SCRUTINEERING NEWS

Compiled 3/3/13

The club has taken delivery of the 2013 ALRC Members Handbook (Green Book), which will be available to pick up at events, or contact the club secretary for a copy.

NEW RULE FOR S&S COMP SAFARI EVENTS FOR 2013

The following has been added to the S&S SR's for Comp Safari for 2013-

"All vehicles must be fitted with window nets or door tops. Those with door tops or wind down windows must demonstrate to the scrutineer that the arms of the driver and passenger cannot be placed outside the confines of the vehicles - if this is not the case door nets must also be fitted."

OLD RULE THAT NEEDS RE-ITERATING TO ALL COMP SAFARI DRIVERS

The following is taken from the S&S SR's for Comp Safari:-

"Competitors must display running numbers that comply with MSA size regulations - 23cm high displayed on a white background on both sides of the vehicle above the waistline. Competitors must also display their number on the front of the vehicle - black numbers, min height 10cm on a white background with a border of no less than 5mm situated above the waistline on the front of the vehicle."

Please see page 150 and J4.1/4.1.1 of the 2013 MSA Blue Book for side number regulations and P49.3.1 for front number regulations.

Taken from a letter from the ALRC dated 18^th June 2012:-

RATIFICATION OF RULE CHANGE PROPOSALS

The following two rule change proposals were ratified by the ALRC Council on 16^th June 2012 and took effect on 1^st January 2013.

Rule B.9.6. Any radius arms that have been welded to, attached or cut into, deliberately notched or bent up/down/sideways are prohibited. Any attachment or modification to the radius arms (unless manufacturers specification) are prohibited. The only addition to this is that brake pipes can be secured by the same method as a breather pipe.

B.15.1 -The hand brake lever may be altered or changed in order to meet the requirement that the hand brake is operable by the driver whilst wearing a seat belt. No other additional linkage to operate the hand brake is allowed.

The following is a new rule and was ratified by the ALRC Council on 16^th June 2012 and took effect on 1^st January 2013.

C.7.3 "A hand brake must be fitted. The hand brake lever may be altered or changed in order to meet the requirement that the hand brake is operable by the driver whilst wearing a seat belt. No other additional linkage to operate the hand brake is allowed."

As a result of the MSA issuing a rule change to reduce the minimum age for passengers in Cross Country Trials where the vehicle is a road legal production vehicle retaining its original hardtop or truck cab, the ALRC Council at their meeting on the 16th June 2012 agreed the following amendment to the ALRC Supplementary Competition Regulations, and took immediate effect.

Section M - Road Taxed Vehicle (RTV) Trial Competition Regulations.

M.1.1. One passenger / navigator only, over the age of 14 years, allowed per vehicle if it has a manufacturers hard top, a truck cab or a roll bar, or where the vehicle is a road legal, mass produced, production vehicle retaining the original hardtop or truck cab and where the seat belts comply with MSA Yearbook 2012 K2.1.1., the minimum age of the passenger can be 12 years; 16 years for an open vehicle.

The following is a new rule and came in to effect on 1^st January 2013.

L.10   CLERK OF COURSE
L.10.1   All Clerks of Course for permitted events must hols a valid full RTA driving licence.

The following wording has been proposed by the ALRC Council to be added to the Articles of Association of the ALRC Ltd to cover the position of President. This is an addition, as the position of President is not currently covered in the Articles of Association. The wording was voted for by the member clubs at the ALRC AGM held on the 17th March 2012. This change was ratified by the ALRC Council on the 16th June 2012 and took immediate effect.

APPOINTMENT OF A PRESIDENT

29a. The Council may from time to time appoint a President to serve the ALRC for a period of three years. The President does not have voting rights at Council meetings and will be bestowed Honorary membership of the ALRC. Serving Presidents are eligible for re-election. Section 35 applies to this position.

Taken from the ALRC Scrutineering & Off Road Committee Minutes of the Meeting from 7^th July 2012.

HANDBRAKES

Discussions took place about link lockers not being permissible - the following needs to be bought to our members attention, with the emboldened section from the Green Book being implanted on 7^th July 2012.

"A separate hydraulic handbrake is permissible.

The wording "independent" was questioned as to what it referred to.

Ideally, D.1.5. should say ". an independent braking system." (this can be hydraulic or mechanical) and also to state that line-lockers in any form is not permitted".

D.1.5. Vehicles shall be fitted with an independent braking system capable of holding them while parked. It shall be activated by a single operation and shall be external to the engine and gearbox. The use of line lockers in any form is prohibited.

Taken from the ALRC Scrutineering & Off Road Committee Minutes of the Meeting from 17^th November 2012.

ROLL CAGE MOUNTS

Discussions had been taking place with the idea being that you should be able to remove or add a roll cage easily by using a fitting that allows this without reducing safety. This could be attached by either a bolted or welded method and applied to either the front or back hoop as a base foot mounting. Refer to page 115 of the 2013 ALRC Members Handbook, item number 8.2.15, and two numbers diagrams for reference.

MUD GUARDS

Attention was bought to an addition ruling to the MSA Blue Book in the Cross Country Secion (please note that this rule has always been in under competitors vehicles covering all motorsport under section J.5.2.6) - but please note this rule applied to all vehicles used in RTV, CCV and Comp Safari.

