prelit Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Hi guy's I've heard a rumour that suggests the wording in the MSA 'blue book' has changed for 04 with regard to head restraints. My Westie is class 2b (road modified) and I've competed without a restraint for several seasons without any issue. I believe it was only recommended for 'road modified' but mandatory for 'proper racing cars' Has this now changed? Cheers, Prelit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windy Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 If you have a seat with one built in this will pass. If you don't you will need to put a plate on the roll hoop to stop your head moving back. Hope this helps? Windy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prelit Posted January 23, 2004 Author Share Posted January 23, 2004 Thanks for the speedy reply Windy, so I guess you're saying it is now mandatory for even road going classes!!! Prelit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stanton Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Whoa ................. read up on this one when your blue book arrives Head restraints for sprint and hillclimb cars can be as simple as an inbuilt restraint within seat profile or a simple "pad" perhaps fitted from your roll bar or from chassis cross rail behind your seat From a failing memory there is a miaximum distance requirement for pad its in Blue Book it also includes all notation of resisting at least a certain g force blah blah - Make it secure and non flexible What is also being introduced and what you need to be careful with - re some of the more "over enthusiastic" scruters is for circuit and I think rally seats is that a head restraint must be fitted and include side cheeks Most experienced sprint scruters will be fine and know what applies where - but make yourself familar with it should you encounter a Rally or circuit scruter not so familiar with sprint rulings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prelit Posted January 23, 2004 Author Share Posted January 23, 2004 Thanks for the info. Mark, So it's looks that the 'blue book' has changed then, as you guessed I haven't sent for my licence yet so only have the 03 book. I did hold the belief that even a roll over bar is NOT mandatory for my car (recommended of course) as my prelit wasn't fitted with one as standard. I think I must be getting confused with the wording in the blue book. I will send off for my licence asap and try and understand if the wording has actually changed. From the 03 book:- Recommended for Modified Production Cars Mandatoy for Categories D - F. I believed my car to be in Category B (is this right?) so therefore it doesn't need a restraint according to 03 regulations. Cheers, Prelit. and yes Mark I will be joining the WSSC this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windy Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 Not sure if it mandatory or not but I would fit a head restraint anyway for the same reason as I would fit an RAC roll hoop. Common sense stuff that will help to save your life in the unlikely event of an incident. On the subject of roll hoops I recall there was a westfield that rolled at prescott last year and that was when it showed that paying some attention to fitting "recommended" roll protection is a life saver. The other thing I've found is that the feeling of being in a safer car makes you drive it faster! And being in a car with a tin roof (Escort) turns you into a hooligan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stanton Posted January 23, 2004 Share Posted January 23, 2004 I recall there was a westfield that rolled at prescott last year and that was when it showed that paying some attention to fitting "recommended" roll protection is a life saver. That'd probably be Robin Hawker in his Busa which thankfully he came out of totally unscathed But there again Robins previous background was in off roading in a 4x4 Landrover - and after a few seasons in a Westfield looks like he may have still a hankering for some of his previous exploits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prelit Posted January 23, 2004 Author Share Posted January 23, 2004 Mark, yes, my Westie does have a roll over bar but it's not a RAC type one. I will pm my e-mail address. Thanks very much in advance. Windy, point taken, however as I'm a shortarse my seat is a fair way forward & I'm finding it difficult to see how I can 'engineer' a satisfactory mounting for a restraint. I'II have a look over the weekend but if anyone has any idea's I'm all ears. Cheers, prelit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prelit Posted January 23, 2004 Author Share Posted January 23, 2004 Mark, Wow!!!! that was quick SS regs now recieved. Thanks Prelit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cast iron Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 I spoke to the MSA at the Autosport show as I had spotted the change regarding head restraints They werent aware it had changed After 20 mins they agreed it had changed But couldnt tell me if anything else had changed Knowing the scruitineers i know they will probably make it up on the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stanton Posted February 2, 2004 Share Posted February 2, 2004 They werent aware it had changed After 20 mins they agreed it had changed But couldnt tell me if anything else had changed This sounds very harsh and I really don't like to criticise ........... but seriously you are wasting your time and breath speaking to the MSA about rules changes and their application especially with regard to sprints and hillclimb rulings The guys who actually made the latest batch of rule changes are no longer employed by the MSA ......... and the current batch actually working there are not aware of why, how and ?? particularly with regard to club and regional championships Thankfully for the Speed Series we have our specific knowledge of Westfields and Richard from the factory has been a great help along with our championship eligibility scrutineer and fully qualified MSA scrutineer David Bowlas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 I got picked up a few times last year - for having the standard Westfield Race seats fitted. These are the "high back" type - with the rounded tops. At Croft and Knockhill - I got mildly boll**ked because if involved in an accident, my head would rotate backwards around the top of the seat!!! They reckoned this would break my neck - before my helmet contacted the roll bar. I am fitting a pad to the rollbar this winter - just hope Demon Thieves have got one big enough my huge helmet. (Awaits response from Mr D...................) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.