The Place

Has anyone got any idea if the proposed rule on the age of outfits is going ahead for next season or not

Dicky

Question......how can they prove the age off a sidecar as no vin numbers are on most sidecars except lcr's

Are you suggesting people would lie and then tell the organisers to prove the chassis is older than they claim?

I'm not suggesting anything lol. Just there is no proof of a chassis age as no vin no.'s are fitted.

Colin Jacobs numbered the chassis he built.

What is the proposed cut off date?

7 years old as apparently that is the life span of a Swiss fondue outfit

The few remaining chassis builders will be busy , or there wont be many outfits on the grid!!
Is this an ACU proposal or an IOM Governement proposal?

I'd love to know who even surgested such a daft rule in the first place especially when some chassis are not even used at the tt that often within their life time and what happens if someone took a few years out but their sidecar was still perfectly useable on their return.

Next they will be telling use to use white walled tyres lol

I am told that this proposed rule change for sidecars may not only apply to the chassis, but may well include the age of the motor.
I understand that it would be to make the sidecar regulations the same as some solo classes.

Is there any substance to the rumour, that the use of one-piece fairings on f2 sidecars is to be reviewed on the grounds of safety ?

I'm all for improving safety but based on facts not opinions. Lets say a Fondue machine was only used at the IOM it would be well past its sell by date at 7 years, whereas some tube machines may still be serviceable.

I think my question has been answered, this is being driven by the IOM Governement & or politicians.
Again, the "once a year" TT races will dictate what the riders & passengers can race in ALL F2 sidecar races in the UK.

I can't answer Howards question on the one piece fairings but, I've never liked them & I feel they are a danger to drivers. In an incident, drivers of outfits with one piece fairings seem to come of worse than the passengers who dont have that "protection" This goes for F1 aswell.

I number mine Matt as well with documented history of alterations etc. I dont tell people where it is because one individual was trying to sell one of my bikes saying it was seven years younger than it was The seven year chassis rule existed in the early nineties and someone I know with a perfectly good Ireson got turned away !!. I only ever rode once on an F2 once with a one piece fairing I personally didnt like it because the passenger cannot get right foward on your back to help give front end grip.

I thought F2 rules stated that a riders feet had to be visible from above ?

I cant see anything in the ACU handbook

18.5 STREAMLINING AND BODYWORK
The streamlining must be easily detachable for Technical Inspection. Aerofoils or spoilers are not
permitted on streamlining.
The forward extremity of the streamlining shall not be more than 400mm in front of the line taken
from a vertical tangent to the front tyre.
The extreme rear edge of the streamlining must not be more than 400mm to the rear of the line taken
from a vertical tangent to the rear tyre.
The provision of coachwork or streamlining is optional, but the vehicle must have accommodation
for a passenger and the coachwork or streamlining shall not impede complete freedom of movement
by the rider or passenger at all times.
Whatever the position of the handlebars, there must be a space of at least 20mm between the
streamlining and the ends of the handlebars or any other parts of the steering mechanism or front
wheel.
A solid and effective protection must be fitted between the rider and the engine, this protection must
prevent direct contact between the riders body or clothing and escaping flames or leaking fuel or oil.
The fairing must be mounted in such a way as to ensure the integrity of the whole installation in the
event of failure of any individual mounting

For some bizarre reason its in the section below

18.6 PASSENGER PLATFORM
Minimum dimensions 800mm by 300mm measured 150mm above the platform. The orientation is
free.
RIDER The rider in the normal riding position must be completely visible, with the exception of the
arms, legs, and feet from above.
PASSENGER The passenger must be able to lean out to either side of the sidecar, for this purpose the
vehicle must be fitted with suitable hand-holds for the passenger to hold on to when leaning out. The
hand-holds must be of the closed loop type, a single projection hand-hold is not permitted.