What is considered a "full height and width" W/S?

breakaway500 · Post by **breakaway500** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:21 am

I have been reading the rulebook and came across the rule requiring that all cars,except prepared class,must be equipped with a "full height and width" windshield.

Does this statement mean as the car came from the factory, as in original equipment manufactured,and can not be altered from those original specifications,or does it mean the windshield must be the full height and width of the car?

Just looking to find the proper class for an Atom,as it comes from the factory with bubble windscreens which are neither as wide or tall as the vehicle.

I was told an Atom in '07 ran with comscc under SPB classification,so maybe I am reading too much into the windshield requirement,or should an Atom be in PB?

Post by **WillM** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 7:43 pm

The former. The stock, unmodified windshield, satisfies the requirement.

breakaway500 · Post by **breakaway500** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:45 am

Thank you!

mr2sc · Post by **mr2sc** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:52 am

just wondering...is the Ariel Atom turboed?
Otherwise wouldn't it be SPC? (assuming that its SP at all)

Post by **WillM** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:37 am

mr2sc wrote:just wondering...is the Ariel Atom turboed?
Otherwise wouldn't it be SPC? (assuming that its SP at all)

An optional supercharger is offered. Eaton roots-type, I believe.

mr2sc · Post by **mr2sc** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:05 pm

yeah...but I don't get the part about SP...
Not sure I understand why it wouldn't be considered FP...

Doesn't SP specifically require?: wipers, glass windshield, rear glass, hood, bumpers, moreover...doors??

anyhow, I know this has been discussed elsewhere, but I'm not sure I saw anything conclusive until now.

offcamber09 · Post by **offcamber09** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:37 pm

mr2sc wrote:yeah...but I don't get the part about SP...
Not sure I understand why it wouldn't be considered FP...

Doesn't SP specifically require?: wipers, glass windshield, rear glass, hood, bumpers, moreover...doors??

anyhow, I know this has been discussed elsewhere, but I'm not sure I saw anything conclusive until now.

I think a major component to the SP vs. P debate is it's street legallity. The Atom is street legal- at least in some states. Although, come to think of it my SPA Mustang is not street legal. I better shut up before I end up in PA.

rajito · Post by **rajito** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:39 pm

IMHO, it should be in FP, even though it has fenders and headlights. It weighs just as much as a Van Diemen and makes 220hp, which (I think) is way more than what a Van Diemen makes.

If you want to make the argument that it's not a formula car, why would a bone stock Atom even be in SP? Shouldn't it be in SS, possibly under SSU?

Raj

mr2sc · Post by **mr2sc** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:32 pm

hmm...I don't think 'street legality' has much relevance, otherwise, as Raj mentions, why not SSU?

When I once suggested that perhaps SP should require a vehicle actually being licensed, that was snubbed (I still think its a good idea)

Besides, you can 'license' lots of vehicles http://www.go-t-rex.com/. SPC?

I think think the criteria here is that it is 'open wheel' (heck, it has inboard pushrod operated suspension)...not to mention the lack of the other SP requirements (wipers, glass, rear glass, even doors!)....

BTW, 'some' clubs do not allow open wheel cars to even share track space with 'fendered' cars.

Anyhow, no biggie...I was just wondering about how come it was SP and not FP

jlwhorf · Post by **jlwhorf** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:01 pm

Besides, you can 'license' lots of vehicles http://www.go-t-rex.com/. SPC?

The t-rex is licenced as a motorcycle not a car.

In previous post regarding another atom, it was determined the car fell under the catagory as a streetable kit car. So it was spc for the na version, and spb for the forced induced one. For school days, sp and p require the same safety requirements. I would guess when the atoms run the time trials to near the car potential limit, the classification will be examined again.

Jonathan

Post by **WillM** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:20 pm

I believe the Ferrari Enzo and Porsche Carrera GT turn laps on par with, if not faster than, the Atom. There are other "supercar" examples too.

Assuming the Enzo and GT would be SSU cars, then the Atom should be classed in a similar manner.

Just because it looks like a formula car, doesn't mean it is (or is even on par with) a formula car.

Note: For 2008, the FORMULA Vee, is in SPC, not FP.

Just my current $0.02, which is subject to change with discussion!

brucesallen · Post by **brucesallen** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:55 pm

I believe the only classification issue keeping the Atom out of SP is the windshield. I believe the rule means full width windshield but maybe we stewards should look at this issue.

A number of kit/custom cars like Cobras and Lotus 7 replicas and my Viking Twin Turbo have run in SP in the past.

breakaway500 · Post by **breakaway500** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:56 pm

My Atom has a 4cyl. Chevrolet 2.0L engine with an Eaton supercharger(Cobalt SS LSJ drivetrain).It has been dynoed at 225rwhp.

It has the factory "windshield" or shields in the form of twin bubbles.That is why I asked the question regarding the rule about height and width requirements.

I don't believe I will be a threat to any Enzos,Carreras etc. for some time

COM Sports Car Club

What is considered a "full height and width" W/S?

What is considered a "full height and width" W/S?

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