Oval Express Magazine Proudly Presents the

Transcription

1 THE VlCTORIAN FORMULA 500 ASSOCIATION With the support of Oval Express Magazine Proudly Presents the Formula 500 Series 2008/2009 ( Controlled by the Victorian Formula 500 Association Inc )... DRIVERS... INFORMATION KIT & ENTRY DETAILS

2 OVAL EXPRESS FORMULA 500 SERIES The Victorian Formula 500 Association is pleased to announce that the 2008/2009 Oval Express series is finalised. The series will once again this year be known, as the Oval Express Formula 500 Series. We thank Jon Evans, Phil and Michelle Jordison at Oval Express Magazine in Melbourne for their continued valuable support of Australia s major Formula 500 series. The series will consist of: Round 1 at Murray Bridge Speedway Murray Bridge on December 27 th Round 2 at Borderline Speedway Mount Gambier on December 28 th Round 3 at Western Speedway Hamilton on December 30 th Round 4 at Sungold Stadium Warrnambool on January 1 st Series Final at Laang Speedway, Laang on January 3 rd and 4 th Entry: All competitors must complete the attached entry form, driver s hobby/business declaration, driver profile and payment of appropriate fees before being accepted into any race in the series. The Victorian Formula 500 association reserves the right to accept or reject any entry. Entry for a single round: Competitors can enter one or a number of rounds by filling out an entry form and driver profile and paying a $75 entry fee for rounds 1 to 4 or paying $ entry fee for the series final (nonrefundable) prior to 1 st December This does NOT include transponder hire if applicable. Entry for the entire Series: Competitors can enter as a full series entrant by filling out the entry form and driver profile and returning it to the series co-ordinator by 1 st December. The cost for a full series entrant will be $300 (non-refundable). This does NOT include transponder hire if applicable. NOTE: No entry will be confirmed until the closing date. All entrants will be notified (by if available) whether their entry has been accepted or not. If unsuccessful your entry fee will be refunded ASAP. The Victorian Formula 500 association reserves the right to accept or reject any entry as it may see fit. The nomination cut off date is 8pm on the Sunday 1 st December for ALL rounds. A complete entry list will be posted on the Formula 500 web site as soon as all entries are received and accepted. The 2008/2009 Oval Express series will be run under the Australian Formula 500 Association racing rules and these supplementary regulations. Late Entries: Late entries MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED. Any drivers whose entry form reaches the co-ordinator after the deadline, will be deemed as a late entry. All late entries will start all heats from the rear. (It is a good idea to allow 7 working days to make sure your entry reaches the co-ordinator on time).

3 IMPORTANT: WITHDRAWING FROM A SERIES ROUND: If any driver cannot attend a round for what ever reason, they MUST contact the series co-ordinator as soon as possible. Sign In: All drivers will be required to sign in with the series co-ordinator before the sign-in deadline time. The sign-in sheet will be with the co-ordinator or an assistant (usually located at the series trailer ) at each round of the series. SIGN IN DEADLINE WILL BE APPROXIMATELY 90 MINUTES BEFORE THE ADVERTISED START TIME OF THE RACE MEETING. SEE DRIVERS INFORMATION SHEET ATTACHED. Any driver who does not sign in on race night by the cut off time will start all heats from the rear (NO EXCUSES) Bonus Points: Each driver who signs in before the deadline will receive 10 bonus points. Any driver who does not fill in the drivers profile prior to round 1 will not receive their 10 bonus points. Bonus points will be applied prior to the first heat race. Presentations Presentations will be held after each round for each driver placed 1 st to 4 th in the final. These drivers are to attend presentations in full race suit including racing footwear but (without helmet, gloves). Any driver attending presentations in other than race suit will lose their 10 bonus points for that night. CONTROL TYRE As part of the sponsorship from Max Dumsney a Right Rear control tyre will be used this year. The tyre is an RD15 Hoosier either 69 X 10 X 10 or 65 X 10 X 10. This must be purchased from Max Dumsney Motorsport and will be marked appropriately to indicate it is the control tyre. This tyre must be used at all Oval Express rounds. Any car fitted with a non control RR tyre at any stage during the race meeting (including practice) will not be eligible for prizemoney, points or trophies for that night. ** NO EXCUSES** Note: Don t put anything else in your trailer and you won t get caught out. Tyre warmers are not permitted during the Oval Express series. Note: Any car using tyre warmers will not be eligible for trophies, points or prize money. STICKER KITS and SEW on PATCHES Sticker kits will be provided at Round 1. The layout for the stickers is attached to this driver s kit. Any car not carrying the required stickers or sew on patch during the nights racing will be ineligible for series prizes and prize money. Spare stickers will be available from the series trailer in the event of damaged wings and body panels. Sew on patches will be mailed to drivers prior to round 1.

