BEDFORD AUTODROME SCHOOLS'
GRAND PRIX
2012 RULES AND REGULATIONS
All vehicles entered for the 2012 Bedford Autodrome Schools' Grand
Prix, organised by MotorSport Vision (MSV), must comply with the
following regulations. All vehicles will be subject to
pre-event and possible post-event scrutineering to ensure
compliance.
1. Motor
1.1 The vehicle will only be powered by one 24 volt, 240 watt electric motor supplied by MSV. No hybrid systems are allowed.
1.2 The motor is sealed and must not be opened. No machining or drilling of the casing is allowed.
1.3 Cooling of the motor is allowed, but not through the use of water or methods using prior energy input (e.g. ice), or power from batteries other than the main vehicle batteries.
1.4 The motor must be easily accessible for inspection. MSV reserve the right to remove motors for return to the manufacturers for inspection.
2. Batteries
2.1 Four 12 volt MRT35T batteries supplied by MSV will be used on each vehicle.
2.2 Auxiliary batteries used for traction purposes and motor control are not allowed.
2.3 Out of the car, batteries must be kept separate and lifted independently of one another.
2.4 The presence and use of battery chargers at any time at events is prohibited.
2.5 The batteries must be firmly secured to the chassis of the vehicle using rigid fixings - i.e. no webbing or elastic straps, and must not be able to move in any direction in those fixings. Over centre clips must be security pinned.
2.6 Batteries must be separated from the driver by a bulkhead, or contained in a rigid, covered, ventilated box, which must not be able to short circuit battery terminals. Batteries must be located within the bodywork of the vehicle.
2.7 Where practice is allowed, additional MRT35T batteries may be used.
2.8 Batteries must have quick release connections that are not liable to disconnect or earth against metal parts.
2.9 Suitable battery trolleys must be used for transporting batteries around pits and paddock. Batteries must not be stacked more than one high on trolleys and must be strapped in place. Battery Trolleys or boxes can be insulated but must not contain any form of heating. Safety Note - Batteries should be handled with care. Batteries that are dropped or fall off trolleys may sustain internal damage, fail and possibly cause injury. The small vent hole in the lid of the battery must not be obstructed by stickers.
3. Wheels & Track
3.1 Tyres must not be less than 300mm or greater than 520mm in diameter.
3.2 There must be four wheels located as a matching front and matching rear pair, symmetrically about the centreline of the vehicle.
3.3 The track of the vehicle must not be less than 500mm front or rear. The track is deemed as the measured width between centres of tyres where they contact the ground. The track may vary front to rear.
3.4 Tyres must be pneumatic.
3.5 Plastic spoked wheels are not permitted.
4. Centre of Gravity
4.1 The top of the batteries must be below 360mm from ground level. A 6mm diameter hole should be drilled through any solid floors adjacent to the batteries to allow height measurement.
4.2 In the event of a vehicle overturning, it will not be allowed to continue competing that day, and furthermore until it can be proved that stability has been improved.
5. Dimensions
5.1 The vehicle must not exceed 2800mm in length, 1200mm in width, and 1200mm in height.
5.2 Ground clearance must not be less than 30mm.
6. Driver and Seating
6.1 The vehicle will have one seat firmly fixed to the vehicle chassis for the driver who will remain seated at all times whilst racing.
6.2 The driver must be seated in a conventional feet forward, head to the back position. Drivers may not kneel, sit astride a seat, or lie down in any way such that their chests and head are forward of their waist.
6.3 The driver must be able to demonstrate a clear exit from the vehicle unaided.
Safety Note - Drivers must be dressed and securely strapped in at scrutineering as if they were about to join the track.
6.4 There must be a solid floor under the whole of the driver.
6.5 There should be some form of padded head rest behind the driver's helmet to prevent whiplash.
7. Bodywork
7.1 The vehicle will have bodywork reaching to at least the back of the driver, and at the sides must always cover the elbows of the driver. Bodywork must not prevent hand signals from being made.
