Overview of Changes in 2008 Rules

[bhoss]

The 2008 COM Rule Book is in its final review and will be posted to this site shortly. I thought that I would extract they key changes to the rules for 2008 and get them out there asap.

Below is a quick synopsis of the significant COM rule changes for 2008 - in additon to these rule changes there are some new car classifications and some changes in car classifications - please refer to the 2008 Rule book when posted for these changes

Significant COM Rule Changes for 2008

New is in blue – removed is in red

I. GENERAL
D. At NO time during the Time Trial or on-track session will PASSENGERS be allowed on the course unless one occupant is a COM instructor or a person designated by the Chief Instructor and the passenger is a COMSCC member. All event participants must be registered prior to being allowed on-track.

III. CLASSIFICATIONS OF AUTOMOBILES
A. ENTRANTS, AND NOT REGISTRATION NOR TECH INSPECTION, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROPER CLASSIFICATION OF THEIR OWN VEHICLES. New competitors may receive classification assistance at Tech Inspection from the steward in the tech line. A basic classification rule is one (1) major modification moves a car over by one (1) group. Any other number of major modifications will be classified at the discretion of the Event Stewards.

IV. TIME TRIAL POINTS AND GUIDELINES
H. Only times taken by Timing and Scoring during Timed Runs will be considered for a class record. Competitors who believe that they have set a new class record must present their car for inspection by a steward (or event chair in the absence of a steward) for inspection, to verify compliance with class requirements. Information necessary to show original configuration (shop manual) is the competitor’s responsibility. If the car is found to not comply with the rules for that class, the record will not be awarded, and the car will be disqualified. but the standing of the car in the event will not be affected unless there is a protest by another competitor. The Points Keeper will record the lap records.

VI. CAR REQUIREMENTS
F. Vehicle Interior
2. All cars must have well mounted, metal-to-metal, quick release lap and safety belt AND upper body restraint in good condition. Mounting points must be sturdy and immovable locations on the chassis, unibody, or rollcage/rollbar/harness bar. Suitable backing plates should be used where necessary. Refer to manufacturer’s, FIA and/or SFI mounting specifications for more information regarding hardware, backing plate, and installation requirements and suggestions. SS and ST cars may use any DOT, SFI, or FIA approved harness. All other cars must use an SFO or FIA approved harness with a minimum of 5 points (2 lap belts, 2 shoulder belts, and at least 1 antisubmarine belt). All harness belts must have the SFI or FIA date certification label and be current (i.e. not expired or out of code). Generally, SFI belts are certified for 2 years and FIA belts are certified for 5 years. Certification date begins as of the date of manufacture, not the date of installation into the vehicle.
When constructing bars for harness attachment be aware of the potential safety hazard that can be created by the addition of a horizontal bar directly behind the driver’s seat. In the event of a rearward impact the driver’s seat can be broken allowing the occupant(s) to impact the horizontal bar resulting in serious or fatal neck injuries. Suggestions for avoiding this potential hazard include moving the horizontal bar as far to the rear of the car as possible, utilizing a mount that is direct to an existing portion of the car or installing a full roll bar with an upper seat support.
In all classes, interior panels may be modified or removed in order to accommodate the installation of full roll cages or roll bars. This includes the modification or removal of window glass and lift mechanism to accommodate roll cage door bars. If a sunroof is removed the remaining hole must be covered with a fixed metal replacement.

IX. SHOWROOM STOCK
Showroom Stock automobiles will compete in an "AS DELIVERED" configuration with preparations and modifications allowed ONLY as follows. In other words, if it’s not explicitly permitted here or in section VI, it’s not legal in Showroom Stock . “As delivered configurationâ€

[bhoss]

As a follow-up:

This appears to be the only CHANGE in car classification:

Mazda 13B normally aspirated has been moved from STREET PREPARED B (SPB) to STREET PREPARED C (SPC)

The rest are additions to the existing classifications

[WillM]

Thanks for the concise summary Bill.

Very good idea to post this, as everyone should be aware of the harness change. That said, the summary is not a replacement for the rulebook, so please review the complete rulebook when it is posted!

Also, I believe that the Formula Vee was moved from FP to PC.

