Definition of flexible?

[S2T]

Just reading the Blue Book...quote

12.5.8. Tonneau covers are permitted providing they
are of flexible material and were originally specified for
the vehicle.

 

So I have a carbon-esque material 1/2 tonneau that effectively is a flat sheet that bends over the passenger 'door space' and is screwed into the bodywork. In reality at speed it doesnt flap about like the standard leather type material Westfield use.

 

When I look up a definition of flexible this is one of the definitions 'capable of bending easily without breaking'

 

So the question is from a scrutineers point of view would the material proposed which is obviously a lot stiffer than the leather/canvas material be permitted?

 

Many thanks

[Mark (smokey mow)]

IMO a flexible material is one which will return to it's original state if you bend or fold it. I seem to recall that this has been discussed before and the interpretation was that a vinyl tonneau is flexible but carbon and fibreglass are not.

[S2T]

Thanks Mark, I had done a search prior to posting to see if there had been any previous discussion, but couldn't find anything. Logically I think you are correct but as I have it already made thought I would ask to save getting the canvas one. Will write to the MSA technical bods to see if they can give me a steer too

[Terry Everall]

I think "originally specified for the vehicle" is a tricky question to answer as a lot of our cars have none Westfield bits on them

[Mark (smokey mow)]

Found it

http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic/105610-development-project/?fromsearch=1

[B.RAD]

A few use carbon tonneau covers so I'd think you'd be ok

[Onliest Smeg David]

A few use carbon tonneau covers so I'd think you'd be ok

Maybe it's Class dependant.

I'm sure MSA roadgoing excludes rigid, but I'm only going off paddock discussions I've had not off tech regs.

[S2T]

Mark...thanks for finding that discussion, interesting and from what I could see 'back in the day' not entirely conclusive

 

Dave re reading the MSA regs and prompted by a comment from Luke in the linked thread, tonneaus arent even mentioned under Road Going Specialist Production

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

It's a GREY area, there are a few !!! 

 

As long as it is removable then if anyone objects take it off. I think that it is far more acceptable in Modified Specialist Production than Road Going IMHO

[John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison]

I consider it flexible if the owner is prepare for me to fold it in half and jump on it :-)

[mark.anson]

I ran a pre preg Carbon tonneau on my car without issue although whether it was flexible is open to debate. Well actually it isn't because it wasn't. I never had an issue at scrutineering but was alway prepared to remove it if it became an issue. The only thing that was ever mentioned was the edge nearest your head. That must have some sort of rounded edge to prevent it slicing your neck in an accident. A grey area as Nick says.

[Mark Stanton]

It'll be fine ................ until you win    and then you will have won because you have something non-standard and different, at which point someone will object and you will have to remove it  

[B.RAD]

Yeah I'm pretty sure it'd be ok. Carbon is flexible - to a point

I know some unscrupulous irks who run these, but they're not on during scrutineering....just saying.

[mhc]

If you really want to fit a flexible or non flexible tonnea just do it.

No one in the speed series will put up the money to make a protest at an event.

Only the speed series committee can make an appropriate ruling on that issue and why would they?

Surely not on cost, or availability , or even the common excuse of not being in the spirit of the rules.

Perhaps there are too many cant's and not enough can's?

Just an observation with no vested interest.

[iowlee]

In the mag 7's pretty much all of the competitors run them either fibreglass, carbon fibre, aluminum and a couple canvas. I have only had 1 question which was regarding the edge closest to me which has a 90 degree downwards turn so no straight/sharp edges to come into contact with me. The question was should it have padding on? The scrutineer was fine with no padding as it was not sharp (mine is Fibreglass). But as already mentioned mine is easily removable, just incase I get an overzealous scrutineer. Obviously this is not in a road going class though. Hope this helps.

 

Lee