7.2 There must be a permanent cockpit opening, large enough for the driver to exit the vehicle, without the use of doors or the movement or removal of any panels or coverings.
7.3 Bodywork, including windscreens, to the front or sides of the driver's helmet may not be higher than the driver's eye level of every driver. This does not include front wheels or their coverings.
7.4 Parts of the bodywork may be removed during pitstops to aid battery removal.
7.5 Medium-high density energy absorbing flexible closed cell foam of minimum 25mm thickness must be attached down the cockpit sides to protect a substantial part of the driver's body, from the floor to the cockpit opening.
7.6 There must be a solid bulkhead forward of the driver's feet in the front of the cockpit, with 100mm depth of medium-high density energy absorbing flexible closed cell foam forward of this bulkhead, to protect the driver from frontal impact.
7.7 All cockpit edges and sharp edges/protrusions in the cockpit must be padded/protected.
7.8 Bodywork must not prevent scrutineers being able to check the integrity of steering linkages, wheel bearings and wheel security. Vehicles must be able to have these items exposed during scrutineering.
8. Brakes
8.1 The vehicle must have an effective braking system that will prevent it being pushed from standstill with the brakes applied.
8.2 A minimum of two independent brake systems must be fitted. Both wheels on either front or rear axles must have the same type of brake such that the car brakes in a straight line. This is in addition to any electrical braking system that might be incorporated.
8.3 The driver must be able to operate the brakes without removing either hand from the steering mechanism. Using two hands on one lever is not allowed.
8.4 Braking systems must be operated by hand only. Foot operated brakes are prohibited.
9. Roll Bars
9.1 The vehicle must have front and rear roll bars offering protection in accordance with the diagrams below - the helmeted head of all drivers must be at least 50mm below the line A-B as shown.
9.2 Roll bars must be firmly secured to the chassis of the vehicle. At least one triangulated brace must be fitted to the rear roll bar. This brace should attach to the chassis of the vehicle at one end, to not more than 200mm from the top of the roll bar at the other, and must be capable of taking forward and rearward loadings.
9.3 Aluminium, steel or composite roll bars can be used but must be strong enough and of sufficient dimensions to perform satisfactorily. If in doubt check material suitability before construction.
9.4 Non structural bodywork along with front and rear wheels must not be regarded as part of the roll protection.
10. Safety Equipment
10.1 Two rear view mirrors, each with a minimum area of 2250mm² (e.g. 75mm x 30mm convex) will be fitted and able to be adjusted by the driver. The visibility provided for the driver by these mirrors will be checked.
10.2 The vehicle must have a clearly audible warning device.
10.3 A 24 volt rated isolation switch must be fitted, and will be switched to off at all times when the vehicle is not moving. It should be clearly visible and be easily accessible to the driver, and from outside the vehicle. Two switches will be fitted if needed. On/Off positions must be clearly marked.
10.4 The vehicle must be fitted with a minimum four fixing point, 50mm width safety harness, with secure fixing points on the roll bar or chassis. Harness shoulder strap fixing points should be close to shoulder height and neck width. Thought should be given to the design of the seat and harness to prevent submarining in the event of frontal impact and lap straps must be able to be fully tightened before shoulder straps. Lap straps must fully tighten around the driver's lap without additional padding in front of the driver.
Safety Note - Avoid drilling roll bars at shoulder height as it weakens the structure.
Safety Note - Harness ends should protrude at least 100mm beyond the buckle for all drivers, and be folded and sewn at the ends to act as a stopper.
10.5 A clearly visible, non-flashing, red brake light will be fitted. It can incorporate its own battery.
10.6 The drive train must be guarded to prevent fingers, hair and clothing becoming trapped at any time, including during pitstops. This protection may be removable for maintenance in the paddock during a race but must be reinstated before rejoining the track.
