Section : Car Preparation

Racecar windows 

Posted By : Michael Davis, 21-Sep-2003, 02:10pm

• Racecar windows 

  Posted By : Andy Vowell, 21-Sep-2003, 03:55pm

  I'm pretty sure you do have to have some sort of opening but can't remember the rules for it, may be so the marshalls can speak to you with out opening the door. A lot of guys just have their fixed windows with a variety of holes drilled so they can be dropped to half open as required then raised back up for transport.
  
  And you will really appreciate an opening for your own benefit too, as with a hotter cam ,hotter exhaust and the heavy heat lagging stripped from the gearbox tunnel it gets baking in there.
  
  I ran an airscoop in the roof which was a godsend on hot days and the fastest the ex Yugo part ever went ;-)
  
  Cheers
  Andy

  • Racecar windows 

    Posted By : Michael Davis, 21-Sep-2003, 11:19pm

    Yes, I plan on making some holes. I was just wondering whether to make a set of small holes or one big one. Several small ones would be easier for me but I was wondering if there were any particular rules about it (I haven't found any yet in the blue book but I'm still looking).
    
    Mik

    • Racecar windows 

      Posted By : Richard King, 22-Sep-2003, 08:02am

      I've a set of smaller holes, and no one has ever said anything, mind you my windows fit so badly you can get your arm out the gaps at the back anyway I was told it wasn't necessary if your car had working indicators, but I'm not sure how accurate that advice is.
      
      It can be useful to have an arm sized hole to alert others that you're pulling in or to indicate to marshals that you've stalled on the grid etc.

      • Racecar windows 

        Posted By : Michael Davis, 22-Sep-2003, 09:11am

        Yes, the regs say you can indicate that you are unable to take the start by either raising your arm or using the indicators.
        
        OK, thanks for the advice people. I'll not get much if any chance to work on the car this week so I'll look into this further next week.
        
        Mik

        • Racecar windows 

          Posted By : Martyn Adams, 22-Sep-2003, 05:05pm

          It is a good idea to be able to get your arm out of the window, to be able to signal. However, I suggest you don't make it too big, as a few years ago the scrutineers were keen on the wording in the rules - can't remember exactly what they say - but along the lines that you need to have netting or some other restraint to stop your arm flailing out of the car if you roll it.
          
          I hear that the Yanks all race their Spits open-top and use the 'HANDS' (?) device for arm restraint. I've not heard anything about Andy V having any trouble at scrutineering but that doesn't mean there won't be a difficult scrut in the future.
          
          Martyn

          • Racecar windows 

            Posted By : Mark Hadfield, 22-Sep-2003, 08:39pm

            Hi Mik
            I have got a sliding window near the steering wheel which is really handy when trying to push the car around the garage and in tight spaces when you cant have the car door open and as Andy said it gets very hot its nice to get a flow of air in the car
            
            Mark

            • Racecar windows 

              Posted By : Andy Winterton, 14-Oct-2003, 10:02pm

              My experience of running without a side window on the spit was that the assembly marshalls always reminded me to wind up my window - I took to sitting with my arm casually lain along the top of the door, hiding the fact that I had no window.
              
              Having said that, I never "got a tug" at scrutineering. Eventually the pressure of wondering if I needed a net (think I did) persuaded me to sell the car and buy one with ready fitted windows!
              
              Hope this helps

              • Racecar windows 

                Posted By : John Davies, 15-Oct-2003, 00:49am

                FYI,
                I just found the relevant para in the MSA Regs. It's J 20.2.5. "It is RECOMMENDED (my caps) to have the driver's window closed......or that suitable netting be installed" So they can't make you do it.
                John

          • Racecar windows 

            Posted By : John Davies, 22-Sep-2003, 09:22pm

            All,
            The HANS (Head And Neck Support) device is that neck brace now worn by F1 drivers, that caused so much pain to Justin Whatisname early this season. The arm restraint device is just a strap from seat belt to wrist, that stops the hands going above the steering wheel.
            
            All rather S&M I think, but each to their own.
            
            Any open window exerts a significant drag disadvantage, so the smaller the hole/s the better, or make a sliding closure.
            My old Vitesse raced for years with open windows, and the occasional benign comment from scrutineers. Maybe they are being told to be more scrutinous nowadays.
            JOhn