35 replies to this topic

[FTodaro]

I am going to have to mount some ballast in my passinger compartment, making the transistion between the NASA 2390 and the SCCA 2450 wt. for my 1999. I also use a passnger seat in the car for instructing when I am not racing so I do not want to permanently mount the Ballast or its mounting hardware.

My plan was to design a ballast plate constructed of a welded steel Frame and plates bolted to that frame, that bolts into the stock seat mounting points for the passenger seat. The max weight will be 60 lbs.

Since that was designed to hold a seat with a body that likely is more that 60lbs I would think its good to go.

This if from the CGR, any reason I can do this?

If ballast is required to meet the required weight it shall be
added as follows:
1. All ballast shall be securely mounted on the passenger
floor.
2. Each segment of ballast shall be fastened with a minimum
of two (2) one-half (1/2) inch bolts and positive lock nuts
of SAE Grade 5 or better and shall utilize large diameter,
load distributing washers.
3. Holes may be drilled in the passenger floorpan for the
purposes of mounting the ballast and the floorpan may be
reinforced for that purpose only.

[Mike Collins]

We recently modified the rules to allow you to do exactly what you are asking.

[FTodaro]

We recently modified the rules to allow you to do exactly what you are asking.

Thanks Mike, It looked like it was good to me but thought I would ask to be safe, did not want to show up to my first SCCA event with a new set up and be sent home. or worse run with a full tank of fuel and stuff lead in my pockets. Last year I left the seat in in the car and filled the cool suit cooler full and filled the tank.

This year I decided to go the ballast route and keep the set up a bit more balanced.

[HoneyBadger - BrianW]

We recently modified the rules to allow you to do exactly what you are asking.

Our local SCCA tech official interprets this rule to mean that you need to have 2 bolts per ballast piece. So for instance, I have 4"x16"x1/4" thick plates stacked on top of each other with 2 total bolts, quantity 12. He thinks that I need to have 24 bolts to secure this ballast. 2 bolts per piece, rather than each piece having 2 bolts.

[dmathias]

Your SCCA tech official is a moron - sorry - Tourettes.

[Tom Hampton]

Your SCCA tech official is a moron - sorry - Tourettes.

Not helpful....but, very very funny!

[HoneyBadger - BrianW]

Your SCCA tech official is a moron - sorry - Tourettes.

Unfortunately he is not exactly an elected official...

[wheel]

We'll see if we can't get this clarified.
wheel

[FTodaro]

We'll see if we can't get this clarified.
wheel

Please do, if the stock mounting position with 4 bolts is adequate to hold a seat with a 200Lb person in it, I would hope that 4 bolts could hold 60lbs of ballast. I am going forward with my plan. I may post a picture of it when done.

[wheel]

The ballast rule has been re-written, already, to allow for the use of the seat mounts.

Effective 4/1/11, in 9.1.8.C.8.i.2, add the following: "Alternatively, ballast may
be secured using all 4 Mazda factory passenger seat mounting bolt holes."

I'm just concerned that a tech inspector would read the old rule to mean that each plate has to have its own two bolts. That's just nuts. I crack myself up.
Where was that done, by the way?

wheel

[HoneyBadger - BrianW]

The tech inspectors first name is Hal and he is normally at Eagles Canyon in Dallas TX. Most people here just remove their ballast before tech. Which I understand defeats the point....

[Tom Hampton]

Please do, if the stock mounting position with 4 bolts is adequate to hold a seat with a 200Lb person in it, I would hope that 4 bolts could hold 60lbs of ballast. I am going forward with my plan. I may post a picture of it when done.

Which would be waaay more useful....if I hadn't removed the rear humps to mount the instructor seat.

::Beer:: Here's to hoping someone convinces Hal that he is incorrect before I go to get my logbook.

You've got 6 months to "git 'er done."

[Johnny D]

Here's something.
http://www.ghidinell...azda-spec-miata
J~

[fishguyaz]

::Beer:: Here's to hoping someone convinces Hal that he is incorrect before I go to get my logbook.

there are ways around the overzealous tech inspector like this.
just find out who else in the region is a qualified tech inspector, there should be a few, and have them do the intial inspection not at the track. bring the car to them.

[Keith Novak]

He's not the only one of "those tech inspectors". I was lectured one morning for not having my lap belt mounting bolts safety wired. Apparently "it's required in the rule book" and I was at least the 6th person that day who he'd had to lecture about it.

[dstevens]

The old "it's in the book"...

Except that it's not.

[FTodaro]

He's not the only one of "those tech inspectors". I was lectured one morning for not having my lap belt mounting bolts safety wired. Apparently "it's required in the rule book" and I was at least the 6th person that day who he'd had to lecture about it.

What does that mean exactly, does that mean drill a hole in the end of the bolt to put a wire in the bolt so the nut will not back out? Another surprise?

[wheel]

What does that mean exactly, does that mean drill a hole in the end of the bolt to put a wire in the bolt so the nut will not back out? Another surprise?

Safety wire is not required on seat belt mounting bolts. Safety wire is not even mentioned in the GCR. Actually, I think it might be mentioned for oil drain plugs for some cars. I seem to remember that being discussed at some point. If a tech inspector tells you that you need to have your bolts safety wired, politely ask him to show you the section in the GCR that says it is required.
Personally, I safety wire a lot of stuff. Usually, it is right after that particular bolt fell out.

wheel

[Tom Hampton]

I've been wanting to safety wire all the caliper bolts, for sure. I've seen the drilling jigs in the usual catalogs....and wondered if they really work that well. With such a small bit, and hardened bolts I wondered if you end up breaking/burning lots of bits. ???


Once I have the ability, I'm sure I'll go a little "wire-crazy".

[wheel]

I have drilled grade 8 bolts and it is a chore. You can't do it with H.F. bits, that's for sure. In the AS, almost everything, like alternator, p.s., exhaust, engine and transmission mounts, etc. are safety wired. Not so much on the SM.
wheel