New Speed Classes for 2010
After a great deal of work consulting all major Clubs & Championships, we have finally been given the go ahead by the MSA to implement the “Northern Speed Classes” so we have now finalised the full class structure & clarifications that will be used by the majority of speed events in the Northwest, Northeast and Midlands in 2010.
Please note that whilst all clubs listed will be using these clarifications, we have tried to get all clubs to also use the classes as listed but there are still a few clubs who have decided not to adopt them just yet, whilst others may add extra classes or amalgamate some of those shown in order to accommodate local practice. The structure is being adopted voluntarily so, whilst we have requested that all clubs/championships keep to the same class numbering system, we cannot compel them to do so. If you find a club or championship that is not using the new structure, why not suggest (strongly) to the organisers that it would be a good idea for them to adopt them?
We welcome feedback on your experiences during the year so that we can tell how successful the classes have been, and can consider any minor tweaks that may be required for 2011.
Last update was on the 30th November 2009
You can find the full details by clicking here
These changes mainly effect those competing in the Roadgoing classes, please read them carefully before preparing your car for 2010.
I totally agree with the above, I moved to modified last season to be more competitve due to the severley modified cars in Roadgoing. For me Road going should be as it says ‘an every day used Road car’
Is there such thing as a Specific Scruiteneering day? New comers like myself would really appreciate this type of thing.
If you intend on listing every legal modification then you are in for a rollercoaster of a ride.
For instance, you have already forgotten about springs in suspension.
Engine wise, electronics are not included in the BlueBook so that makes mods to them illegal. I.e. changing you ECU for a motorsport version or a programable version such as an Emerald and what about the fuzzy area of ECU software upgrades.
You will have to list all of that as well.
The list will go on and on and on.
I don’t agree with this at all if this is the logic – why – because it will stifle innovation and pushing the boundaries. You won’t be able to do anything new because it isn’t in the bluebook.
I.e. what happens when people start racing hybrid or electric cars, the mods to those will be entirely different to what has gone before.
I think Ians last post says it all.
This is exactly what we are trying to achieve.
We have never had any intention of re-writing the Blue Book
Please read I77 this lists induction as being free and covers most of what you say.
We are just trying to attract newcomers and to try and make it easier for them to get into our sport without having to spend lots to become competitive as this was what was happening under the original regs. Entry numbers have been dropping dramatically in the road going classes over the last five or six years and we are convinced that this has caused by steep rises in preparation costs in making their cars competitive. I will add springs to the sentence re: dampers.
If you want to modify your car further than you will find that the freedom on offer in the Modified Car and Sports libre classes will probably be the road to go down.
I am hoping to compete next season so I am currently in the process of finding a suitable championship to enter a >1400cc road legal sports car, I thought it would fall into class 1a, however it now looks like S1…am I correct?
Am I right in thinking I would have to remove my “bolt on” front strut brace in this class?
It all gets confusing for newcomers so thanks in advance for any guidance given.
Hi SX306
If you wish to enter in the Standard Car class then yes you will have to remove the strut brace.
You would also have to conform to all the other limitations for those classes to be eligible.
These are primarily designed as a low cost entry into sprinting and hillclimbing.
If i have opened a can of worms i apologise, as i am New i need to understand what i am competeing against and hopefully a level footing.
As i said in a previous post, I changed to Modified last season to enable me to be competitive, List 1b tyres allowed me to gain ground in corner speed. An identical make of car as mine in Roadgoing Class at Anglesey was 9 seconds faster over the 2 lap sprint. I may be inexperienced but i am not that slow a driver.
Ian
It has been a can of worms for years.
This is the reason we have carried out this exercise which is meant to help with levelling the playing field which it has not been for years.
The changes to the regs in the Blue Book in 2010 has allowed us to do this and it should be same country wide. This is why there has been so much be said here.
The goalposts have changed and it should be easier to police in the future.
Unfortunately the Blue Book leaves so much to interpretation and we have tried our best to clarify what is meant.
We are also awaiting feedback from the MSA on what we are trying to achieve.
Hi there,
Any thoughts on most of the existing people in road-going (modified) that you are now going to make illegal ?
You say numbers are dwindling what do you want to do get rid of everyone that is already there? finish it off?
Mod-Prod is a totally different kettle of fish, its stripped out tin boxes bearing little resemblance to a real car, i.e. plastic windows, whole fronts of the car that pull off and so on.
I am sorry Dane but it is not us that are changing the rules it is the governing body for motorsport in the UK namely the MSA.
Everyone has know about the changes that were coming for at least eighteen months to two years, they were voluntary for 2009 but are now mandatory from the 1st Jan 2010.
This is why we have spent the last three months coming up with the classes and clarifications.
Those drivers that have cars that will no longer be able to compete in the new classes have already acknowledge and embraced the ideas behind the changes and have thanked us for the work we have put in.
Basically we could have not bothered then every one of you, other than those who actually took the time to read the Blue Book and Motorsports Now, would have been up the creek without a paddle.
The rules have changed they no longer allow the over modified road cars of the past because they have been substantially tightened, again not by us.
99.9% of competitors have embraced the new rules and have said a big thank you to all of us that have burnt the midnight oil spent pounds and hours on the telephone plus petrol going to meetings so as to make everyone life easier.
We can do nothing about it everyone will have to live with it !!!!!!!!!
See Russells post above because he is one that it affects.
