zzzzZZZZZ

[Tawfik]

I'm going to Fontana, and will pass on Streets for budget reasons.

Another subject to stoke the fire- the Orange Coast region is having monthly autoxes at El Toro. This could be our future if/when we loose Qualcom. Anyone have experience running there? Is this why we have not seen much of Curt, Dan, Doug K. et. al.? They are secretly competing against OC?

I have run at El Toro twice last summer.
It was quite fun. Steve Eguina and others set up the track so that it has both fast sections and slow tight sections. Other than driving for an hour early AM, I actually like running there.

[993Panzer]

Jennifer,

The helmet is going to look very cool. Nice scheme. I assume that is Martin's fathers formula car rearend with the wing and tranny. We can't register for the AX yet, it isn't 11:55 PM on March 6th yet.

[jenniferreinhardt]

I know Dave, the Pre-reg deadlines and no more annuals are a pain. But, I'm sure the need for speed will motivate you!! Plus, you VIP Instructors and Drivers will have new wristbands soon!

I just posted some pics to give some visuals to alleviate the boredom factor. That is the gear box from Martin's Dad's Formula 3000 - cool, but not a Porsche

How long does it take to get up to El Toro? Is it a good Boxster track? My car loves the East Lot!

[Tawfik]

It takes around 1 hour to get to El Toro (give or take) early in the AM with no traffic.

[ttweed]

The 3 point thing still concerns me and I understand we're trying to get people into DE and TT events with little expense.

The explanation that exists on our website (in the "2007 Rule Changes Explained" article is that the allowance for factory restraints "is to adopt a more open approach to Time Trials, more in line with the national guidelines. This will make our events similar to events held in other zones around the country. This proposal relaxes the requirement for harnesses in Street Stock and Stock classes, thereby
making it easier for those new to Time Trials to participate. It also recognizes that Porsche factory restraints are very good, requiring that they be
installed and in good condition if a harness is not used."

I agree with Steve about taking care of your belts makes them last longer but the rules state 5 years.

I think this requirement is borrowed from Club Racing rules, which tend to err on the side of safety. I certainly cannot see how a set of belts which have been cared for in the way that Steve describes could be worn out or non-functional after 5 years. Nevertheless, if you are facing replacement because of your harness dating, you can have them rewebbed as opposed to total replacement, saving a little money in the process. Crow Enterprises in Anaheim offers a rewebbing service and I have heard nothing but good things about them. See their website at
http://www.crowenterprizes.com/content.asp?ri=2

TT

[993Panzer]

Tom,

Thanks for the clarification. You're right on as usual with your technical expertise. I agree that Porsche makes excellent seat belts. I guess we now venture into that topic as to whether a novice is more likely to have an incident requiring good belts more than an experienced driver. I'm not saying anything either way just that this may be an issue with some instructors. We'll live by the rules and call it good. After all isn't that why we have sanctioning bodies in the first place?

Thanks for the informatin about rewebbing seat belts. I just bought a new set of belts. Oh well.

[ajackson]

How do the new rules affect stock seats with harnesses. I have the halo straps, but the seat has no guide holes. Do the new rules really require race seats if you are going to use 5-point belts?

[Greg Phillips]

How do the new rules affect stock seats with harnesses. I have the halo straps, but the seat has no guide holes. Do the new rules really require race seats if you are going to use 5-point belts?

I should point out that these are rules from the PCA National DE program for 2008. At this point and unless we adopt them, they are not Zone 8 or SDR rules However they will carry weight during any discussion of new rules.
That said, their rules would require a specialized racing seat with holes (by the manufacturer) for the harnesses and sub strap if you use 5 points! Stock seats=stock belts.
Greg

[Dan Chambers]

Okay, so to "bolster" Alan's question for clarity:

If I have a 5-point system with stock seat and a halo, am I disqualified from driving in the Zone 8 or SDR events? (Currently, I have a stock passenger seat with halo and 5-point harness system with harness bar in the SC. Hoping to have the race seat for passenger by Streets ...)

If I have a stock seat for passenger and a race seat with holes for the driver, does the passenger wear the stock (3-point) belts and the driver 5-point harness? (Gee, maybe I'll put someone I don't like very much in the 3-point passenger seat and hit Turn 3 really, really hard )

Seriously, what will be the ruling on stock seats with halo's for Zone 8 events?

[ajackson]

While many people have them, requiring race seats to be used with 5 point belts seams silly to me.

The rules do specify that the safety gear has to be the same for the driver and passenger (which I agree with completely).

[martinreinhardt]

OK, so who is going to Streets?
How about California Speedway?
Who will take TTOD and what will their times be?
Who will come out on top of KI? Front engine, rear or mid? Water or air-cooled?

I will be at Streets, but not Fontana. My prediction is that Martin will win KI: the 911s tend to have an advantage on the tighter tracks. Personally, I aim to just keep the pressure on; the fast guys can't perform as well when they are looking over their shoulders to see if I am closing in.

I forsee your prediction coming true

[Greg Phillips]

Okay, so to "bolster" Alan's question for clarity:

If I have a 5-point system with stock seat and a halo, am I disqualified from driving in the Zone 8 or SDR events? (Currently, I have a stock passenger seat with halo and 5-point harness system with harness bar in the SC. Hoping to have the race seat for passenger by Streets ...)

If I have a stock seat for passenger and a race seat with holes for the driver, does the passenger wear the stock (3-point) belts and the driver 5-point harness? (Gee, maybe I'll put someone I don't like very much in the 3-point passenger seat and hit Turn 3 really, really hard )

Seriously, what will be the ruling on stock seats with halo's for Zone 8 events?

That will teach me to stir things up.
Under the present rules, you can have a stock seat with halos and use 5 points, or if in SS or S class you can use your stock belts. As far as the equality of the driver and passenger seats, it would be up to the instructor to decide if they felt the stock seats and five points were as safe as a race seat used by the driver.

Greg

[Dan Chambers]

Okay, so to "bolster" Alan's question for clarity:

If I have a 5-point system with stock seat and a halo, am I disqualified from driving in the Zone 8 or SDR events? (Currently, I have a stock passenger seat with halo and 5-point harness system with harness bar in the SC. Hoping to have the race seat for passenger by Streets ...)

If I have a stock seat for passenger and a race seat with holes for the driver, does the passenger wear the stock (3-point) belts and the driver 5-point harness? (Gee, maybe I'll put someone I don't like very much in the 3-point passenger seat and hit Turn 3 really, really hard )

Seriously, what will be the ruling on stock seats with halo's for Zone 8 events?

That will teach me to stir things up.
Under the present rules, you can have a stock seat with halos and use 5 points, or if in SS or S class you can use your stock belts. As far as the equality of the driver and passenger seats, it would be up to the instructor to decide if they felt the stock seats and five points were as safe as a race seat used by the driver.

Greg

Thanks, Greg.

In point of fact, I just finished putting the "brother" seat in the SC. so, now I have 2 Recaro Speed seats (with guide hole for the shoulder straps) and 5 point harnesses. So, I'm set even for the 2008 DE rules, if need be.

Next: custom roll-bar for the SC that allows me to push the seat all the way back. Stay tuned .....