Input for 2022 Modified Class rule set revamp

[slowautoxr]

Attached are the proposed 2022 rules for Modified. Please keep in mind that this is a set of requirements based rules and not a combination of allowances and requirements as the current rules are written. If you see something that needs changing, please provide wording for the rule. Please post comments in this forum or email [email protected] to ensure that they get read. I'll try to pickup comments from elsewhere but undoubtedly there are sites that I do not know about.

Edit: Here's a link provided by MKE Region for those that are unable to open the attachment.https://www.dropbox.com/s/x0vdzg95us...v%20B.pdf?dl=0

[dskelly37]

Is Prepared class next to get revamped? There should really be some serious discussion about opening it up a little more for reliability mods, such as balance shaft deletes from QR25s...

I think there's also a discussion to be had about allowing some more advanced mods like cams (at least for the NA guys since FI can just keep cranking boost...) in Prep since Prep is so much closer to Stock than it is to Mod right now. The 3 class format is perfect for our attendance numbers but the jump from Prep to Mod is huge, and there's lots of little mods out there that someone in an otherwise perfectly streetable RX car would like to do but can't because it would push them into purpose built Mod car territory. I'm cool with leaving Prep as full interior but it should act as better bridge between the Stock and Mod classes instead of being just Stock class with seats and special tires.

[slowautoxr]

Not currently planning to rewrite Prepared. Additional allowances can certainly be considered. You can submit new proposals to the RXB.

[ojannen]

I can't tell if this rule set lets your remove the rear window and rear side windows behind the driver. I am looking at this line "Other windows flanking the driver (or passenger) must be OEM glass (or equivalent), minimum 1/16" clear polycarbonate (Lexan or equivalent), or removed." I am not sure if flanking means the drivers window or everything but the windshield.

If the glass is removed and not replaced, does the opening need to be covered with mesh?

[JOlschewski]

I can't tell if this rule set lets your remove the rear window and rear side windows behind the driver. I am looking at this line "Other windows flanking the driver (or passenger) must be OEM glass (or equivalent), minimum 1/16" clear polycarbonate (Lexan or equivalent), or removed." I am not sure if flanking means the drivers window or everything but the windshield.

If the glass is removed and not replaced, does the opening need to be covered with mesh?

Flanking is directly to your left and right. So it depends on your location in the car which windows this means.

Hope that helps

[ojannen]

I got turned around and was looking for allowances instead of requirements. No rear window rule means it is free in this ruleset.

Does the hole from removing the rear window count as an "external body opening caused by the removal of components" and require a wire mesh covering?

[vaughn]

Suggest removing the word ‘non-metalic’ from second sentence of the bumpers — this lets me replace metalic bumpers that are integral to bodywork with something lighter

[slowautoxr]

The committee agrees.

[vaughn]

Chasis number 7: this is confusing— i think that it needs to be split into defining that pillars and firewall must be as strong or stronger than stock. And then i am not sure what intent is for rest but currently it seems like you dont want me to replace floor or cut out inner door skins or inner body modifications in passenger compartment— however the ‘passenger’ compartment can be considered the entire interior on a hatch back.. and i think you would agree that door skins can go away ... and i want to be able to replace floor behind driver .. for instance the “rear seats” of the porsche gave been removed as well as the “trunk” floor.. both areas are now flat carbon sheet

[slowautoxr]

I added a response as a new post with pictures of the areas that define the passenger compartment. Door skins are not mentioned in rule #7.

[crx bret]

I too have removed floor behind driver and replaced it with aluminum. Common in circle track and safe as it is sealed. I think it should read behind driver.

[vaughn]

Chasis 14 — what are front and rear facia? Air dams, fairings, and anything below stock bumper line should be removable

[slowautoxr]

I added a response as a new post.

[vaughn]

Chassis 19 - the engine should be separated from driver by stock firewall — the mention of exhaust is confusing in this entry as it seems to suggest you want the stock floor to remain for the entire length of the exhaust (which makes my cars illegal) and I dont want to have to cut the exhaust off where my carbon floors start would prefer they exit back of car like normal.. probably should split out specific discussion of exhaust and specific discussion of engine

[slowautoxr]

We don't want the exhaust system in the passenger compartment.

[crx bret]

My exhaust exits behind the driver in the center of the car and points down. Does not exit body. This too is common in circle track and considered safe.

