I purchased a Gen 2 Radical without an SCCA logbook. Has anyone been through the process of getting a log book? Any issues going through the process. I plan to race at Laguna Seca with the San Fran Region this April and trying to minimize the potential issues. I can't find any info on roll bar thickness and fuel tank construction which I anticipate will be a questions. Any guidance will help!
Hi John, the biggest challenge will likely be if your car has an expired fuel cell because they are only certified for 5 years. If you do need a new fuel cell I can help you out with a discount through Harmon Racing Cells.
Regarding getting your car inspected, I would reach out to Carl @fatbillybob. He hasn't been on the Registry for a while, but he is extremely knowledgeable about the SCCA rules and processes.
Charley
Your chassis should have a FIA placard on it somewhere, that should be the proof needed for the cage/roll hoop.
Your chassis should have a FIA placard on it somewhere, that should be the proof needed for the cage/roll hoop.
It is located on one of the 45 degree roll hoop supports that supports the head rests (not the side supports)
John,
I was in exactly your same situation a few weeks a go and went through the process. As others have said you have an FIA sticker that will answer all the cage questions. Unfortunately I didn't know that and we spent some time making sure it complied before running across the sticker.
As Charlie said you'll need to update your fuel cell. I plan on doing mine as soon as the car comes back.
They also told me I'd have to run a restrictor plate. After talking to several people it doesn't look like anyone makes one so I think I'm just going to run in ASR or whichever class is basically open. To me it's just not worth paying for a custom restrictor plate to be built and then figure out how to modify our cars to run it just to race in P2. We're not competitive there anyway. I'm just doing it to have a race weekend with friends since I've been racing with the SCCA since 2005. I have a 1500 so if your's is a 1340 you may not need the plate.
Other than that you now own a very well built race/track car so there shouldn't be any problems with tech. I'm also installing a fuel sampling/draining adapter on the fuel rail so I can drain fuel and know exactly what I have in the car. They usually only ask for a sample if you're running national events but it's nice to know what you have in there. Team Stradale can sell you all the parts.
Also check the date on your harnesses. It's another item that catches people out at times.
If you ever go to Road America let me know. Would like to have someone else to race with and it's 45min from home so can help if extra support is required.
Just an update and passing info along for others. I contacted SCCA national to confirm if the FIA sticker was good enough. I did not get a clear answer but they told me that if I submitted the year built and chassis number I could get a homologation certificate for $100. It took less than a week to get it.
Thanks for this info. I read through the GCR and did not see any requirements on updating/replacing the fuel cell. I am with you on the restrictor plate. I am running SCCA just to get a chance to drive Laguna Seca. Road America is also on my bucket list and will let you know when I make it up there!!
For John and others:
SCCA GCR March edition page 79 section 9.3.26 states the fuel cells need to be FIA FT-3, 3.5 or 5.
Interestingly it also states "All cars must be equipped with a safety fuel cell complying with these specifications, except for Touring, B-Spec, Spec Miata, Improved Touring, American Sedan restricted prep, production-based Vintage cars, and cars where the stock fuel tank is located between the axle center lines and within the main chassis structure (i.e., frame rails, etc.). Stock fuel tank must remain in its stock location, or as otherwise specified in the GCR." Which sounds like we really don't need a cell to race as some cars come stock with just a aluminum tank? As this is intended to be used while racing, and we sit right next to it, I'll stick with my fuel cell.
Pegasus has a great write up on fuel cells which states FIA certified cells have a life span of 5yrs. https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/document.asp?DocID=TECH00128
Looking forward to seeing you at the track.
Thanks but I am confused.
The GCR also states "Fuel cells do not time out and have no expiration date. Alternatively, safety fuel cells shall be constructed in accordance with FIA FT-3 or higher or SFI 28.3 specifications and tested to those requirements by an independent facility as witnessed and certified by a Professional Engineer.".
Does this mean that since it is FIA FT3 standards overrule the "No expiration date"? I understand it is only certified for 5 years?
Update on fuel cells - I contacted the safety steward in the Nor Cal Region and he told me that fuel cells do not time out or expire under the current CGR. There are discussions within SCCA to apply the FIA and SFI replacement guidelines but currently do not apply.
Well, this is what the fuel cell in my car looked like... so in my opinion they do time out.
@charleyhradicalsportscarregistry-com
I agree with you they do fail but I was just trying to understand the SCCA requirements. It is on my list of "to dos" but at least I don't have to scramble and get it done before Laguna Seca.
John,
Just trying to steer you clear of any trouble. I read the GCR as it's not necessarily an SCCA thing, they're just passing the buck off on the FIA. The FIA says they do. Two cars ago I raced an SPO car and they checked the date on my fuel cell every year during my annual.
That said you did the most correct thing and cleared it with your local region. It's not the first time things vary a little from region to region. You might want to clear it with the Chief of tech prior to getting the annual done. Better yet if someone can do your annual inspection prior to the event you'll have peace of mind.
John, I am not trying to scare you, but it is worth reading (or re-reading) this post about Fuel cell age. The picture of my fuel cell (above) was take when the fuel cell was 7 years old, and it had been unsafe for a long time before fuel started leaking into my cockpit (coincidentally at Laguna Seca).
https://radicalsportscarregistry.com/radicalforum/getting-started/fuel-cell-age/#post-2287
I’m just trying too keep you safe.
Charley
