Tow points

[greenandmean]

Don't know if anyone is aware but just received a bulletin from Longton & District that tow points front and rear must be clearly marked for 2011, should be in blue book for 2013. Chris Mansley (old beardie himself) says common sense should be used by scrutineers in so much cars like Westfields could be towed by the roll over bar/cage but must be clearly marked with 2 rows of yellow tape 40cm apart. Clearly putting the onus on the driver if something should happen (like been pulled onto your side) that you told us to tow it there. Tow straps or rope hoops can be used instead of towing eyes if preferred but must be large enough to take the recovery truck's hook.  Hope this helps to prevent any last minute panics in the paddock, according to Longton this will apply to all northern and midland championship meetings. So any Speed Series guys doing 3 Sisters or Aintree get the yellow tape out.

[stephenh]

I think it is in the blue book as well! " Tow Here" on the roll hoop or cage if you have one should do the trick?

[Terry Everall]

Roll cage or bar ok but where 2 rows of tape 40 cm apart?

[John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison]

I think he means 40mm Terry

[SteveD]

I think he means 40 m Terry

sorted  

[tabs23]

My understanding of the latest rules (for circuit racing at least) is that towing on the roll hoop is no longer allowed and you must have proper towing eyes.

Towing on the roll hoop out of gravel traps isn't that easy.

However, I could be misreading it and it may be different for speed events - haven't seen it go past a scrutineer yet.

[Terry Everall]

Just about impossible on my car due to undertray/diffuser etc

[greenandmean]

Roll cage or bar ok but where 2 rows of tape 40 cm apart?

Terry just checked the bulletin and it does say 40cm, but as John implies I think they mean 40mm, just put tape on mine at 40mm so will see if anything is said at Harewood practise day on sunday.

Tabs23 agree towing off the roll bar is not ideal but as Terry says with diffusers etc where do you tow from, I think thats why they have stipulated towing points must be marked if it goes pear shaped you (the driver ) told the recovery crew where to attach the rope.

[Nick Algar - Competition Secretary]

An e-mail to me could have easily sorted this out  

The Northern clubs are adopting the following ruling this year, they are doing so on their own initiative and nothing to do with the MSA. It is now modified as follows :-

(All classes) The vehicle must have a clearly identifiable towing point of adequate strength and size at both front & rear. A suitable point on the roll hoop will generally suffice for open single seat racing cars.

This was relaxed from the initial rule of :-  

(All classes) Towing eyes of adequate strength and size must be fitted to the front and rear of the vehicle. They must be painted a distinctive and contrasting colour. Cars of periods A to F and single seater racing cars are exempt from this requirement subject to a suitable towing point being clearly identified

The intention behind this is to enable Marshall's to know where to tow a car from, and therefore make recovery of cars quicker / easier / safer. But also making the drivers think and then mark where they would like their cars towed from. As part of this process if a driver realises that actually they don't have a safe towing point then they should put one on the car. So for a Westfield the obvious easy answer is to mark the roll bar, however you may prefer somewhere else on your car and that is up to you.

This is a sensible thing to introduce and I would expect that in the fullness of time it is part of the MSA rules.

[Terry Everall]

Good clarification Nick

I think the problem arises when "clubs" introduce non MSA requirements and then we get non standard compliance/scrutineering which annoys everyone

[John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison]

More info here

[Annie]

Good clarification Nick

I think the problem arises when "clubs" introduce non MSA requirements and then we get non standard compliance/scrutineering which annoys everyone

Terry,

Exactly.

It certainly does cause problems when clubs modify the definitions clearly set out in the MSA Blue Book.  

For instance, what about "silhouette" ..........

Annie

[SteveD]

hmmmmmmmmm silhouette

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?....iU-xWMQ

http://rlv.zcache.com/funny_f....400.jpg

clicky