P56.2.3.   Be equipped on all wheels with mudguards which present no sharp edges and cover the complete wheel (flange+rim+tyre) around an arc of 120 degrees. This minimum coverage must:

a) be achieved with a continuous surface of rigid material within which ventilation louvres may be fitted. The tyre must not be visible when viewed from above.

b) extend forward ahead of the axle line.

c) extend downward behind the wheel.

Reason: This Cross Country Specific regulation mirrors J.5.2.6, except for the omission of the requirement to have no more than 50mm of tyre visible above the axle line when viewed from the rear. The committee has not yet identified a standard production 4x4 that meets that requirement.

This was discussed by the ALRC and particular issues were raised:-

That "The tyre must not be visible when viewed from above." Many vehicles have wheel arch extensions / flares that are not wide enough to cover the tyres. This is also a legal requirement on road-going vehicles.

How rigid is "rigid"? Confirmation has been received from Ian Davis, MSA that Defender wheel arch extensions are deemed rigid by the MSA so provided there is at least 120 degrees of cover of the tyre then this complies with the MSA regulation P.56.2.3. Does this just mean Land Rover wheel arches - not thought so - any similar makes will also be acceptable. The tyres should also not be visible from above. This has always been the case. This rigidity will also apply to Discovery wheel arches. It is not deemed to be a problem with vehicles within the ALRC.

I will take this opportunity to re-iterate the MSA rule on mud flaps for Comp Safari vehicles:-

P57.5.2   The fitting of mud flaps, of a flexible material not less than 5mm thick, behind each road wheel extending to a minimum of 4cm each side of the tyre tread and a maximum of 100cm above the ground when the vehicle is stationary, is mandatory.

Lastly, things to bear in mind for the 2014 season can be found in the MSA Blue Book on page 258.

CHIEF SCRUTINEER - SIMON COOPER

DOOR & FRONT NUMBERS IN COMP SAFARI

Can we bring your attention to the specification required for numbers used in S&S comp safari's - these are MSA rules and applicable to ALL events, it is not just us. These regs have been in the Supp. Regs. for a couple of years now, with front numbers being compulsary for the 2012 season - so make sure your numbers and backgrounds comply for the 2013 season. Numbers and backgrounds are available to buy from signing on.

This is how the SR's are worded:-

Competitors must display running numbers that comply with MSA size regulations - 23cm high displayed on a white background on both sides of the vehicle above the waistline. Competitors must also display their number on the front of the vehicle - black numbers, min height 10cm on a white background with a border of no less than 5mm situated above the waistline on the front of the vehicle.

Please note that it is not acceptable to have your front numbers on the bodywork of the roof or bonnet - this is not visible to the timekeepers, and needs to be forward facing.

Marshall's flags at Staffs and Shrops Comp Safari events will be used according to the instructions detailed in the MSA Blue Book section P.  The following is a guide to assist understanding of the use of flags and is not intended to replace or add to event regulations.  Competitors and officials should familiarise themselves with the MSA regulations and event SRs.
 
Yellow Flags

When a Yellow flag is displayed by a marshal the competitor vehicle must stop unless the marshal indicates to the competitor to proceed (e.g. by waving the driver past the incident).  The competitor can then proceed with caution until clear of the incident. 

If a competitor is instructed to stop with a yellow flag a re-run will normally be given but if the marshal indicates to the competitor to proceed a re-run will not normally be given. 

Blue Book extract:      "When arriving at a point on the course or stage where a yellow flag is being displayed, the competitor must not pass the yellow flag unless instructed to do so by a Marshal and will proceed with caution until clear of the incident, obstruction or stranded vehicle."

"Failure to comply will be penalised by exclusion". 

In the event of live recovery on the course a yellow flag should be used to warn competitors in the same way detailed above. 

Blue Book extract:      "The second (recovery) crew member then proceeds on foot to a safe distance ahead of the stranded vehicle and displays a yellow flag to warn other competitors that a live recovery is taking place."

Red flags will not normally be required, if the course needs to be stopped (e.g. to allow access for emergency services) the course will be closed at the start control and competitors on the course yellow flagged by marshals as required. 

Includes regulation changes bought in from 1.1.08 plus points of interest from Scrutineering and Off Road Committee meetings in May and Sept 2007. Also Tolerance/Allowances Dimensions for all ALRC log booked vehicles.

Points of interest from Scrutineering and Off Road Committee meetings 10.5.08 and 12.7.08 including information on Seat Belts, Alloy Wheels, Helmets and Mup Flaps. Also pipelines in driver compartments.

Includes rule change B.7.1 regarding alloy wheels. Rule on excessively smoky diesel engines. MSA tyre lists and the use of Spill Kits at S&S events.

Including clarification of existing rules as per ALRC 2011 Handbook - bumpers, source and roll cage regulations.

Points of interest from Scrutineering and Off Road Committee meeting held 12.1.08 including pieces on seat belts, window mesh, and aggressive tyres. Plus a rule proposal that is being put forward on suspension regs.

Points of interest from Scrutineering and Off Road Committee meetings 20.9.08 including information on Door Dimensions, use of Bio Diesel and Other Natural Fuels and Single Mounting and Merges Harnesses.

Reminders for new rule changes from January 2010 including helmets, mud flaps and spill kits. Plus guidance on other envirnomental matters.

Including the clarification of existing rules and rule changes affecting Interchange of Passengers in a TYRO and ALRC Log Books. Plus information on helmet standards and additions to the tyre list.

Clarification and ratification of ALRC rule change proposals, some with immediate effect and some that come into effect on 1st January 2012.