NEW FEATURE MEMBERS : SCRUTINEERING
Scrutineering jobs for the winter break
Nigel Edwards gives some advice about winter jobs to ensure that you are ready for the scrutineering process when the 2022 season opens .
By the time that you read this , you will be close to your last HSCC event for 2021 , so now it ’ s time to get round to those jobs that we scrutineers have been reminding you about , probably with mounting exasperation , that you have put-off with a cheery : “ I ’ ll do that for next time !”
The particular jobs described below are ones that have a direct impact on your safety and which next year are likely to cause you to be sent home to correct before being allowed to compete . They are also jobs that you are unlikely to be able to correct in the pre-event paddock – hence why you should attend to them now .
1 . Helmet to Roll-hoop vertical clearance
The MSUK Yearbook states unambiguously on page 170 K 1.6.4 ( a ):
“ An effective rollbar must be fitted with its top edge not less than 5cm above the helmet of the normally seated driver .”
Please check your own helmet to roll-hoop vertical clearance now and if less than 5cm / 2 ”, lower the seat or replace the roll-hoop with a taller one over the winter .
Roll hoops are just as important for sports cars
2 . Roll-hoop extensions Every year your scrutineers are presented with originally compliant roll-hoops , on to which someone has stuck an extension to achieve the required 5cm vertical clearance , usually needed when a tall driver has bought a shorter driver ’ s car . The MSUK Yearbook is silent about such extensions , because effectively they are forbidden by its simple description of the main rollbar on page 166 K1.3.1 , which starts with :
“ These frames or hoops must be made in one piece without joints ...”
Any extension added above cannot be part of the one-piece existing rollhoop and so cannot comply with this regulation .
For your information , the FIA position is much clearer , stating simply in page 62 of Appx . K Sub-Appx . VI Art . 3.5 :
“… Extensions added above the main structure to increase the height are forbidden unless covered by an ASN or FIA ROPS certificate .”
3 . Harness mountings The reason for secure harness mountings may seem obvious , but every year we see mountings that would be unlikely to save your life in the case of a major impact . I am told that hitting an unyielding object at just 30mph causes a momentary deceleration of at least 25g . This means a driver of 80kg / 12 stone could exert a force of 2000kg ( e . g . the weight of a substantial 4x4 vehicle ).
Roll hoops are in particular focus
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