4 TRANSPONDERS and RACECEIVERS Electronic timing (Transponders) and Raceceivers will be used at all rounds and all cars must have them fitted in order to race. Drivers are responsible for providing their own Transponder, Raceceiver and ear pieces. Transponders used will be AMB TranX 260 transponders. Drivers will be responsible for lost or damaged transponders or any transponder not returned. This must be paid with your entry form. Transponders are available for Hire at $15.00 per night (or $20.00 for series final) for any driver not wishing to purchase their own. If you own your own transponder please provide the seven digit serial number on your entry form. Drivers who own their own transponder are to ensure they are charged prior to any the race meeting. Any car not having a working transponder will not be lap scored. Transponder to be mounted to cars in accordance with rule 22 Formula 500 Specifications. Any car crossing the start finish line under the pole line may not be lap scored. In all cases where electronic timing is used the transponder loop will be considered to be the start finish line. A small number of Raceceivers will be available for purchase at Round 1 but drivers need to ensure they have them prior to entering the series. NOTE: No Raceceiver no racing. All drivers will be issued with a new battery for their Raceceiver each night at no cost. Any driver wishing to purchase either a Raceceiver or Transponder should contact Chris Olsson on (03) prior to submitting your Oval Express entry form. All race results will be able to be viewed on after the meeting. Raceceivers can also be purchased from McCall Communications in Melbourne. Transponders can also be purchased from AMB Australia in Sydney. Lap scoring numbers are to be maintained in accordance with rule 19b of the Formula 500 Specifications. PROTECTION FOR CARBURETORS ON 600 cc LEFT HANDED ENGINE CARS The Victorian association has, as a result of a recent serious fire, decided to mandate the use of a protection bar around the carburettors of any 600cc car with the engine mounted on the left hand side. See attachment to sup regs. NOTE: All cars that comply with this rule will receive a 50 point bonus. Any car that this rule does not apply to, will automatically receive the bonus points. CARS ENTERED There is a maximum of 48 cars that will be accepted for the Rounds 1, 2 and 4 ie (those we run with World Series Sprintcars). There is no limit at rounds held at Hamilton and Laang. Preference will be given to series contracted drivers at rounds 1, 2 and 4. RACE STARTS All races shall be 2 wide starts. Knoxville line may be used. In accordance with Rule 155e all races will start Indian file if stopped after one completed lap (as electronic timing and lap scoring will be used on all races). Any car that is the primary cause of 2 stoppages will be excluded from that race.

