A couple of Rules clarifications

#1

All:

Thes items were assumed to be legal but Mike and I agreed that they should be spelled-out clearly, to avoid any confusion…

My simple explination is below. See the Rules for the official wording.

We have always allowed removal of the stock fan and replacing it with an electric fan. Of course, the fan shroud and fan clutch can also be removed.

The engine compartment lower plastic panels can be removed. Most E30’s lost some or all of these durng their street life and there is no performance advantage to having, or not having them. In a effort to save our drivers money (to be used on tires and beer) we see no reason to require these lower panels.

However, the small upper panels, inside the engine compartment and behind the headlights, are required. Removing one or both can help increase airflow to the intake so make sure your car has them. Most cars have them (they were protected inside the engine bay) but if your car is missing them, they are easy to find from E30 used parts guys.

Carter

#2

Just to clarify your clarification; the upper panels are required, but removing them will increase airflow (which is beneficial, as you hinted to). Why exactly are these required? Did I read this incorrectly?

#3

Cosmos wrote:

The behind-the-headlight panels are required because that’s how the cars came from the factory. Again, we’re trying to keep the cars as they came, without allowing "creative engineering" which will occur if we don’t keep it simple and stock.

And we aren’t looking for the ultimate speed with the series. Yes, bigger tires would shave a few tenths off the lap times but everyone would then have to buy bigger (and more costly) tires…and we’d be right back where we started. Everyone would have the same tires but the costs would be higher. The RELATIVE laps times wouldn’t change at all but we would all have to spend more money.

The headlight panels are usually in the car, or are easy to find (and there are some performance issues). The lower panels are usually missing and can be difficult to find…and there is no performance issue.

Carter

#4

I don’t have any problem with the rules. I’m not one to argue about why we can’t have this mod or that mod because it would drive costs into a zone where it is contradictory to a spec series. Although, I personally think that removal of these panels to increase airflow is a good idea. Unless there is no way to scrutinize the air intakes in the rules so people don’t go hog wild. Not arguing, the way it was written just sounded backwards, but I get it.

#5

Sure.

And again, I want everyone to feel free to bring up any question or concern.

We would MUCH prefer that something gets discussed here so that an unapproved mod won’t have to be "undone."

Carter