Problem for Road Modified Classes

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by minitici

The 2009 "Modified" class defines:

"82. (a) Modified Limited Production Cars - Must have been originally available through the normal commercial channels of the manufacturer in quantities of not less than 100 vehicles within 12 consecutive months."

Where is this information available?

[Radical]

you obviously don't read Motor Sports Now, where this and all of the other crazy rule changes are published by the MSA.

[SteveM]

Red from my understanding of the past, haveing only returned to motorsport 3 years ago, the mods were allowed and all the top cars are running modified suspension. So why does the rule now need changeing? Is it about the MSA wanting everyone to run standard road cars so they dont have to make roll cages ect mandatory in the class? The class was working, had good numbers competing, over 20 cars at times at harewood , why change it.

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by Radical

you obviously don't read Motor Sports Now, where this and all of the other crazy rule changes are published by the MSA.

They stopped sending me copies of Motorsport Now just over 12 months ago!

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by SteveM

Red from my understanding of the past, haveing only returned to motorsport 3 years ago, the mods were allowed and all the top cars are running modified suspension. So why does the rule now need changeing? Is it about the MSA wanting everyone to run standard road cars so they dont have to make roll cages ect mandatory in the class? The class was working, had good numbers competing, over 20 cars at times at harewood , why change it.

I was wondering when someone would mention rollcages!

It has always baffled me that a Mitsubishi EVO 8, for example, doesn't have to run with a rollcage fitted meanwhile a Mod Prod Mini does! Likewise a Westfield SEight running in Road Modified also doesn't have to have a rollcage! What is the logic behind that!!!

I have sought clarification on the suspension thing and will post details when they are available.

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by Steve Wilkinson

I have sought clarification on the suspension thing and will post details when they are available.

After a swift exchange of emails may I just point out that:

a) No championships will be forced to use MSA classes ever (because there aren't any!).
b) No championships will be forced to use MSA categories in 2009 (they do not become mandatory till 2010)

Hope that helps to clear the air!

[SteveM]

Still not sure where that leaves the question of what you can and cant modify, dont think it really answers it at all. May be i should just go back to sailing, at least there the class rules tell you what you can and cant do, the blue book just leaves it open to diffrent Interpretation. I always thought that provided you did not cut or move the mounting points and you did not change the suspention type you could change springs ,dampers ect?
If not then i think 90% of the cars out there are going to have a problem.
In the end who wants to try to compete in a car that wallows arround the road, and by that very fact you are at greater risk of going off the road?

[Steve Wilkinson]

Originally Posted by SteveM

Still not sure where that leaves the question of what you can and cant modify, dont think it really answers it at all. May be i should just go back to sailing, at least there the class rules tell you what you can and cant do, the blue book just leaves it open to diffrent Interpretation. I always thought that provided you did not cut or move the mounting points and you did not change the suspention type you could change springs ,dampers ect?
If not then i think 90% of the cars out there are going to have a problem.
In the end who wants to try to compete in a car that wallows arround the road, and by that very fact you are at greater risk of going off the road?

The wording of I.80 has remained unaltered since the introduction of the Roadgoing Categories into the Blue Book in 2004.

[SteveM]

Configuration has been taken to mean you cant change the supention type, ie leaf springs to coils, so most cars are running some kind of mods even if only spring rate and dampers, most are lowered, so what now?

[redturner37]

Originally Posted by SteveM

Red from my understanding of the past, haveing only returned to motorsport 3 years ago, the mods were allowed and all the top cars are running modified suspension. So why does the rule now need changeing? Is it about the MSA wanting everyone to run standard road cars so they dont have to make roll cages ect mandatory in the class? The class was working, had good numbers competing, over 20 cars at times at harewood , why change it.

The ruling on altering the position of suspension mounts hasn't changed and a spherical bearing alters the position of the mounting. I can understand why guys want to alter there cars, and your point about having full classes is taken, but people ARE driving unmodified cars and having fun without wallowing all over the track. As for going back to sailing, dont. Had enough cold nights in the middle of the North Sea to last the rest of my life, thats why I came back to motorsport.