5 OVAL EXPRESS SERIES FORMAT NOTE: THIS HAS CHANGED THIS YEAR ROUND 1: - Murray Bridge and ROUND 2 - Mt Gambier Saturday 27 th Dec and Sunday 28 th Dec Each driver will get only one heat per night. One heat per Car. 16 Cars per heat maximum. Heat races will be 12 laps. Heats will be drawn randomly for Round 1. Round 2 heats will be a reverse grid order of Round 1(Murray Bridge) heats. The first 4 place getters in each heat will go directly to the A-Main. Starting position for these drivers will be determined by the fastest lap time in the heats. ie. the 3 heat winners will be graded fastest to slowest and fill positions 1, 2 and 3. The 3 second place getters will be graded and fill 4, 5 and 6 etc. The remaining drivers will be seeded into a C main and B main respectively. The first 8 drivers will transfer from the C main to the B main and the first 8 drivers will also transfer from the B main to the A, B and C main will be 20 cars each. The drivers, who finished fifth sixth seventh or eighth in their heat races, will be placed into the B main. Starting position for these drivers will be determined by the fastest lap time in the heats. ie the 3 5 th place getters will be graded fastest to slowest and fill positions 1, 2 and 3 in the B main. The 3 sixth place getters will be graded and fill 4, 5 and 6 etc (as above). The remaining cars will be placed in the C main with positions allocated in the same way as the A main and B main. NOTE: Any race that exceeds the following time frames will be declared. Heats and C Main 8 minutes. B Main 10 minutes and A Main 20 Minutes. ROUND 3 Hamilton Tuesday 30 th Dec 2008 Each driver will get 3 heats (1 front draw, one middle draw and a rear draw). Maximum 16 Cars per heat. Heat races will be 10 laps. The 16 cars with the highest points after all heat races will go directly into the A-Main (highest points to pole). The next 20 cars will go into the B main with the first 4 cars transferring to the A-Main. The B main will have 20 cars and be 12 laps. There will be no C main. ROUND 4 Warrnambool Thursday 1 st Jan 2009 Each driver will get 2 heats. The first round of heats will be drawn randomly and the second round inverted from the first round of heats. Maximum 16 Cars per heat. Heat races will be 10 laps.

6 The top 16 cars will go directly into the A-Main. The next 20 cars will go into the B main with the first 4 cars transferring to the A-Main. The A main will have 20 cars and be 20 Laps. The B main will have 20 cars and be 12 laps. There will be no C main. SERIES FINAL -Laang Note: This is one round run over 2 nights. Night 1 - Saturday 3 rd Jan 08 Each driver will get 2 heats The first heat will be randomly drawn and the second heat draw will be an inversion of heat 1 grid draw. Maximum 14 Cars per heat. Heat races will be 10 laps. Feature Line Up night 1: The top 16 point cars will transfer directly into the A-Main. The next 16 cars will go into the B main with the first 4 cars transferring to the A-Main. The next 20 cars will go into the C main with the first 4 cars transferring to the B-Main. Feature line up will be determined by points accumulated in heats (as appropriate) with top point scoring car starting off pole. A Main 20 cars and be 20 Laps. B Main 20 cars and be 15 Laps C Main 20 cars and be 12 Laps. There will be no prizemoney or trophies on night 1. Night 2 Sunday 4 th Jan 08 Each driver will get 3 heats, consisting of front, middle and rear. Heats 10 Laps. Feature Line Up night 2: Heat points plus A, B and C Main on night 1 will be added to the heat points on night 2 to determine the starting position in the A and B mains on night 2. The top 16 point cars will transfer directly into the A-Main. The next 20 cars will go into the B main with the first 4 cars transferring to the A-Main. Feature line up will be determined by points accumulated in heats (as appropriate) with top point scoring car starting off pole. The A main will have 20 cars and be 35 laps. The B main will have 20 cars and be 20 laps. There will be no C main. Note: - Night 2 A Main and B Main will attract double points and double prizemoney. Double points go toward the championship series point s total. Tied Points for all nights ANY TIED POINTS WILL BE DETERMINED BY FASTEST LAP TIME ON THE NIGHT AS DETERMINED BY THE TIMING SYSTEM. There will be no reserves on any night. In accordance with Rule 158 Cars cannot be substituted after the first heat on any round of the series. This includes the series final (2 nights).

