The Spec E30 Philosophy

#1

At Road Atlanta, I saw some well prepared cars, and some interesting non-approved mods. 'Nothing real serious or significant regarding performance, but illegal none the less.

No one got DQ’d but the illegal mods were mentioned to the car owners, which surprised some.

I saw…

  1. An "oil pan protector" plate.
  2. A missing windshield wiper, removed by the driver.
  3. Missing rear headlight plates.
  4. A screen in front of the radiator
  5. A "somewhat" ram-air hose hookup
  6. A 3" hose passing through a cut hole the headlight plate that directs cold air to the exhaust manifold

When I asked the drivers where I could find the rule that allows these mods, they (understandably) said that those mods don’t really make a difference in the performance of the car…and I agreed. However, their eyes got real big when I mentioned these are still illegal mods, showing that the rules were not consulted when the mods were built/fabricated/installed.

Basically, we need everyone to embrace the Spec E30 philosophy. Before touching the car, go down the Rules like a list, line-by-line, and only do the mods that are mentioned. And don’t do anything else. Nothing.

Of course, we have a natural instinct to want to personalize our cars but do that after looking at the Rules. Or pick a bright color.

:laugh:

My answers to the mods I saw…

  1. Broken oil pans has not been a problem in three years of Spec E30 racing.
  2. If the wiper covers your name decal, move the decal or reposition the wiper slightly.
  3. Find the rear headlight plates in your garage and put them back in the car, or get a pair from a BMW junkyard for $5.00
  4. Radiators are not getting clogged by dirt and bugs.
  5. The stock airbox works great and the cone filters haven’t proven to do much of anything, performance-wise. Save your time and money.
  6. Overheated exhaust manifolds hasn’t been a problem.

But the bottom line is, don’t make any change to the car unless you see it written in the Rules. Following this simple advice will save you time, money, and trouble. My car is very simple and I’m planning to keep it that way. And it has proven to be a quick and reliable performer. I couldn’t ask for any more.

And the only reason I’m mentioning this is that small mods that are rationalized by the owners can grow into mods that get larger and larger. If a driver sees a mod on another car, he’ll think that he can then make this or that mod. And it goes on from there.

This is a part (not all, but a part) of the rules creep we are trying so desperately to avoid.

If anyone has any question about a mod, any mod, look in the Rules before you do anything. I’m always happy to help in any way possible and private emails are just fine.

Those who come from other series that don’t enforce the rules are surprised at the Spec E30 philosophy. However, if we all stick to the plan, we will all benefit from it.

Carter
carterhunt@aol.com

#2

Carter, I agree with you whole-heartedly on rules creep, but two things occur to me (it may just be the cough-induced insomnia speaking)

[quote]9.3.13.13 Screenings of one-fourth (1/4) inch minimum mesh may be added over any openings in the front of the vehicle, contained entirely with the bodywork of the vehicle.[/quote]Wouldn’t this legalize the (wholly unnecessary) radiator screening?

Also, BMW offered a dealer option for an Aggregate Protective Plate that mounted under the oilpan – is that what you saw? (It’s possible that someone new to SpecE30 and unfamiliar with E30s wouldn’t be aware that such a part (if on the car when purchased) wasn’t ‘factory stock.’

Just a thought, definitely not a defense. As it is, I’ve seen a couple of missing headlight backplates and pointed them out (discretely) to other prospective and current SpecE30 drivers.

BTW, copying of text in the Rules PDF is still disabled.

Post edited by: sharkd, at: 2006/08/15 11:09

#3

sharkd wrote:

[quote]Carter, I agree with you whole-heartedly on rules creep, but two things occur to me (it may just be the cough-induced insomnia speaking)

[quote]9.3.13.13 Screenings of one-fourth (1/4) inch minimum mesh may be added over any openings in the front of the vehicle, contained entirely with the bodywork of the vehicle.[/quote]Wouldn’t this legalize the (wholly unnecessary) radiator screening?

