2022 - RX Rules Change Proposals

[slowautoxr]

Have a rule change or clarification you would like to propose for the 2022 RallyCross rules? Submit your proposal on this thread or send to [email protected]. Be sure to include the proposed language for the change and a brief explanation of why you are proposing the change. The rule change submission period runs through 9/22/2021. Member comment on proposed changes will take place in September/October, followed by Rules Committee review in October, and final review and approval by the RallyCross Board (RXB) and the SCCA Board by year-end.

[ojannen]

On vehicle safety rule F, on a car with non-automotive tires, is the vehicle weight for the minimum tire load rating measured with or without the driver? This could be clarified by updating the line to read, "The load index/rating for non-automotive tires must meet or exceed the weight of the vehicle (<with/without> driver)" based on the correct interpretation of the rule.

Vehicle safety rule G requires lap belts. Prepared category rule 11 does not let you decrease the number of belt attachment points. I believe that replacing a stock 3 point belt with a non-retracting lap belt makes the car illegal in every class. I found this out by accident after 5 years of rallycross. Moving the line "the number of attachment points may not be less than originally equipped" from the category rule to the safety rule would make this more clear.

Stock category rule 6 says traction control can be electronically disabled. Prepared category rule 3 says any brakes can be used. In prepared, can you bypass the ABS pump on a modern car if it is used for both braking and traction control? I am not sure if this counts as a mechanical change to the traction control system which only has an electronic change allowance or if the free brakes in prepared overrides the stock rule. Add the line, "Any ABS system may be used" to the prepared brake rule if necessary.

Are air brakes like the ones you see on supercars allowed in prepared? I assume these aren't allowed but the rule says "any". I don't think this needs a rule change but it was a fun post-event conversation.

[slowautoxr]

These have been added to the RX Rule committee action item log. Log numbers have been added below:

On vehicle safety rule F, on a car with non-automotive tires, is the vehicle weight for the minimum tire load rating measured with or without the driver? This could be clarified by updating the line to read, "The load index/rating for non-automotive tires must meet or exceed the weight of the vehicle (<with/without> driver)" based on the correct interpretation of the rule. LOG#16

Vehicle safety rule G requires lap belts. Prepared category rule 11 does not let you decrease the number of belt attachment points. I believe that replacing a stock 3 point belt with a non-retracting lap belt makes the car illegal in every class. I found this out by accident after 5 years of rallycross. Moving the line "the number of attachment points may not be less than originally equipped" from the category rule to the safety rule would make this more clear. LOG#17

Stock category rule 6 says traction control can be electronically disabled. Prepared category rule 3 says any brakes can be used. In prepared, can you bypass the ABS pump on a modern car if it is used for both braking and traction control? I am not sure if this counts as a mechanical change to the traction control system which only has an electronic change allowance or if the free brakes in prepared overrides the stock rule. Add the line, "Any ABS system may be used" to the prepared brake rule if necessary. LOG#18

Are air brakes like the ones you see on supercars allowed in prepared? I assume these aren't allowed but the rule says "any". I don't think this needs a rule change but it was a fun post-event conversation. LOG#19

[slowautoxr]

Log #16: Safety rule 3.2.F has been modified pending SCCA BOD approval.
Log #17: Prepared rule 3.3.D.11 has been modified pending SCCA BOD approval.
Log #18: There is no allowance to remove, replace, or modify the ABS pump in Stock. If the ABS pump performs a function in the traction control system, it cannot be removed as there is no allowance to bypass traction control via mechanical means.
Log #19: Air brakes are active aero elements. Permitted aerodynamic devices are defined in 3.3.D.20. Air brakes do not conform to that rule.

[Pete]

I would like to submit that alternators/generators may be upgraded from stock in Prepared class.

Justification: Prepared allows mechanical fans to be replaced by electric fans, and existing electric fans may be upgraded. Vehicles with mechanical fans may not have sufficient capacity to operate electric fans, and upgraded fans may draw significantly higher current than stock, also taxing charging systems.

Proposed wording:
Alternators may be upgraded from stock and generators may be replaced with alternators, provided that the replacement unit uses the same mounting points and does not require other unauthorized modification. Wiring to the alternator may be altered or upgraded as necessary.

[Davey]

In prepared class be allowed to add or subtract a brake booster for those that want manual brakes and a strong left leg and those that want boosted brakes and a not so strong left leg.

[adrelin]

comments on rule;

19
(1) agreed, achieves safety concerns of protecting pass. compartment from engine/exhaust.
(2) request deleting, achieves no additional safety factor beyond (1)
(3) request deleting, achieves no additional safety factor beyond (1)

(2) (3) are preventing modifications that should not be restricted from the Modified Class.


19 (1) The engine (including exhaust) must be shielded from the passenger compartment by a firewall. (2) The original firewall must be retained regardless of engine location.(3) Minimal modifications are allowed for installation of permitted components.

[slowautoxr]

If we don't say anything about the firewall, then it can be removed completely. Remember the new rules are a list of requirements. The intent was to allow changes but if you do, structural strength must be added back. Looks like we did not do a good job of conveying that. We're looking at the wording of the OEM firewall requirement.

[adrelin]

thank you for clarifying and good to hear

as long as modification to a firewall is permitted and structural strength/separation only need be retained/restored.

and i agree with your example; say a front to mid engine conversion....then the whole front firewall cut out, with the direction that its not a required firewall anymore, because now the engine is in the back. But there would still be a need to have the front firewall location providing structural support/crash/rollover/flying chicken protection/front suspension broken parts perhaps.

[slowautoxr]

The problem with removal of the firewall and say replacing it with tubular structure - now it's looking a lot like a tube frame car which is not allowed. The firewall is going to have to remain in some shape or form. The question is how do we word this. The same applies to the other structural components of the car.

[adrelin]

comment on rule 25

dust is a huge problem in some regions, air cleaner ducted to the passenger compartment is very popular with good reason in all off road sports, suggest allowing it with an airbox/enclosure inside the passenger compartment. (assuming it is a safety concern from backfires or?)

25 Engine must not draw air from inside the cabin

[slowautoxr]

Yes safety was the concern. Good idea to require an airbox/enclosure. We'll discuss it again.

[Pete]

I believe these are in the wrong thread.