7 All heats will attract the following points: POINTS (this applies to all rounds) 1 st 15 points, 2 nd 14 points, 3 rd 13 points, 4 th 12 points, Etc 15 th 1 point. You must finish your heat to be eligible for points. Points will be awarded on all mains as follows: C Main (for round 1 & 2 only and Night 1 of Series Final) The cars that transfer to the B main get B Main points but not C main points. The next car not to transfer will receive 18 points the next 16 the next 14 etc to zero. B Main The cars that transfer to the A get A Main points but not B main points. The next car not to transfer will receive 50 points the next 48 the next 46 etc. All cars that start but do not finish the B main will receive 20 points. A Main 1 ST 90 Points second 88 points third 86 etc. All cars that start but do not finish the A main will receive 52 points. Note: Drivers who cannot maintain a reasonable race pace due to car problems are not permitted to roll around the track during the race and must pull infield. This applies to all races. Series Winner: The winner of the Oval Express Series will be the driver who has amassed the highest number of points at the completion of all the contested rounds (regardless of how many there might be). In the event of drivers with the same amount of points at the end of the series, there will be no ties. Tied points will be split by most feature wins if still tied feature 2nds, etc. until the tie is split. The same will occur with all tied positions. Cars Entered: There is a maximum of 48 cars that will be accepted for rounds 1, 2 and 4. Round 3 and the series final have no maximum of entries. Lapped Cars: On all race restarts lapped cars will take their place at the rear of the field. Practice: We have asked each track promoter for a practice session which may be given half an hour prior to the race meeting. Licences: Each driver wishing to compete must hold a current valid Formula 500 Licence issued in Australia (this includes NASR licence).

8 Prize Money - RACE NIGHT: A Main 1 st $550 2 nd $400 3 rd $300 4 th $250 5 th $190 6 th $150 7 th $150 8 th to 10 th $ th to 20 th $50.00 Any car not finishing the A main will receive $50.00 B Main: Those cars transferring get A- Main prizemoney remainder get $30.00 prizemoney. There is no prizemoney on C main Prize money for A Main and B Main of the series final will attract double prizemoney. End of Series Prize Money: There will be approximately $4000 to be paid to the top 10 drivers at the end of the Series. Prize Draws There will be contingency prizes drawn each night TBA. Product prizes - end of series. There will be end of series product prizes TBA. Phil Jordison Photography will reward the first 3 place getters in the series with a Block mounted poster print of their race car. SERIES PRESENTATIONS The series presentations will be held after the final night 2 at Laang. There will be a free barbeque in the pits at Laang at the end of night 2 of the series final. Driver Profiles: Please fill in the driver profile form. This is important for the promotion of your sponsors at the track. Please fill in the hobby / declaration form if you have not filled one out this year.

9 OVAL EXPRESS Formula 500 Series DRIVER ENTRY INFORMATION PLEASE KEEP THIS SHEET IN A SAFE PLACE FOR FAST AND EASY REFERENCE Series Co-ordinators Ken and Cheryl Willsher Ph (03) or Chris Olsson Ph (03) ABN DRIVERS INFORMATION SHEET The Victorian Formula 500 association reserves the right to accept or reject any entry as it may see fit. DATE TRACK SIGN-IN DEADLINE RACE TIME 27 th December MURRAY BRIDGE 5:00pm Note: Local SA time 6:30pm Note: Local SA time 28 th December MT GAMBIER 5:00pm Note: Local SA time 6:30pm Note: Local SA time 30 th December HAMILTON 5:00pm 6:30pm 1 st Jan 2009 SUNGOLD STADIUM 5.00 pm 6:30pm WARRNAMBOOL 3 rd Jan LAANG 4:30pm 6:30pm 4 th Jan LAANG 4:30pm 6:30pm Racing starts approximately 90 minutes after sign-in deadline. Practice may be held after sign-in and before the race meeting starts. Only drivers who have nominated on time and are signed in at the series trailer on time will start in their drawn heat position. Any drivers who have not signed in on time will start all heats from REAR OF FIELD. DON T FORGET ALL entrants must enter with the series entry form filled out and must reach the Victorian F500 Assn prior to the closing date of 1 st December 2008.