Also, BMW offered a dealer option for an Aggregate Protective Plate that mounted under the oilpan – is that what you saw? (It’s possible that someone unfamiliar with E30s wouldn’t be aware that such a part (if on the car when purchased) wasn’t ‘factory stock.’

Just a thought, definitely not a defense. As it is, I’ve seen a couple of missing headlight backplates and pointed them out (discretely) to other prospective and current SpecE30 drivers.

BTW, copying of text in the Rules PDF is still disabled.[i][/quote]
That plate is not a common occurance but not unusual. A friend of mine bought an E30 with that installed and wondered what it was…

#4

Oops, the can of worms has been opened. No, Carter is not talking about the BMW skid plate.Thanks to the steadfast insistance of rules enforcement those that are racing will likely let common sense prevail. Rules creep will likely be reserved for real performance issues. Notice the use of the word "likely" in the previous two sentenences? I may be speaking out of school, but asking that Carter and Mike pass strick judgement on obscure items is not the way to proceed.Read the rules, build a clean car, and go racing with the confidence that you can compete heads-up with other in a test of driver skill. Now, I must go and install my trunk light, my license plate light and remove my license plate holder.However, my passenger, BettyMae will stay in the rear seat. Regards, Robert Patton

Post edited by: patton, at: 2006/08/15 10:34

#5

If figured that the plate that Carter saw wasn’t the dealer option part (he’s been around E30s long enough to probably know of parts that aren’t even listed in the catalog), but I just wanted to make sure.

#6

Dan:

We’ll check the Rules PDF. Thanks for mentioning it. And thanks for the comments on the parts you describe.

The screen rule is pretty clear (the radiator itself isn’t an "opening in the front of the vehicle") but again, no one will get DQ’d for a screen over the radiator.

Regarding the protective plate; I didn’t know about this and I hope our drivers who are more aware of these things, will continue to offer their expertice.

Robert:

There won’t be strick judgements made on obscure items but they will certainly be brought to the attention of the drivers, as was done at Road Atlanta this weekend. And your car wouldn’t be the same if Betty Mae isn’t belted into the back seat.

:slight_smile:

Carter

#7

Carter, sounds like kissing-up to say "10-4 good buddy." But, the correct response is 10-4. Now, let’s go racing at Robeling Road. I’ve got a pass going into turn one that I want to try.Regards, Robert Patton

#8

Carter, I’m guilty as charged of not having the plastic plates behind the headlights. Not that it matters, but I didn’t remove them, and the guy that performed most of the work on my car didn’t remove them either. Apparently it is common for these items to be removed when headlights are replaced and the dealership commonly would leave them out. I will acquire these items from a local junk yard since I do not have access to the original part.

I concur that rule enforcement is a good thing.

PS: how did you make a small block V8 look and sound like an inline 6? :wink:

#9

Steve:

Thirteen years of sports car racing tends to make my motor seem stronger to the new guys.

:wink:

I was REALLY hoping there would be a dyno at Road Atlanta. I’m told there will be one at the National Championship weekend.

'Good to have you in the group.

Carter

ps. When is your son doing his first driver school?

#10

A dyno would have been good as my rebuilt big-paper-number engine didn’t have any pull on your 200k+ engine.Dissapointed…no, because that leaves a can of worms for others to open.Regards, Robert

#11

Carter, My son is seriously stoked…I told him I would send him to racing school for his 18th birthday. He is counting the days until he can take the old man out of the car.

I hope you know I am seriously kidding you about your car being anything more than stock. I would never ask you to put your car on a dyno. This series has serious credibility because of you and your efforts. I’m just tickeled to death to be a part of it. All I ask is that you slow down enough for me to learn what the heck I have to do to be as fast. :slight_smile:

#12

Definitely all in good fun Steve. And I was kidding too.

But I do want everyone to know that my car goes on the dyno whenever any Spec E30 car at that event goes on the dyno.

Carter

#13

I found a junk yard that will sell me the plastic headlight panels I am missing for $5.00. Thanks to all who offered to help me locate these missing parts. As I mentioned before, I completely agree with rule enforcement and think it best for our series.