[hzl6cm]

Looks clear to me. Engine and transmission still wide open as long as the vehicle with both go forwards and backwards.

[sureshot007]

The only thing that immediately jumps out at me is no restriction on ground clearance. I'd love to see the addition of the wording from the UTV class, where the bottom of the body can be no higher than the center line of the wheels. I just worry about lifted trucks showing up and having to turn them away, even though they are "legal".

I love the idea of this ruleset. I'm sure at some point people will do some questionable things, and we'll have to address them as they happen, but this is really cool.

[slowautoxr]

Rule 21 is the height and width rule that we adapted from the Constructors rule set.

[zoltanbubor]

I sure would like to see a specific rule for the re-location of the engine like "The original location of the engine can be modified as long as the new firewall between the engine and the driver compartment is as safe as the original one. For example, a front-engine is relocated to a mid-engine or rear-engine."

Right now unless it is specified I still see this issue as confusing if we take some other rules into consideration.

[slowautoxr]

Adrelin what modifications are the new rules banning that are currently allowed? Unless we missed something, the new requirements should not make any vehicle not legal that is currently legal. Read the rules as a list of requirements. No need to go to Stock or Prepared to see what is allowed there and then interpret the current modified rules. The rules were written by a committee that actually build Modified class vehicles. The intent of the rules is to actually not restrict things that most folks think are legal. We're listening.

[adrelin]

2021 Modified rules, there are no limits to modifying a firewall (applicable rule 3.(c). would capture not reducing structural strength.

legal car-for a firewall to be moved/modified as long as structural strength is not reduced.

Proposed 2022 rule 19.(2).(3). could possibly make the above car illegal?

if others, and i, understand this correctly, any current car with the firewall modified beyond 'minor' would be illegal.

Protection of the passenger compartment should be the only concern in the Modified Class, as retaining the original firewall and limiting modification to 'minor' inherently do not add any factor of safety, they will stop people from being able to try and be competitive with non-traditional/proven 'expensive' car platforms.

rallycross already looks like 'the evo/wrx/miata' races, lets please not pass rules that make it any worse,

[slowautoxr]

Rule 3.3.E.3 is a bit vague because it states "non-essential." I'd say that the firewall is an essential component of the vehicle. As a result of that, (a) through (k) are not applicable. Rules 3.3.E.5 and 3.3.E.6 clearly imply that vehicle modifications are permitted to many aspects of the vehicle. Regardless, we didn't do a good job on the firewall rule. The intent was to allow engine relocations while still maintaining the structural integrity of the passenger cabin. We'll work on it. Thanks for engaging. Please let us know of any other issues.

[JOlschewski]

Chasis number 7: this is confusing— i think that it needs to be split into defining that pillars and firewall must be as strong or stronger than stock. And then i am not sure what intent is for rest but currently it seems like you dont want me to replace floor or cut out inner door skins or inner body modifications in passenger compartment— however the ‘passenger’ compartment can be considered the entire interior on a hatch back.. and i think you would agree that door skins can go away ... and i want to be able to replace floor behind driver .. for instance the “rear seats” of the porsche gave been removed as well as the “trunk” floor.. both areas are now flat carbon sheet

Door skins can be removed.
chassis rule 11. E. Covers that.

[ojannen]

I sure would like to see a specific rule for the re-location of the engine like "The original location of the engine can be modified as long as the new firewall between the engine and the driver compartment is as safe as the original one. For example, a front-engine is relocated to a mid-engine or rear-engine."

I just sent in a letter on something similar. The firewall rule is a soft ban on rear to mid engine conversions. You need to move the firewall to move the engine forwards. Front to mid engine is unaffected because you don't need to touch the original firewall.

[slowautoxr]

Here is some preliminary wording of revised rule #19: "The engine (including exhaust) must be shielded from the passenger compartment by a firewall. Minimal modifications of the OEM firewall are allowed for installation of permitted components. The original firewall must be retained unless engine relocation requires firewall modification. Modified firewall must be reinforced to meet or exceed OEM firewall structural strength."

[Aki]

Appearance 4:

Just how "visually represented" do deleted headlights and indicators need to be? There's nothing available in a decal that would actually fit the make/model of the car (market seems firmly geared toward stock cars, drag cars and motogp). Would painting some vertical lines or blocks of silver and amber qualify?

[slowautoxr]

This rule was intend to give the builder lots of flexibility. Do we need to add more examples?