10 OVAL EXPRESS Formula 500 Series OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM SINGLE ROUND ENTRANTS I wish to enter round number/s. of the Oval Express Series I enclose $75 per round (plus $15 for transponder hire if applicable) for the fees above) Or I enclose $100 for entry to series final (plus $20 for transponder hire if applicable) or FULL SERIES ENTRANTS I wish to enter all rounds of the Oval Express Series as a contracted driver. I understand if I am unable to contest a particular round I need to contact the series co-ordinators. (I enclose the $300.) fee for a full series entrant) (plus $80 for transponder hire if applicable). (TICK ONE) Drivers Name:.. Transponder number (if applicable) Mailing Address:.... Post Code:. Phone no. AH ( ) BH ( ) Mob. Club.. Car no.. Licence No..... Log Book No... address I agree with terms and conditions and Sup regs of the 2008/2009 Victorian Formula 500 drivers series (Oval Express series) and have included the signed GST declaration form and drivers profile. I also agree that my entry into the series must be accepted by the Victorian Formula 500 association Inc and that I will be notified ASAP after 1 st Dec 2008 to confirm acceptance or not. Drivers Signature: Date: Parent/Guardian Signature if driver under 18: Cheques are to be made payable to: Victorian Formula 500 Drivers series Send entry form and fees to: Victorian Formula 500 Association PO Box 141 Laverton 3028 NOTE: All drivers please provide a mobile number if contact is required during series. In case of rainouts etc. IMPORTANT: Entry forms must be completed and correctly filled in and sent with required fees to the Victorian Formula 500 Association by December 1 st Entries received after this date will be considered as late entries. ENTRIES CLOSE LAST MAIL 1 st DECEMBER (NOTE: A full list of entries will be posted on prior to on 8 Dec 08). Any driver who s entry is not accepted will be notified prior to 8 Dec 08.

11 Victorian Formula 500 Association Inc. ABN Please Note: The Victorian Formula 500 Association Inc. must have a completed Declaration Form A or B below before it will pay any prize money or prizes to any supplier / driver. This form relates to the period of the 2008 / 2009 race season. PRIVATE RECREATIONAL PURSUIT OR HOBBY DECLARATION FORM A Supplied to: The Victorian Formula 500 Association Inc. Address: Secretary 6 Norma St Diamond Creek 3089 Description of Goods: Prize Money and Product Prizes Description of Service Supplied: Speedway Racing Entertainment DECLARATION I hereby declare that the above supply is private or domestic in nature, or relates to a hobby. SUPPLIER Print Name: Address: Signature: Date:../../.. PURCHASER Victorian Formula 500 Association Inc. 6 Norma Street Diamond Creek 3089 Signature: Date: BUSINESS OR ENTERPRISE - DECLARATION FORM B Supplied to: The Victorian Formula 500 Association Inc. Address: Secretary 6 Norma St Diamond Creek 3089 DECLARATION I hereby declare that the above supply is of an Enterprise or Business nature. SUPPLIER PURCHASER Print Name: Victorian Formula 500 Association Inc. Address: 6 Norma Street Diamond Creek 3089 ABN No. ABN No Signature: Signature: Date:../../.. Date:

12 Driver s Name: OVAL EXPRESS Formula 500 Series DRIVER PROFILE State and Car No. Age: Nick-name & why: Married / Relationship: Children: Occupation: Years racing F500 s: Pit Crew Names: Sponsors: Brand of Chassis: Make of Engine: Other Classes Raced: Best Speedway Moment: Favourite Track/s: Favourite Speedway Driver: Type of Road car you drive: Favourite Food:

13 Favourite Drink: What sporting event would you most like to attend? If I won a million dollars I would? Who is the biggest influence on your racing career & why If you could invite four people to lunch who would they be? Why do you race F500 s?

