Ok. So I made a ~50 lb lead weight for my car and am at the shop about to mount it. I am unclear on a few things though. Can I put it anywhere in the passenger seat area? I would guess the best place would be as far back and to the right as it will go? I think Corey IMed me a while back and said that I needed to use 5/8" bolts and some sort of backing plate top and bottom. On the top, this backing plate does not need to be as big as the weight does it? It is just a support for the bolts to keep them from pulling through the holes in the plate. Right?

Also, I currently have a cool suit system in the car. I can't find anything in the NASA CCR or HC rules regarding where it has to be mounted. Right now I have it in the back of the car. But since it is part of the car's minimum weight it is basically ballast in the rear of the car. Could I be protested for that? Unless Karl weighs in on this thread I guess I am going to have to email him and/or someone at NASA. I am just not clear on a lot of stuff related to ballasting cars.

Damn, just noticed that Integras have to ballasted to 2575. I thought it was 2550. Guess I am going to be adding more weight.

 

If you want to ``IT safe'' put the ballast between the passenger seat mounting points.

BTW: I think the rule on min weight is, Brinson 2675.

 

Front passenger side floorboard is safest. I'm in Orlando without all my stuff, so I don't have the rules in front of me, but I'd do pass. side floorboard. FRONT passenger (talk to James Clay about this).

You can also go out with a lot of gas. Or you could gamble that the cars weighed won't include yours. I picked my own car at random (doh!) at CMP and went out with a full tank "just in case." I was heavy as a result.

 

Per IT rules, balast must be placed between the front passenger seat mount and the firewall as far as I know (will look for the thread on IT.com about this). I would put your cool suit mount behind that between the psgr seat rails. As for the bolts, I believe you need 2 bolts - not sure of any other specification.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ballast up to 100lb maximum may be located in the FRONT passenger footwell area, aft of the firewall and any footwell angle, and forward of the passenger seat.</TD></TR></TABLE>

taken from Improved Touring

 

My car is not even close to IT legal anyway so if we are allowed to put the weight as far back in the passenger seat area as possible in NASA I would rather do that. Karl, should I kick the location question for the weight and cool suit up to someone in NASA VA? It is really a NASA CCR related question isn't it?

 

No mention of how to add the weight in the ECHC rulebook.

WCHC rulebook 'sez

6.1 Vehicle Minimum Weights
Up to 150lb of ballast may be added to the vehicle. Such ballast must meet NASA CCR and can only be installed in the passenger footwell area between the firewall and rear most factory seat mounting holes for the front seat.

NASA CCR 'sez

nothing about how to mount it.

SCCA IT 2003 GCR

in addition to what is posted above: no more than 50#s a segment & removable so that they can be weighed apart from the car. min. of two 1/2" bolts per segment grade 5 or better with positive lock nuts & large diameter load distributing washers, holes may be drilled in floorpan for purpose of mounting & reinforced for this purpose.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by civicrr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">WCHC rulebook 'sez

6.1 Vehicle Minimum Weights
Up to 150lb of ballast may be added to the vehicle. Such ballast must meet NASA CCR and can only be installed in the passenger footwell area between the firewall and rear most factory seat mounting holes for the front seat.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

And thats how I mounted mine, because we will be on the WCHC rules next year anyways..
Rear most front seat mount is covered by tape above fire bottle, even w/ the most rearward of the weight


Backing plate underneith..


Hope this helps.. Its not moving anywhere! I used 5/8 bolts..

 

Just realized I didn't put locknuts on.. off to the hardware store..

 

It pays to be a heavyweight. I'm exactly 2580 with half a tank, minus the gear (suit, helmet, etc.)!!!

No added weight for me...y0

 

hi Chris....don't forget you have to come off the track at or over the minimum weight. Better check your gas mileage to make sure you don't use up too much....

 

Per the rules, and shown above, the weight must be placed next to an empty water bottle. Summer footware should be stored in the footwell, forward of fire fighting equipment, and extra large beverage cooling apparatus. Be sure to leave gloves aft of weight, especially during the actual race. Wearing the gloves could be hazardous and is NOT recommended!


Matt

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speedracer33 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Per the rules, and shown above, the weight must be placed next to an empty water bottle. Summer footware should be stored in the footwell, forward of fire fighting equipment, and extra large beverage cooling apparatus. Be sure to leave gloves aft of weight, especially during the actual race. Wearing the gloves could be hazardous and is NOT recommended!


Matt</TD></TR></TABLE>

Crap, beat me to it.

 

Cooler must be filled w/ favorite "Bud" product...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jason Franza &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It pays to be a heavyweight. I'm exactly 2580 with half a tank, minus the gear (suit, helmet, etc.)!!!

No added weight for me...y0 </TD></TR></TABLE>

Hum, thats only 200lbs lighter than me
I am at 2780, w/ full load of fuel, all my ****, and weights.. basically, I have 55lbs of fuel I can use before I am underweight..

If you are at 2580 w/ you and a half tank (6 gals?), you would add about 48lbs or so if it was a full tank.. Your min weight is 2575 right? Thats after the race.. So make sure to fill that tank up before you race..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Honda318dx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hum, thats only 200lbs lighter than me
I am at 2780, w/ full load of fuel, all my ****, and weights.. basically, I have 55lbs of fuel I can use before I am underweight..
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, I have to make up for having near 25whp less than you somehow

 

Alright, but who is the lightest driver? I'll call myself the favorite in that category, though I've gained about 6 pounds since last season. I'm up to a porky 138lbs (5'8" tall).


Matt

 

138?!

Matt-

You need to bulk up, dude. 220 here.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speedracer33 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm up to a porky 138lbs (5'8" tall).
</TD></TR></TABLE>

you got me beat by 2 lbs , I got you beat by 2"

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speedracer33 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm up to a porky 138lbs (5'8" tall).</TD></TR></TABLE>

Dayum. I knew you were a skinny guy, but come-on, hit the gym or eat a bit will ya?

Al - who is 5'8" and 165lbs.

 

I *AM* hitting the gym. That's why I'm up to 138! This is the most I've ever weighed by far. I was always right around 130 or so.... I hope it doesn't slow me down too much!


Matt

 

Thanks for the WCHC rules quote on the weight! Any help on the cool suit system? I have a lot to do as it is this week without relocating the cool suit to the passenger area. But if that seems to be a protestable point then I should do that as well.

 

I didn't find anything that says where you have to run the cooler. I would put it where it works the best for you....for whatever reason.

 

If I ever join this or any series, having to make minimum weights is going to BLOW.

Me = 140

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by civicrr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I didn't find anything that says where you have to run the cooler. I would put it where it works the best for you....for whatever reason.</TD></TR></TABLE>

With that being the case, I'd put it as far away from you as possible - that spray can be irritating (not enough to not run it ...), at least mine does.