Colin Hilton, MSA Chief Executive, said:
"In recent years, we have significantly reduced the number of championship permits awarded, and the panel has decided that from 2008 the minimum grid level will be raised from 16 to 18 cars. By making the retention of a championship permit more difficult, the onus is even more on the clubs to ensure that their championships are attracting strong numbers by providing good value for their competitors."
Found on MSA News Site
Bully
That was announced a month ago in Motorsport News.
This year, the club is averaging 17.8 cars per race. It is only because of the 24 hour race that we get near that figure
Also,
it seems that we will be made to use FIA homologated rain lights next year. Wait til this is confirmed in the Blue Book before spending upwards of £50 on an overpriced fog light!
Seems a good enough reason to maintain the 24hr as a championship round!
maybe lets maintain a championship first
It doesnt matter a light cost £5 or £50 you still cant see them when slip-streaming if they are in the wrong place. Although thats more pertenant to brake lights.
As the incident at the hairpin at mallory proved!
Just heard a rumour that the MSA is not going to make us all have FIA homologated rain lights next year. I will try and confirm this if I get a chance.
At least that's one less expense for everyone
Confirmed trevor
Thanks Paul, at least a bit of sanity seems to prevail at Colnbrook occaisionally
Yeah - word on the street is they've rescinded this - they're not going to make them compulsory for '08. Too much confusion I think :)
Good!
A new Demon Tweeks catalogue arrived today; have you seen the price of said lights? For a bunch of 10p LEDs and a bit of plastic.....
Maybe we should ensure that all rain/brake lights are well placed - self-policing before things are forced upon us would give more of a leg to stand on when negotiating.
Derek
You don't get much chance to negotiate with the MSA. Point in case the requirement for catalytic converters in the new blue book for production cars from a certain year. Imposed because the MSA want to be seen to be green
I use these
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=12696&doy=4m12
Scrutineers seem happy with them, they appear to be the same as Demon Tweeks, obviously you have to sort out the wiring yourself.
Bob,
They look very good, and the cost is unbeatable when compared to DT or GPR. However, do they comply with the blue book? Unfortunately, all the ones that DT and GPR sell are "MSA Approved" or FIA homologated. If the scutes get as finicky as they could do, they could refuse to give your car a ticket.
It's a while since I last checked, but measurements, LED spec etc, were all identical to DT units.
I guess you pays your money etc. etc.
Hi Bob
Do you/Have you used this with a resistor, if so what size.
thanks
Simon
Note to all, the MSA have officially postponed the implementation of the rule on FIA homologated rain lights until 2009 at the earliest
Bob, are those wired for 12 volts?
OK, found the spec sheet. 9 through 12.5 volts
http://www.us.kingbright.com/images/catalog/SPEC/BL0307-50-44.pdf
Hi Nathan,
Yes they are, I a have one fitted as a hi intensity fog light on my Caterham, and we ran one as a brake light on the 2CV this year (Keith and/or Steve could tell you more).
I haven't used a resistor on the Caterham, and have had no problems, whether or not Keith has used a resistor on the 2CV i'm afraid I don't know.
Hope this helps, Happy New Year to everyone.
The prices in UK are absurd. The same "Ultimate Rain Light" that DT sells is over here for $50 USD. And the Kingbright light is $10.50 USD.
http://www.hrpworld.com/index.cfm?form_prod_id=133,53,363_1202&action=product
Of course postage may eat the difference.
Bob,
according to Maplin's FAQ, these lights need a 10 ohm resistor to trim the voltage down to 9.6v.
Knowing how difficult it can be to get staff these days, I'd guess that they've done their calculations using 12 volts for the car's system.
Since that is actually 14.4 volts when on charge, a slightly higher resistance is probably in order to ensure a reasonable life for the leds.
A diode to protect against accidental reverse polarity mightn't be a bad idea either...
Ken.
Quote from: Bob RiceHi Nathan,
Yes they are, I a have one fitted as a hi intensity fog light on my Caterham, and we ran one as a brake light on the 2CV this year (Keith and/or Steve could tell you more).
I haven't used a resistor on the Caterham, and have had no problems, whether or not Keith has used a resistor on the 2CV i'm afraid I don't know.
Hope this helps, Happy New Year to everyone.