14 Important Safety Equipment Information This article is important for drivers who want to race in Victorian Racing Series This Season. Some things will be different and you need to know now! For the coming Racing Season the Victorian F500 Association will be insisting that all competitors in the racing they organize have added protection for their motor which is not included in the national rule book. Carburetor Guard All cars that have a Left Hand mounted 4 stroke engine must have a guard in place to effectively protect the carburetors and filters. The guard is to be attached to the frame of the car by a minimum of 3 spuds, 2 behind the carburetors and one in front. These spuds are recommended to be of welded chromium molybdenum to match the chassis. A clamping option is acceptable if the clamp is engineered to retain its own integrity and prevent the nerf bar detaching in a collision. The guard is to be of welded tubing construction and detachable at the chassis for carburetor access. - minimum diameter 3/4 inch and.065 inch wall thickness - maximum diameter 7/8 inch and.083 inch wall thickness Nerf Bar preferred material is chromium molybdenum however stainless steel tubing is acceptable. WHY? The Background! By now most of our members will have heard about a disturbing number of car fires that have occurred the season. The Victorian Club became aware of four separate incidents and witnessed a number of fuel spills. This has caused a lot of concern and discussion and prompted this article. Not very Funny! The first fire event has only lately been told to me and I am not sure of the circumstances but the story goes that the driver got out of his car grabbed a track extinguisher and put the fire out himself. It all seemed OK until..! The second fire happened to John Pearson after his rear axle was hit by another car, his panhard bar failed and the axle moved across allowing the chain to sever his fuel line. While he waited for the other cars to halt he sat in the car and was unaware there was a fire until he felt the heat and saw flames. On later inspection it was found that this was a set of circumstances that could not be easily foreseen. The fuel line was positioned to be protected from contact with the ground, normal axle travel etc. but once the panhard bar broke the line became vulnerable as the axle moved sideways. This is a reminder of how important it is to think about where all vulnerable components are placed. There is hardly a part of a racecar that could not create a situation that results in injury. Once John realised there was a fire we were all surprised at how long it actually took to get out of the car. All drivers should actually practice getting out of the car. In a panic situation valuable time will be lost if you can t remove the wheel and release your belts instinctively After John s incident Kevin Freeman purchased fire extinguishers to go onto the Quad bike as it is easy for it to be at an accident first and time could be vital. He presented them at the start of the Laang Stampede round but they could not be effectively mounted before the meeting. In hindsight we should have given it a better try as we had two fires during that meeting! That Could have Been Bad Third Fire. Grant Pearson is tipped onto his RHS and a fire starts on the motor. The first track personnel at the scene do not have extinguishers and they are worried that he cannot get out of the car in this position, so they stand it up and the car crashes onto its wheels. Grant was not amused because by this time he was partway out of the car and felt like he had crashed twice. An extinguisher is next on the scene and fire is out quickly. I am told this was an oil fire from a punctured oil filter. In the end it looked very dangerous (it was!) but the fire damage was minor and Grant actually raced later that night. This does highlight another potential risk. If the hot oil had run onto him, the racing suit would not have kept it from soaking through the fabric. The suits we use are designed to protect from flame but are less

