When I purchased my race car I was told that it is a legal IP3 race car (and it is). After checking the rules, the most notable item that popped out at me from the rule book was :

"no component or part normally found on a stock example of a given vehicle may be disabled, altered or removed..."

Of course further to that we also have the following:

"...protest against a car, that is for example, based on the absence of a valve cap or a cigar lighter, will be deemed vexatious..."


Ok, I am in agreement with the last statement. But how far does the limit of "vexatious" go?


Being a rather heavy driver, I search for ways to lighten the car (yes, including eating a few less cheesburgers   ) by removing useless parts but never did because I was constantly told that would make my car illegal....


So I ask the gurus of the TECH world... What parts would fall under the category of "vexatious"? For example, I still have in the car the rear windshield wiper motor, windshield washer fluid bottle and those hydraulic pistons that hold up my rear hatch because they are "parts normally found on a stock example".


I don't see these parts on a few of the other cars..... are they still legal?

I would appreciate some clarification on these matters.

Thanks

If one protests a car for having an unfair competitive advantage because it's missing a 3oz cigarette lighter it may be considered "vexatious". However, if a vehicle is missing the lighter, along with a wiper motor and perhaps some other components then I would warn you that you would be in a position to be protested without a defendable position. You were well advised not to remove parts to lighten your car. But I wouldn't protest someone if the knob on their heater was missing. This comment in the rule book is asking everyone to use common sense as we all are keenly aware when we cross the line, even though we tend to pretend we don't.

Read the SCCA rules for IT cars. They will tell you what you are allowed to remove, modify etc.
The duties of the Scrutineer(s) are not limited to safety items. Vehicle eligibility for the class they are enterd in is also part of the duties.

From the CACC GCR:
9.6 Scrutineer
A. Ensures the inspection for eligibility of all cars prior to the first track session and at any other subsequent time.

B. Reports to the clerk of the course the results of pre-race inspections and any subsequent inspections.

C. Inspects any cars damaged during track sessions.

D. Report to the clerk of the course any vehicle that is found not to conform to the requirements of the regulations.

E. The Scrutineer may re-inspect any and all vehicles that may become unsafe at any time during the event and conducts technical inspections at the request of the clerk of the course.

F. The Scrutineer shall not communicate any official information to any other person than the clerk of the course or steward.

The scales will be out for the next CACC race. I hope by about 10 AM on Saturday for those of you wanting to check the weight of your vehicle.
The ICSCC race will probably have scales. Their rules require that the top three cars in class be weighed at the end of the race.
The first Cacc race was busy doing Annual Tech inspections. This usually was only to check safety items and quick visuals of the cars. Remember that cars may also comply with CACC rule 18.4.E
There is a choice. SCCA IT rules or CACC 18.4.E
not a combination.

18.4 Classification

E. All CACC registered Improved Production cars with a log book issued prior to June 1st, 2008 shall be allowed to compete in the class but must conform to the
published 2007 CACC Improved Production rules. This shall be noted in the vehicle logbook and dated by the Chief Scrutineer.

I agree Sign_Guy, I am not posting all this to be mean spirited but my understanding is we should be following the rules, which I believe is true.....

Tech mentioned the rule below:

18.4 Classification

E. All CACC registered Improved Production cars with a log book issued prior to June 1st, 2008 shall be allowed to compete in the class but must conform to the
published 2007 CACC Improved Production rules.

Can we get further clarification on this? are the 2007 rules different than the 2009 or 2010 rules?

Plainly speaking, are there a loopholes? Because my car has a logbook issued prior to the aforementioned date....

I don't have a copy of the 2007 CACC Race Regs, but back in 2007 I made a list of the differences between our then-current IP rules and the then-current SCCA IT rules:

1. In IP front license plates and brackets must be removed, no ruling in IT.
2. In IP headlights may be removed and the openings covered, prohibited in IT.
3. In IP the steering lock mechanism may be removed, in IT it must be removed.
4. In IP removal of door windows and mechanisms is allowed, in IT it is only allowed if "NASCAR-style" side protection is used.
5. In IP removal of door interior trim is allowed, in IT it is only allowed if a 0.060" aluminum sheet is used to cover the openings.
6. In IP removal of the door side impact beams is allowed, prohibited in IT.
7. In IP turn signals, fog and and accessory driving lights may be removed, prohibited in IT.
8. In IP there is no minimum ride height, in IT the minimum ride height is 5 inches as measured from the lowest point of the rocker panel.
9. In IP there is no restriction on wheel width, in IT there is.
10. In IP wheel size may be increased or decreased up to 2" from stock size, in IT wheel sizes are more restricted.
11. In IP brake calipers, rotors, and hubs are unrestricted, in IT they must be stock.
12. In IP any brake proportioning valve may be used, in IT only proportioning valves of certain types may be used.
13. In IP bumper grilles may be removed to facilitate brake cooling, in IT this is not permitted.
14. In IP turbocharged/supercharged cars are eligible to compete, in IT they are not.
15. In IP air intakes may be relocated anywhere, in IT they may be moved anywhere inside the engine bay or remain in the stock location.

I believe that under the old rules, directing air through a headlight opening to the engine intake was not legal.

If anybody has a link to the 2007 rules for those of us that don't have access to them anymore, that would be much appreciated.

- Jordy

I believe the 2007 CACC IP rules were the same as the 2006 rules. I have not been able to find a 2007 only rule book. I seem to remember that there was no new 2007 rule book, only green sheets to update the 2006 book. Lorne may a better memory of this.
I have a copy of the 2006 book. I scanned the IP pages.
If someone needs a copy of these let me know. I'll send them to you as a PDF.

What I posted wasn't a "ruling", it was an opinion on a hypothetical situation.  Not sure why that in particular was worth a comment.