With regards to List 1a Tyres, is the list of eligible tyres for 2010 the same as in the 2009 Blue book?
Should be hopefully
We will find out next month when the 2010 Year Book is published.
Well done Ron [and team]- the new regs should go a long way in removing a lot of the issues in road modified – no one in that group has room to complain, they have all known for some 18mths this would be happening The idea of an scruters day is good – although some will just change things afterwoods!! As far as policing castor and camber the removal of spherical joints[inc top mounts] will by and large solve that issue – and the clarification on suspension ie ’same position’ outlaws remote reservoir types eg Proflex etc
In the distance I can see a ”level playing field”
Any body who is unhappy – Mod prod awaits
What’s wrong with spherical joints in top mounts that aren’t adjustable and give the same camber castor as std?
On another site there’s some really stupid comment that you can’t pass an MOT with rose joints therefore as they aren’t road legal they shouldn’t be allowed in the road going classes. Then the argument against 1B tyres, who cares if they’re outlawed in 2011, a set won’t last that long….
We have no problem with spherical joints if they were fitted as standard fitting.
I80 is what is controlling the supension as it does not allow any change to the original configuration, you can uprate it that is all.
If (and note that I say IF) rose joints wont pass an MOT if not fitted in production, then a car so fitted wont have an MOT and therefore cannot compete in the roadgoing classes, as it is not competing in road legal condition – See MSA Blue Book Reg (I70). That doesn’t sound “really stupid” to me, it’s just repeating what the Blue Book says.
Configuration = arrangement of parts/elements.
Nothing to do with what material parts are made from.
How many road going cars have rose joints fitted? Thousands of Caterhams, Rally Cars, no doubt lots of exotitica and they all get mot’d at some stage in their lives and are therefore roadgoing.
Is there not a road going Radical that has the record for a road going car around the Nurburgring? I bet that has lots of rose joints.
Road going should include having a current MOT, and/or competing in a road legal condition with proper insurance and tax PLUS the car should not be seen on a trailer within 50 miles of the venue.
It is not a case as to whether on not rose joints should be allowed etc., I80 clearly states that “The suspension configuration must remain standard”.
This means you cannot alter type or configuration of supension from that which originally fitted. All we have done is clarify the regulations as to what can be done.
I70 says ” Cars must compete in a road legal condition” which has again been expanded in the clarifications for roadgoing classes to included current insurance , VED and MOT if required and must available at scrutineering, this has aways been the requirement at all events that I have been envolved with. The trailering part would be great but not ideal in real world but saying that there are a large number of competitors that do drive to all events in the car and hope to be able to get to drive it back again.
As I have said previously it is not us as organisers that are setting the rules it is the MSA, all we have done to help new and old competitors is clarify them!
Forgive me if i sound stupid but are you saying that adjustable camber Top Mounts with sherical bearings that come on 90 percent of Coil Over Kits are NOT ALLOWED in Class 1c Roadgoing?
Oh man i’m well and truelly confused, I have posted on the Forum and had advice that Coilovers are NOT ALLOWED……………….HELP please before i give up before really starting
The way I understand it if your car doesn’t have coil overs as standard you can’t fit them anyway.
I agree with the new ‘old ‘rules as the cars were getting way to advanced read expensive with front running ccars costing £30-45k is ridiculous.
Hang on everyone!
The MSA has just responded to our “suggested” classes by saying that our interpretaion of what is allowed in 1A to 1E contravenes Blue Book (particularly reg I80). It looks as though they are saying “standard” means standard, with no mods at all, though their response itself is vague.
We are going back to them to clarify what they actually mean by “suspension configuration to remain standard” for example, because it claerly means different things to different people.
Once we have their clarification, we shall try to make sense of it all….. In the meantime, by all means continue the discussion, but please be patient with us.
Ron (Carmad) has spoken to the MSA today to clarify exactly what rules our proposals contravene. We now have the definitive answer and know how if affects our classes.
Quite simply, the MSA has decided to tighten the rules regarding suspension & steering on Production Cars in speed events, and intends to introduce a new rule from 01 Jan 2010 which says:-
“The suspension type and mountings must remain the same as that fitted by the manufacturer. The shock absorbers may be of any make and may be uprated from standard. Adjustable spring platform struts are permitted. The mounting method and position must remain as specified by the manufacturer. Springs are free but must retain their original location. Bushes may be changed for similar polymer materials, but rose-joints or similar metal joints are prohibited.”
We understand that this will apply to all cars in our classes 1A to 1E. The proposed rule has been referred to the Motor Sports Council and is expected to be ratified at their next meeting. Confirmation will appear in the next edition of Motorsport Now. It is possible that the rule may be ratified too late to appear in the 2010 Blue Book. However if ratified, it will be obligatory from the start of the 2010 season.
Clearly we have no option but to adopt it for our 2010 Classes.
I must emphasise that this change has not come about as a result of any of our discussions or proposals, but was already in the pipeline at the MSA. I hope this helps clarify things, but it will no doubt prompt further discussion!
So for clarification as i understand it:
If my car doesn’t come with Coil overs i cant use them in Class 1?
If my car doesn’t come with adjustable Top Mounts i cant use them in Class 1?
So for clarification as i understand it:
If my car doesn’t come with Adjustable Coil overs i can use them in Class 1?
If my car doesn’t come with adjustable Top Mounts i can use them in Class 1 as long as they bolt/fix to original mounting points?