Errors and Omissions, Clarifications,

I do note how the CRB folks that post aren't touching this with a ten foot pole. 

[TEAM MEDICARE]

I would like to send my views on this subject to the SCCA but have never done this before.  Can anyone tell me where to direct my letter?

[Bench Racer]

I would like to send my views on this subject to the SCCA but have never done this before.  Can anyone tell me where to direct my letter?

crbscca.com and it will be delivered to all the CRB (competition racing board) members. You might include information and by rule number that painting/insulating is not allowed in Show Room Stock, Improved touring (inside the intake manifold) or production cars (modification allowed are listed, The intake manifold can not otherwise be modified.)  Show Room Stock fits as less modifications than Spec Miata and Improved touring and Production cars are allowed more modifications than Spec Miata.

 

 You all notice how quite the chatter is about this rule.

All this nonsense rule does is raise the cost of racing.

More folks should send a letter requesting this intended rule be rescinded.  Yes, I understand 4/1/14 is here in a hurry. Sending a letter to the CRB happens instantly. 

[Bench Racer]

CRB letter 13722

 

Please rescind the decision to allow the Spec Miata intake manifold exterior to be painted per the 3/11/14 Preliminary Tech Bulletin.
 

Spec Miata
#13600 (Jim Wheeler) Allow engine paint
In section 9.1.7.C.k.1, add the language as follows:
"The intake manifold must be stock Mazda parts, without any material added or removed. No coating is permitted on the exterior or interior of the manifold except that the manifold exterior may be painted."

Several reasonable/logical points are included below for not allowing the intake manifold to be painted.

 

Point 1.

Spec Miata, Purpose and Intent:

Opportunity to compete in low cost, production-based cars with limited modifications, suitable for racing competition.

Point 2.

The rule met the class purpose and intent as is currently written.

"The intake manifold must be stock Mazda parts, without any material added or removed. No coating is permitted on the exterior or interior of the manifold."

Point 3.

Painting the intake manifold is not low cost and opens the door for un-intended consequences.

Point 4.

Painting the intake manifold is not required for suitable racing competition.

Point 5.

Classes that do not allow painting/coating of the intake manifold are Showroom Stock, Improved Touring and Production level 2 (two).

[mhiggins10]

Tracking Number: #13784

[Brandon]

#13872 for me.

[Brian Ghidinelli]

13889 was mine.  I sent in one before they voted too.  No me gusta.

[Jamz14]

This is not going to be rescinded. The only question left for me is how long before NASA adopts?