Howard Posted July 6, 2006 Posted July 6, 2006 The ignition switch must be operable by the driver when normally seated with seat belts secured. The FIA Isolator is a different matter: On open cars it should be situated on the lower main hoop of the Roll-over Bar on the driver's side or at the lower part of the windscreen mounting. That's from the MSA book itself. I'm not quoting the whole rules - I don't want to get into trouble with the MSA copyright lawyers! Surely the whole point of the FIA Isolator is that it is easily found and operated by the marshals. I'd leave it off until after the SVA though. Quote
adhawkins Posted July 6, 2006 Posted July 6, 2006 You sure this applies to sprinting? The rules are likely to be different for racing... Andy Quote
Robandcolin Posted July 6, 2006 Posted July 6, 2006 I always think that SVA radius thing is silly. Youve been run over buy a ruddy great car!! I don't think a sharp bolt will make a hole lot of difference to your well being. Rob Quote
Blatman Posted July 6, 2006 Posted July 6, 2006 QUOTE Surely the whole point of the FIA Isolator is that it is easily found and operated by the marshals. None of whom frequent the roads where Adam is likely to be driving... As a security measure, they're OK as long as the potential tea leaf isn't familiar with them. For a road car they are pretty pointless, and indeed I wouldn't deliberately fit one to a road car if I had a choice. My road car does have one though, but I didn't build it... Besides, I thought Adam was obsessing over weight. I removed the one I had on my sprint car, and the switch and asscoiated cabling when weighed came to about 2Kg's, so unless I can be really well convinced that it does something that the ignition switch doesn't do, it's staying out... Quote
Howard Posted July 6, 2006 Posted July 6, 2006 You sure this applies to sprinting? The rules are likely to be different for racing... Yep. It applies to sprinting. I don't want to be an and start quoting the rule book but the specific regs for sprinting (Section L) item 10.6.3 says An external circuit breaker to Q8 is mandatory for all cars except open cars of periods A-E (Section P) and cars licensed for road use (when it is recommended). So, in short, for road class sprinting you don't need an FIA Isolator but it could be considered a good precaution. It's up to the individual. I fitted one when I registered for the Speed Series because I felt that as a total novice I stood a good chance of stuffing the car into a grass bank . It appears that the positioning is specified and it applies to sprint cars same as any. However, a walk round the paddock shows the switches fitted in various places and the scrutineers clearly have no objection. Mine's fitted below the drivers side mirror on the side of the scuttle. A few inches away from the ignition switch so if the marshals can find the kill switch they could find the ignition switch As Blatters says, it's a bit pointless on a road car unless you want to look racy. Quote
scott beeland Posted July 6, 2006 Posted July 6, 2006 My insurance company considered my cut off switch an immobiliser when looking where we could discount my policy even further Quote
Howard Posted July 6, 2006 Posted July 6, 2006 QUOTE I always think that SVA radius thing is silly. Not 'arf. I failed on the edges of the red rear reflectors(off a bicycle) fitted below my rear lights. Quote
adamnreeves Posted July 6, 2006 Author Posted July 6, 2006 I always think that SVA radius thing is silly. Not 'arf. I failed on the edges of the red rear reflectors(off a bicycle) fitted below my rear lights. That is silly! if you were reversing and hit someone with that reflector edge, that could be well nasty!! Quote
adamnreeves Posted July 7, 2006 Author Posted July 7, 2006 Surely the whole point of the FIA Isolator is that it is easily found and operated by the marshals. None of whom frequent the roads where Adam is likely to be driving... As a security measure, they're OK as long as the potential tea leaf isn't familiar with them. For a road car they are pretty pointless, and indeed I wouldn't deliberately fit one to a road car if I had a choice. My road car does have one though, but I didn't build it... Besides, I thought Adam was obsessing over weight. I removed the one I had on my sprint car, and the switch and asscoiated cabling when weighed came to about 2Kg's, so unless I can be really well convinced that it does something that the ignition switch doesn't do, it's staying out... 2Kgs!! You are right I will spend most of my time on the road but I may get frustrated and want to take my car on the odd track day. I probably will not do any competing so I guess I do not need it? But it does make the car look serious. My view on weight saving has changed a little; if I can reduce weight on standard items at a reasonable or similiar cost then I do it but as you know most of my choices are based on looks! First time I have done anything like this (building a car) and my expectations and ideas change as I go through the process. I do think the switch is a good safety device anyhow and anything that makes the car harder to nick as to be good. Quote
highwayman Posted July 7, 2006 Posted July 7, 2006 I added mine because I saw photos of a roadgoing westy that had had an electrical fire and had gone up very quickly ( 2 mins) to be totalled, which is surely the real point of having the isolator switch. Dave Quote
a4gom Posted July 7, 2006 Posted July 7, 2006 I fitted mine on the dash in front of the passenger, I fitted it for a couple of reasons but chose to fit it there as I didn't want to drill holes in the scuttle or tub, my reasons for fitting (not in any order). 1) a bit of additional security as I don't have a keyed ignition switch. 2) if my vehicle is left for any length of time in the garage the battery looses enough charge to prevent it from starting if I don't catch it the first time presumably due to drain from the immoboliser, its flashing light and the brain. 3) for the small amount of competition I do do the cut of switch is a lot more obvious to anyone who comes to help than a small toggle switch in amongst all the rest. 4) I was fitting a new battery (much lighter version) and replacing the wiring anyway, the position of my battery and the swith mean I've only added approx 2ft of battery cable so the only real weight gain is the switch. Quote
Blatman Posted July 7, 2006 Posted July 7, 2006 But it does make the car look serious. You gotta be kidding. You think the blue car in my sig doesn't look "serious" because it doesn't have a kill switch? Unreal... Quote
adhawkins Posted July 7, 2006 Posted July 7, 2006 You think the blue car in my sig doesn't look "serious" because it doesn't have a kill switch? How can a car look serious with you in the driver's seat? Andy Quote
Blatman Posted July 7, 2006 Posted July 7, 2006 Yeah yeah How about one of Blatgirl at Goodwood? Serious enough? Do let me know when any of your times are faster than hers, and I'll put the car back in the "Not Serious" pile Quote
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