Friday, December 23, 2016

the odd spare tire in Australia's racing



Well, marsupials are only found in Australia, and spare tires only show up under the front windscreen in Australian racing.. .. coincidence?

I haven't looked into why some race cars had to carry a spare tire, but I bet it's all about the race series, and I suspect it's due to calling it the GT race car, and what Grand Touring car would be without a spare tire?

https://primotipo.com/page/31/

3 comments:

  1. Australia strictly followed the FIA rule book, which in the sixties was primarily based on 'production car' values. It wasn't until 69/70 that changes were made to remove some of the old out dated rules inline with the evolution of motor sport.


    The FIA rules as quoted in 1968 had three categories and nine sub groups.

    A. Recognized Production Cars, (required minimum production in 12 consecutive months).
    - Group 1 : series-production touring cars (5,000).
    - Group 2 : touring cars (1,000).
    - Group 3 : grand touring cars (500).
    - Group 4 : sports cars (25).
    Art. 252.-Definitions
    a) Recognized production cars: cars of which the series-production of a certain number of identical cars, has been completed within a certain period of time, and which are meant for the normal sale to the individual purchaser. This period of time is of 12 consecutive months.

    B. Special Cars
    - Group 5 : special touring cars.
    - Group 6 : prototype-sports cars.
    b) Special cars: cars which have nothing or which have no more to do with a series-production vehicle, either that only one of the type has been built, or that the number of units which has been built is inferior to what is required for the group for which the minimum number of units annually produced is the smallest, or that although they originate from a series-production car, they have been modified or equipped with new accessories to the point that their series-production
    nature has been lost.

    C Racing Cars
    - Group 7 : two-seater racing cars.
    - Group 8 : formula racing cars.
    - Group 9 : 'formula libre' racing cars.
    C) Racing cars: cars manufactured solely for speed races on a circuit or a closed course. These cars are generally defined by the international racing formulae the specifications of which are fixed by the FIA for a certain period of time. Racing cars not being defined by any international formula are said to be "formule libre" and their specifications must in that case be set out in the supplementary regulations of the event.

    With all this being said. In the case of David McKay and the Ferrari, a formula car it was not, and it had two seats. Not even close to being a Production car, its fit was as a 'Two Seater Racing Car' under Group 7.

    Again, that's all very good and well. Except that it also still states:
    Article 253...
    k) Spare-wheels: all cars shall be equipped with at least one spare wheel with its tyre occupying the position provided for by the manufacturer which may not encroach upon the space provided for luggage.
    The spare wheel must be equipped with a tyre of the same dimensions as those fitted on at least two wheels of the car.

    So, regarding that dodgy home made bracket and bungy cord. It meant the P4 was now "equipped" with a spare. Never having a designated position determined by the manufacturer, it could have been placed anywhere so long as the car was 'equipped' with one. It did not 'encroach upon the space intended for luggage', as it did not have any. And the wheel and tyre were the same as on the car.

    Box ticked, lets go racing.....

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    Replies
    1. THANKS! that's a lot of rules to just get the definitions out of the way... so, group 7 - 2 seater racing car article 253 k) spare wheel required, same size as used on the road, not in the luggage compartment. Why in the world wasn't it allowed to be in the luggage space? Strange. But you sure came through with the answer! I sure appreciate that!

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  2. Oh, you will like this one then.

    h) Luggage trunk: a covered space shall be provided which is an integral
    part of the coachwork but outside the space occupied by the passenger seats.
    This space shall be such as to enable to carry without special difficulty a number of suit-cases, sheltered from rain or dirt which varies according to the cylinder-capacity of the engine equipping the car (see below), of the following minimum dimensions: 60 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm.
    Cylinder-capacity inferior or equal to 2,000 cc: 1 suit-case,
    Cylinder-capacity superior to 2,000 cc: 2 suit-cases.
    However, in cars having inside dimensions which are inferior to the minimal laid down in article 253 b to allow classification as a four-seater, but which contain a compartment behind the front seat; liable to receive passengers, this compartment may be taken into account as luggage space whether or not it has been equipped for this purpose but without modifying any of the original parts.

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