core support modification/removal

[hired wrench]

"1) Every vehicle must retain its OEM frame rails (or unibody), strut towers, floorpan,

and subframe. Tube-frame chassis conversion (partial or complete) is not permitted

without a waiver from the National TT Director. Relocation of suspension mounting

points, modification and/or relocation of the firewall with engine relocation ten (10)

inches or less, and modified K (cross)-members are all permitted. Floorpan

modifications to include items such as subframe connectors, roll cage bracing, and

fuel cell placement may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the National TT

Director. Such modifications will be subject to approval and possible modification

factor assessments. (See Appendix B—Floorpan mods.)"

 

Clarification is for an ST2 and TTS car. There is no mention of an allowance for modification or removal of the core support either for extra cooling, radiator changes/relocation, etc.

 

Some of the current trends as allowed by the rules of other sanctioning bodies look like this:

 

 

The upper and lower unibody frame rails are intact as well as the strut towers. The larger diameter bars in the picture comply with:

 

"Roll cages may be built to provide an unlimited amount of chassis stiffening. Any number of cage mounting points may be used above the six (6) minimum requirement (if the vehicle has a cage), and, any number of additional tubes may be used above the minimum with additional attachment points to the body, including tubes that penetrate the firewall."

 

The smaller bars allow for mounting the front bumper and radiator. With the allowance of unlimited motor swaps, and relocation of the engine and suspension mounting points of up to 10" what is the latitude allowed for modifying the core support and relocating the radiator?

[TurboShortBus]

While I agree that the core support is not mentioned in section 6.2.3.1 (it greatly helps if you also copy/paste the section number that you are quoting), it runs the risk of being one of those "if it doesn't say you can do it, then you can't do it" deals. However, I'm definitely not smart enough to comment on this.

 

You should send your inquiry directly to Greg Greenbaum ([email protected]) to get a ruling.

 

Mark

[hired wrench]

TT rules

 

6.2.3 TTU and TTS Vehicle Modification Restrictions/Limitations

Unless listed below, any other performance enhancing modifications (including motor swaps) are

permitted, provided that the vehicle complies at all times with NASA safety rules and the

minimum “Adjusted” Weight/Power ratio for its class. Roll cages may be built to provide an

unlimited amount of chassis stiffening. Any number of cage mounting points may be used above

the six (6) minimum requirement (if the vehicle has a cage), and, any number of additional tubes

may be used above the minimum with additional attachment points to the body, including tubes

that penetrate the firewall......

 

......1) Every vehicle must retain its OEM frame rails (or unibody), strut towers, floorpan,

and subframe. Tube-frame chassis conversion (partial or complete) is not permitted

without a waiver from the National TT Director. Relocation of suspension mounting

points, modification and/or relocation of the firewall with engine relocation ten (10)

inches or less, and modified K (cross)-members are all permitted. Floorpan

modifications to include items such as subframe connectors, roll cage bracing, and

fuel cell placement may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the National TT

Director. Such modifications will be subject to approval and possible modification

factor assessments. (See Appendix B—Floorpan mods.)

 

super touring rules

 

7.3 Vehicle Modification Restrictions/Limitations

Unless listed below or in Section 7.2, any other performance enhancing modifications are

permitted, provided that the vehicle complies at all times with the minimum “Adjusted”

weight/power ratio (7.4) for its class.

1) S T1 and ST2 only (not applicable for STR1 and STR2): Every vehicle must retain its

OEM frame rails (or unibody), strut towers, floorpan, and subframe. Tube-frame

chassis conversion (partial or complete) is not permitted without a waiver from the

National ST Director. Relocation of suspension mounting points, modification and/or

relocation of the firewall with engine relocation ten (10) inches or less, and modified

K(cross)-members are all permitted. Floorpan modifications to include items such as

subframe connectors, roll cage bracing, and fuel cell placement may be approved on a

case-by-case basis by the National ST Director. Such modifications will be subject to

approval and possible modification factor assessments. (See Appendix A—Floorpan

mods.)

[Greg G.]

I do not see a problem with what is shown for an ST/TTS/TTU car, but the OEM subframe is still not attached. I assume that it would be used. Up to this point in the photos, it appears that the OEM frame rails and strut towers are retained, and that the additional roll bar bracing does not constitute a tube-frame conversion. I would certainly be willing to listen to any differing opinions, though. We do allow for changes in the front bumper, radiator and support placement, front fascia, etc. in these semi-unlimited classes.

[hired wrench]

sounds good. Thanks, Greg.

[Greg G.]

Can we see a photo from the front? There is a question about whether the strut towers are really intact, or whether they are cut completely out in the front where we cannot see them in this photo.

[hired wrench]

this particular car is a drift car, so it looks like the portion of the wheel well before the bend/transition into the strut tower was cut for tire clearance because of the required steering angles.

 

 

here are some unmodified wheel wells leading in to the tower. It looks like cuts were made where the well transitions to the tower.

 

 

[Greg G.]

I think the only question is whether the OEM strut tower is retained with the fender wells possibly being considered an integral part of the strut towers. I have seen photos where the strut towers were clearly cut into and new fender wells were built so that the car could be lowered more than an OEM production car. This would clearly not be legal with the strut towers cut. As shown above, I think that it could be subject to a protest in ST/TTS-TTU, but would require some good "evidence" and "argument" that the strut towers are not retained, and my opinion at this time without such an argument is that it would be ok. For PT and TTA-TTF, where mods not listed are not legal, this would not be legal as shown in these photos.

[hired wrench]

I won't make any cuts that far back, but the whole core support is going in the scrap pile.