MSA Decisions email.

[JohnD]

Full marks to the MSA for using electronic media to inform licence holders of rule changes. I've just had an email containing such notification.

Mostly Karts, which will interest karters. Also that any competitor knocked out or otherwise possibly suffering from concussion must stop competing at once, give up their licence and be advised not to drive at all, until their own doctor passes them fit. All arising from the US Football and now UK Rugby concern about repeated concussions. And IMHO thoroughly sensible.

But also, on towing eyes. See below.
What's this "eyes to be made of steel wire rope". What's wrong with a solid steel eye?
And how will this " “pull-cord” to be attached to the towing eye to enable the marshals to access it" work?
Any ideas?

John


(Q) Racing
Date of implementation:
01 January 2017
Q19.1.3.
a) There must be substantial towing
eyes securely fixed to the main structure
of the vehicle, front and rear, within the
confines of the body to enable the
vehicle to be moved. Cars of periods A
to F and single seater racing cars are
exempt from this requirement subject to
a suitable towing point being clearly
identified. Towing eyes must have a
minimum internal diameter of 60mm.
Towing eyes/towing points should be
painted a contrasting bright colour
(dayglo red, orange or yellow, marked
with an arrow and the word “tow”.
b) The following configuration and
specifications are strongly
recommended:
Vehicles to be equipped with two front
and two rear towing eyes positioned
equally either side of the longitudinal
center line.
The towing eyes to be made of steel
wire rope of at least 6mm diameter steel
wire rope with a 6x19 wire core.
Each towing eye to have a breakingstrain
of at least 2 tons and allow the
passage of a cylinder with a diameter of
60mm, situated 25mm forward of the
adjacent bodywork - 100 mm above and
below this hole must retain clearance to
enable the recovery crews to attach
straps and shackles.
They must be clearly visible, marked
with an arrow and the word “tow” and
the wire painted in yellow, red or orange
to contrast with the vehicle colour
scheme.
The towing eye to be fixed to a structural
part of the chassis with a minimum of
M10 (Grade 8.8) fixings, the inner part
must be flexible in order for the towing
eye to be retracted inside the bodywork
profile.
Towing eyes should be situated 25mm
forward of the adjacent bodywork with
clearance of 100 mm above and below
to enable recovery crews to attach
straps and shackles.
A “pull-cord” to be attached to the towing
eye to enable the marshals to access it.
The end attached to the chassis may be
either ‘thimble’ or ‘open-loop’ style.
Reason: At the request of Race
Committee, to provide a
recommendation for additional towing
points. This recommendation is
available for clubs to specify in their
championship regulations and is
included in the 2016 Championship
Regulation Master Format for Clubs to
utilise.

[88racing]

Saw that towing thing and thought "really"? At least it doesn't come in until next season - but its still going to be a lot of faff.

[MGDavid]

worth pointing out that
(a) is unchanged from current, and
(b) is only recommended.

and that pre-1966 is exempt as long as some sort of towing eye is clearly available.

[midgetman]

I read it that the last part of the article suggests that clubs may like to make it compulsory in their SRs