15 effective when liquids are present This is my cue to remind you about firewalls that should be as complete and free of holes as possible so that flames and fluids are kept away from the driver. Radiator hoses should also be well secured and positioned so they should never sustain damage. Nobody wants a situation where a leak or damage can dump fluids and injure the driver. Now This One was Really Scary!! Clint Walkinshaw took a hit on the LHS of the car and the carburetors were knocked off the motor and broken. The other car came to rest with its right rear tyre beside his left arm. A fuel fire erupted. He was able to switch the motor off and get his belts wheel etc. off quickly. That was good but he could not get out of the left of the car because of other car was resting there. He attempted to get out forward across the bonnet but the rock shield was too low to squeeze past and he couldn t knock it off. Kevin Freeman was on the infield and ran to the car, saw what was going on and removed the clips on the overhead wing so that Clint could get out that way. Thanks again Kevin. Most of Clint s gear shows that it has been near a fire. There is damage or evidence of heat to the wiring loom, belts, race suit, gloves, fuel lines and cables. Some of the tear-offs have melted and stuck to the visor although the helmet may have survived. The safety equipment is going to be checked by qualified people and some items may be judged to be OK but chances are that some will need to be replaced. Clint has had a close call and we all got a fright. We all need to see if things can be improved to prevent this in future. What? Me Worry? There are a lot of concerns here. -A fuel fire around the carbs is close to the driver as they are situated on the top of the motor. - On many of our cars the driver must climb over the motor (thru flame?) to get out. -A damaged (or upside down!) carburetor may not stop the flow of fuel, especially if an electric fuel pump continues to pump. -If the driver is unconscious or simply disoriented he may not be able to switch the fuel pump off. (The pump should of course be wired into the ignition kill switch and well marked!) -In a fire driver panic affects the ability to exit the car quickly (wheel, belts etc.) -In a panic do you hold your breath or yell and hyperventilate? I hate to think how it would feel to breathe flame! -Could flame get past the car s firewall? What if a fire started at race speed, where would the flames be pushed? -If your carbs are dislodged the fuel line may come off. Is your connection secure enough or it the next weakest link? Would you be safer to use proprietary fittings (Earls, Speedflow etc.)? - Can anybody run up to your car and see how your wing unclips? Could it get damaged and jam? - Have you ever raced without the flame proof underwear or balaclava you should have worn? - OH&S are making some tracks erect barriers between the rescue crews and the track. This doesn t help the officials to get to you, so better safety gear should sound like a good idea. What is Being Done About the Fire risk? The situation needs attention as no matter how important our racing may seem it cannot compare to personal injury. Extinguishers After the meeting when John had his fright we have fitted two extinguishers on the quad bike the club has on the infield. This is a valuable backup to the track guys as the bike can usually get to an accident much faster than them.. New Car Regulation At the season s end there was a lot of discussion going around, proving that this subject was obviously on everybody s minds. An option that is used in the US was put forward and can be seen in some photos that Chris Olsson had sourced. It was pointed out that logically, the fire hazard should not occur if the carburetors remained intact and in their correct position. This has prompted the Victorian Association to pass a ruling that Victorian cars will be required to have a nerf bar fitted make accident damage to the carburetors much less likely. The Victorian Association cannot, of course make this a National rule but the issue is so serious that we will start here and hope that we can introduce it for the OVAL express Series and the Stallard Stampede Series and eventually see it adopted everywhere.

16 This guard will of course need to vary from car to car as frames and configurations vary. The Vic Association would encourage all teams to fit a guard like the one specified but at present we have only targeted 4 stroke LHS motors as they present a greater problem since the driver gets in and out of the car on the LHS and the 4 stroke engines have the bank of carbs mounted high and vulnerable to damage. The filters need protection as well because in most cases the rubber inlet manifold is long and flexible while the filter base is short and more rigid. The filters do not seem to come free of the carburetors in a collision. The suggested arrangement would be a miniature nerf bar with 2 mounts behind the carburetors and one (possibly angled towards the rear) at the front. This may not be possible on some cars and so allowance will be given on the way it is constructed as long as it can be seen to protect adequately. It is expected that the guard will be attached by bolts, R-clips etc to allow it to detach so work can be performed on the motor and carburetors. This photo is a fair example of what the new ruling is asking for. Be sure that after a run of problems rules that relate to fire safety. Proper firewalls, taps, switches and their markings will get extra attention. For your own sake make sure your safety gear is all up to the job. Don t be so dumb as to think that if an official doesn t catch you it ll be OK. Contrary to the saying, Chicks don t love scars!! A specification will be put to the AGM to mandate these guards on all Australian cars in the future. To encourage all drivers to comply there will be points awarded to drivers who have the bar correctly installed. Check the entry pack! As part of the strategy to include the nerfs on cars competing from places outside Victoria the decision was made to allow the chassis mounts to be clamped on. To illustrate the sort of clamping arrangement the Association would be happy with we include a diagram that Darren Mollenouyux has supplied. By all means source or fabricate your own but he is tooling up to do a production run of these clamps so that teams can get onto this Nerf arrangement ASAP. Sizes to fit over 1 or 1¼ inch Chassis and inside ¾ inch x1.6mm wall tubing. Approx $30 ea. If you are interested call him straight away with the chassis diameters that you need so that you don t miss the boat. You can contact Darren at SWIFT RACING PRODUCTS or swift@westvic.com.au If this article hasn t answered all your questions call Chris Olsson, Ken Willsher or Paul Stevenson

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