[chaos4NH]

The harness change is significant. If you use a harness in ANY class, it must be within SFI or FIA date code. Outdated harnesses not allowed, PERIOD. I may have misled some forum readers at an earlier date.

[denndy]

Thanks for the sumary,
Dennis

[John F]

OK, is the harness expiration date two years after the punch date or the end of the calendar year two years after the punch date as quoted in the other harness post?

[zip4zat]

I have 1 comment about the new harness rule, albeit late to the party perhaps.

As Im informed, with particular belts all other things being FIA rated, the only difference between SFI and FIA ratings, is that FIA will not certify "pull up" type belts therefore only receiving a SFI rating. Everything else in the belts can be the same, except for the direction of pull (lap belts).

So how would something like this have anything to do with the duration of certification? I understand that this is a rule that other clubs/organizations have adopted, so its more a rhetorical question..

[WillM]

As Im informed, with particular belts all other things being FIA rated, the only difference between SFI and FIA ratings, is that FIA will not certify "pull up" type belts therefore only receiving a SFI rating.

Interesting. I don't have an answer to that question, but can say that my FIA (Schroth Profi II-6 HANS) come configured with pull-down shoulder belts and pull-up lap belts. All of the belts can be configured as either pull-up or pull down. The harness kit includes an instructional CD-ROM which walks the end-user through the re-configuring the belts as either pull-up or pull-down.

[zip4zat]

OK, is the harness expiration date two years after the punch date or the end of the calendar year two years after the punch date as quoted in the other harness post?

Thats a good question. I would assume it would be month/year, but I think a proper ruling should be given. This would affect whether I have to get new harnesses this year.

On another note, will the rule book still stipulate the following,
assuming that I'll be harness shopping soon?

...minimum 3" wide lap belts and minimum 2" wide shoulder harnesses...

Thanks- Joe

[zip4zat]

As Im informed, with particular belts all other things being FIA rated, the only difference between SFI and FIA ratings, is that FIA will not certify "pull up" type belts therefore only receiving a SFI rating.

Interesting. I don't have an answer to that question, but can say that my FIA (Schroth Profi II-6 HANS) come configured with pull-down shoulder belts and pull-up lap belts. All of the belts can be configured as either pull-up or pull down. The harness kit includes an instructional CD-ROM which walks the end-user through the re-configuring the belts as either pull-up or pull-down.

Thanks Will,
After a little more poking around, it seems that some mfr's do not have their pull up belts FIA rated (ala G-Force), but their pull down ones are. I think it's a matter of homolgation into the FIA rather than a certification, might just be semantics..

[zip4zat]

Ok, it seems that I might have answered my own question.

I read on the all knowing "intarweb" that FIA harnesses are good for 5 years until the last day of that year. While SFI 16.1 certified harnesses are only good for 2 years until the last day of the month of manufacture.

[WillM]

You are correct Joe, the 2008 rulebook does not contain the 2" or 3" belt width specification any longer. We decided to do away with the old specs in favor of SFI and FIA certification/homologation. This is much like our helmet rules, which rely on Snell approval.

[Shawn624]

As a follow-up:

This appears to be the only CHANGE in car classification:

Mazda 13B normally aspirated has been moved from STREET PREPARED B (SPB) to STREET PREPARED C (SPC)

The rest are additions to the existing classifications

Does this also mean that the Mazda 13B normally aspirated has been moved from PB to PC?

[bhoss]

Yes -the 13B was moved to PC - the cars highliged in blue were al moved to PC

PREPARED C (P/C)
Generally all 4 cylinder cars prepared to Prepared rules
SCCA GT3, GTL, Formula Vee, FP, GP, HP, Sports Renault, Spec Racer Ford and Renault
Mazda 12A normally aspirated, MX3 1.8L 6-cyl
Mazda 13B normally aspirated

[chaos4NH]

As a follow-up:

This appears to be the only CHANGE in car classification:

Mazda 13B normally aspirated has been moved from STREET PREPARED B (SPB) to STREET PREPARED C (SPC)

The rest are additions to the existing classifications

Does this also mean that the Mazda 13B normally aspirated has been moved from PB to PC?

Ok Shawn, does that mean I get to drive the 13B while you play with the 'Vette?