Beginners Guide to the Scimitar & Sabre Speed Championship 2008
We think there are quite a few people who are interested in Sprints and Hill Climbs (speed events), but just have not got round to having a go. This is a basic guide of what you have to do to make a start. First you must be a member of the Reliant Sabre and Scimitar Owners club (RSSOC). You will then need to apply for a competition licence from the Motor Sport Association (MSA): The Motor Sports Association Motor Sports House, Riverside Park, Colnbrook, Slough SL3 0HG Tel: 01753 765000 Website www.msauk.org The minimum requirement is a Non Race National ‘B’ licence, which costs £36.00 (a medical is not required in most cases). This licence will let you enter all the Scimitar & Sabre Speed Championship events and certain other events up to National ‘B’ status. A higher grade licence may be required for some Competition class vehicles. However, you cannot just apply for a higher grade licence, you must upgrade from a National ‘B’ licence by successfully completing four events and getting the licence signed as proof. When you receive your licence it comes with an MSA Competitors’ Yearbook, commonly known as the ‘Blue Book'The Blue Book is full of rules and regulations. . This RSSOC guide does not replace or over-ride anything that is published in the Blue Book. This guide also refers to the relevant sections within the Blue Book, in particular Section C (Common Regulations for competitors including safety requirements) and Section I (Sprints and Hill Climbs) should be read carefully. SCRUTINEERING The following is a précis of the requirements to pass scrutineering at an event: • The vehicle must be in a sound condition, certain key elements are checked. • The throttle must have independent return springs (Section [C(b) 10]). • The battery earth lead must have yellow marking (yellow insulating tape) (Section [C(b) 20]). It is a good idea to wrap red tape round the live lead as well. • The front seats must be securely mounted and must not be able to tip forward. Seats must have head restraints (Section [C(b) 9] & (Section [C(c) 50 - 51]). • Seat belts must be complete units sourced from a recognised manufacturer and fitted in accordance with MSA recommendations (Section [C(c) 44 49]). • All loose items should be removed from the car. Remove spare wheel.
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There must be an oil catch tank of a minimum of one litre capacity (Section I 53) (Ford do a filler cap with a spout on the side to which you attach a length of ½ inch hose and take to the catch tank – the Ford part no. is 89BF-6766-AB, alternatives are available at Halfords Stores). There must be a timing strut fitted which complies with size and fitting as defined in the Yearbook (Section I 67). The ignition switch must be labelled with a an arrow indicating the direction to turn the ignition off and the wording “OFF”. A hand written label is acceptable. However. you can get a decal sheet with a number of safety related stickers from motor sport outlets (Demon Tweeks part no. DC1). Cars in all classes, excepting Standard & Standard Turbo, are required to have a roll cage. Most cars requires a 6-point cage, but some SS1/SST/Sabre cars in the Modified class can use a 4-point cage (section [C(c) 2 – 43]).
PERSONAL SAFETY An approved crash helmet must be worn (Section[C(c) 87 – 100]). The 2008 MSA Yearbook lists acceptable standards as:• • • • • •
BS 6658-85 “Type A” (“Type B” are not acceptable) BS 6658 Type A/FR FIA 8860-2004 SNELL SA2005 SNELL SA2000 SFI Foundation 31.1A, 31.2A
Crash helmets must also have an MSA approval sticker. Blue stickers have no expiry date and may be obtained at an event from an MSA Scrutineer at a cost of £1. Note that there is no VAT on BS helmets. The user must ensure that the helmet fits properly (fitment guide is also included in MSA Blue Book), is secured properly and is in a serviceable condition. Overalls meeting the MSA standard must be worn (Section[C(c) 77 – 86]). A standard of • • • • • BS 6249 part I Index A or B (but not C) BSEN533 pr EN533: 1995 INDEX 3 FIA 8856-2000 FIA 1986 standard
The standard will be clearly marked on the label on the garment and is checked at scrutineering. Plastic shoes such as trainers should be avoided. Competitors are also strongly advised to wear Flame Resistant gloves, socks, shoes, balaclavas and underwear. You are advised to buy the best safety-wear that you can afford.
TECHNICAL Windscreens are mandatory for all closed vehicles. Laminated windscreens are not required unless specified in the Supplementary Regulations (For a specific event). However it is a good idea to have a laminated type in case it does break at high speed. Cars entered in road going classes (All RSSOC classes other than Competition class) must have a current MOT, tax and insurance certificate. Non road legal cars in the Competition class must have an MSA log book (section [C(b) 3 – 4]). The above minimum requirements apply generally to standard or mildly modified road legal cars. If the car is a non standard competition car and is not clearly still suitable for everyday use, there are more stringent requirements. This type of car is considered to be more serious than a Standard car and the Blue Book should again be studied carefully. Roll over bars are not required for the Standard classes, but seem to be a very good idea in a Coupe or an SS1. However, is the one already built into the SE5 and SE6 adequate? After many years these standard roll-over bars are likely to be corroded and weakened as a result. Any GTE with a Webasto roof has the centre of the standard roll hoop cut out! Battery master switches, fire extinguishers, electric fuel pump, more powerful cooling fan, modified cooling system, and a variety of all sorts of other goodies might also be considered. Fire extinguishers particularly should be top of the shopping list, but if fitted they must meet the MSA requirements (section [C(c) 52 – 66]). ENTERING EVENTS If you register for the Scimitar & Sabre Speed Championship (£20 annual fee) before 31st March, you will automatically be sent regulations for most of the qualifying events. If you apply for the Championship after the 31st March you will be supplied with a list of contacts for the organising clubs and will have to request regulations for each event. Event fees range between about £70 – £130, with most events being in the £80 – £95 range. Alternatively, as long as you are a member of the RSSOC and have a competition licence, you can compete at events by applying to the organising club for their regulations. This may be preferable if you want to have a go (at Curborough for example). However, we encourage people to join the Championship. HAVE FUN Once you have got started you will find a huge amount of advice and help freely available from your fellow competitors. Completing the course with total concentration, making no mistakes, braking as late as possible accelerating as soon as possible and going through each corner as fast as possible takes some doing and needs to be experienced to understand the thrill! Further information, including the current regulations and Scimitar & Sabre Speed Championship application form, may be obtained from RSSOC Competition Secretary Ben Gough (see contact details below). Or downloaded from www.scimitarweb.com/competition.
Ben Gough 42 Chapel Street, Bishops Itchington, Southam, Warks, CV47 2RB Tel. 01926 613883 (All messages will be returned) Email: competition.secretary@rssoc.co.uk