Funny debate in Spec E30

[Dave]

So make a request to the series directors for a clarification before you thumb your nose at them with your juvenile attempt to exploit the alleged loophole.

:shrug:

[Dave]

If there is no rule clarification on this issue, which I think was his point all along, what's stopping someone from running the stock spare, 50 lbs of stock sound deadening (which at least one racer brought up as a possible safety issue in an accident), and a 100 lb battery to get better corner weights?

Absolutely nothing, because that is clearly within the rules.

[rwh11385]

But look at all the added traffic that is going to GRM website!

[PiercedE30]

Yea, the minimum weight is ridiculously high in SE30. Hell, my car with full interior, without me is ~2640. Thats with a heavier motor up front.

[jlevie]

I'm of the opinion that the ballast rules for Spec E30 could stand improvement. I think a better rule would be that the car must meet minimum weight (2750lb) and that ballast can me securely mounted anywhere. By limiting placement you simply encourage creative interpretation of the rules, like:

A spare is allowed, as is sound deadening material. But the rules don't say that the spare has to fit the car... Nor does it say that you can't fill the spare with concrete, or any other heavy material.

The rules allow a rear shock tower brace, but say nothing about its construction. So a rear brace that has a six inch solid steel bar would be legal.

[DCColegrove]

Not much of anything about "spec e30" makes much sense to me...but then I'm an old GT guy.

[jblack]

Yea, the minimum weight is ridiculously high in SE30. Hell, my car with full interior, without me is ~2640. Thats with a heavier motor up front.

Interesting. What does your roll cage look like?

[PiercedE30]

Unfortunately, I don't have one since it's a street car at the moment. I am planning on putting a rear cage in at some point in the next year or so.

[Jordan325iC]

So make a request to the series directors for a clarification before you thumb your nose at them with your juvenile attempt to exploit the alleged loophole.

:shrug:

That would not be half as humorous.

[MPD47]

Doesnt look like grey area to me, it says "spare wheel" not "spare wheel with weights welded on." If I was the scrut. I wouldnt have let them race.

[Stu]

Doesnt look like grey area to me, it says "spare wheel" not "spare wheel with weights welded on. If I was the scrut. I wouldnt have let them race.

How is it not a grey area? There are two different mandates; one defining ballast in the passenger wheel well and one defining ballast in the form of a spare wheel/tire. It doesn't say what the spare wheel must weigh, or that it must be able to be used as a roller tire.

Either way, after a couple weekends, Carter and the rest of the gang will be sure to clarify the rulebook to keep this sort of thing out. :D

[MPD47]

Granted, I have not read the Spec e30 rule book (though I am current on the spec 944 rules ;)) however the exerpt posted on the GRM page reads:

“9.2.2. A car found to be underweight after a qualifying session shall (3.1) have securely mounted ballast installed in the passenger compartment to meet the minimum weight requirement without exceeding the maximum ballast weight allowed. Alternatively, a spare tire may (3.1) be placed in the spare tire well and appropriately secured. The car shall (3.1) start at the back of the grid for the race if it meets the minimum weight requirement.”

That to me does NOT read, place ballast in the wheel well. As a matter of fact it reads to me that it is specifically NOT allowed. I would've been much happier if they had used a spare tire, and filled the tire on the wheel with cement. That would've been much sneakier and less "oh hey I tacked on ballast weights to my wheel".

[155///MPH]

I would've been much happier if they had used a spare tire, and filled the tire on the wheel with cement. That would've been much sneakier and less "oh hey I tacked on ballast weights to my wheel".

You've missed the whole point of the excercise. GRM was TRYING to point out the inequity of the rule. As it reads, what they did was NOT illegal. I think it was well beyond the spirit of the rules, but certainly not illegal.

If you want to strictly interpret the rules, the rule state that a "spare TIRE" may be place in the trunk. It makes no mention of a wheel at all.

Hell, that is a minor rule loophole anyway. As I stated on the SE30 board, wait until someone with a serious wallet starts exploiting the drivetrain grey areas.

[155///MPH]

So make a request to the series directors for a clarification before you thumb your nose at them with your juvenile attempt to exploit the alleged loophole.

:shrug:

Obviously you don't know many racers.....

[rwh11385]

More importantly... what is it going to take to get Scott within everyone's A-OKAY? Oh, removing that joke and replacing it with a runable spare. Point made, some feathers ruffled, but all in good fun and to show where someone could take advantage with a heavy spare.