11. Steering
11.1 Steering systems must have minimal play in joints. Control rod geometry must not be able to over centre.
11.2 Steering must be by mechanical linkages only.
11.3 Steering must be by front wheels only.
11.4 Steering must be operable by hand only.
12. Electrics
12.1 The motor can be controlled by a simple On/Off or speed controller method. This must be spring loaded to the Off position.
12.2 A fused link/cut‐out must be in place in the main power circuit, rated at 70 amps or less.
12.3 Battery isolator(s) must be fitted as specified in regulation 10.3.
12.4 All wires and terminals on the vehicle must be neatly run, secured and unable to chafe, away from moving parts, and be rated correctly.
12.5 Low current ancillary circuits must have their own fuse (normally 5A or less).
13. Other Features
13.1 Three racing numbers will be provided by MSV at the event. These must be located on the front and clearly visible on both sides of the vehicle, midway between wheels. The stickers are black numbers with a white circular background of 250mm diameter.
13.2 The vehicle must display all event sponsor logos as instructed by MSV.
13.3 Lifting points must be clearly marked for use by recovery marshals.
13.4 Roll bars should have an area on them where it is possible to tie the car forward to MSV recovery trailers without removal of bodywork or streamlining detail.
13.5 Provision must be made for the positioning of a timekeeping transponder, which will be provided at events complete with a mounting bracket, and must have a clear line of sight to the ground.
14. Driver Regulations
14.1 Drivers must be in secondary school years 7-11 only (ages 11-16).
14.2 Drivers must wear a suitable motorcycle or motor racing specification full face crash helmet including chin protection. All team members must know how to adjust and fasten the strap securely. Drivers must ensure the helmet is correctly fastened before they get into the car.
14.3 If the crash helmet does not have a visor, goggles must be worn.
14.4 Sensible full overalls must be used whilst driving. They must be of a suitable thickness to provide protection. Paper overalls are not acceptable.
14.5 Full fingered protective gloves, preferably leather, must be worn.
14.6 Any team members handling batteries must wear stout footwear, ideally with toe protection.
14.7 Pit crew must wear overalls or at a minimum long sleeves and trousers.
14.8 All team members must be clearly identifiable by their clothing.
14.9 Drivers must be fully conversant with the Drivers Regulations for the event, must be knowledgeable about their vehicle, and must attend the Team Briefing at events.
15. Logbooks
15.1 Each team already has or will be issued with a vehicle logbook on Confirmation of Entry. This must be brought to scrutineering at every event. Any Scrutineer's requirements must be completed before your next event; otherwise the vehicle will not be allowed to participate.
16. Team Regulations
16.1 Each team will declare six drivers by close of play on Monday 4 June 2012. Drivers may only drive one car and for one team. Each driver must drive for a minimum of 20 minutes and up to a maximum of 1 hour.
16.2 There will be six further pupils per team acting as mechanics and pit crew, who may support more than one vehicle in a multi-vehicle team.
16.3 Two persons must be designated as battery handlers, and no other team members will be allowed into the race Battery Quarantine Area.
16.4 Any team members handling batteries must wear stout footwear, ideally with toe protection.
16.5 Adults will not be allowed to assist in pitstops unless by specific arrangement beforehand with MSV.
16.6 All team members must be clearly identifiable by their clothing.
16.7 The team must have a name which will be registered at the start of the season on the Entry Confirmation Form, and cannot be changed. In the event of a name not being given then MSV will issue one.
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From time to time further regulations might be required and these will be forwarded to the teams involved and posted on the MSV website.
Whilst these regulations, the scrutineers and officials endeavour to ensure vehicles are safe to compete, ultimate responsibility lies with the team.
It is understood that all persons participating in events under these rules are doing so at their own risk and the entrant will ensure that all competitors under the age of 18 will have disclaimers signed by their parents or guardians prior to competing. The organisers ensure that full third party liability insurance is in place for the event.
In the event of any queries about these regulations or other
related matters please contact MSV for assistance.