INDEX S
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CR63
SAFETY BELTS AND HARNESSES
CR64
SAFETY HUBS
CR65
SEATING
CR66
SHOCK ABSORBERS
CR67
STARTERS
CR68
STEERING
CR69
STEERING WHEELS
CR70
SUPERCHARGERS
CR71
SUPERCHARGER RESTRAINTS
CR72
SUSPENSION
A
ARTICLE:
CR63: SAFETY BELTS AND HARNESSES
63.1
All vehicles regardless of performance or age must be fitted with a minimum lap/sash, three-point quick release driver's seat belt in good operating condition and complying with the South African road ordinance requirements for safety belts.
63.2
Enclosed vehicles, vehicles (i.e. Sedans, Bakkies, Coupes, etc.) capable of running quicker than 11.99 seconds in any bracket or class are required to have a minimum four-point safety belt/harness in good operating condition fitted for driver protection. Dragsters, Funny Cars and open-wheel, space frame vehicles specifically designed for Drag Racing as well as Altereds capable of times quicker than 9.99 are required to have a centre-locking, five-point "inverted V" type racing harness incorporating a crotch strap.
63.3
In all circumstances, belts must be in good condition and securely fastened to the frame or a suitably reinforced mounting so that all fittings are in a direct line with the direction of pull.
63.4
If the belt mounting point requires reinforcement, a minimum 75mm x 75mm x 6mm plate must be used to adequately anchor the harness at each mounting point.
63.5
Under no circumstances are bolts to be inserted through belt webbing. In any vehicle requiring a roll bar as minimum structural protection, inertia reel belt/harness assemblies are not permitted.
63.6
All harnesses must be installed in such a manner that they will limit the travel of the driver's body, both upward and forward. Shoulder straps mounted behind the driver must be above a theoretical line of 40° down from horizontal, but not above the horizontal.
63.7
Protective plates are mandatory where belts wrap around any frame area exposed to potential abrasion, especially in an accident or in the event of wheel loss.
63.8
Belts to be worn and securely fastened at all times while the vehicle is driven and propelled by it's own engine.
63.9
Belts to be worn and securely fastened at all times while the vehicle is driven and propelled by its own engine.
63.10
Device Specifics
a.
Approved Specification
Only those harnesses which comply with one of the following standards will be approved by MSA for use in the specified categories: FIA / SFI / FMVSS
FIA LABEL
The main label identifies the harness belt system and carries all information required by the FIA, i.e. Manufacturer, Last year of use and FIA homologation number. The label is sewn onto the harness belt portion permanently fixed to the buckle.
"B" = harness restraint with 4 straps in contact with the body; "C" = harness restraint with 5 straps in contact with the body; "D" = harness restraint with 6 straps in contact with the body; Homologation number issued by the FIA, e.g. 136; "T" = for rotary buckle version (Turn) " "P" = for push button buckle version (Push).
    Digits representing the year of issue in respect to the standard the harness belt is homologated under. In terms of the above international standards only those harnesses with a minimum of 3" (approx. 75mm) shoulder straps with 2" (approx. 50mm) or 3" (approx. 75mm) waist straps are approved. In terms of the approved international standards safety harnesses with 3/4/5/6 mounting points are permitted, although it is recommended that an anti-submarine (crutch) strap be utilized. The only exception to the above specification is the combination 2" / 3" shoulder straps fitted to those FIA approved safety harnesses specifically intended for use in conjunction with the HANS head restraint system, in which case the relevant FIA label will clearly state "FOR HANS USE ONLY". It should be noted that approval of this particular harness is only valid should the product be used in conjunction with the HANS head restraint system which must be produced at scrutineering. The addition of shoulder pads is strongly recommended where the use thereof is practical within the specific application.
a
b.
Non-Compliance
a The approval of safety harnesses that comply with the above international standards will be considered to have expired in the event of the following:
a FIA approval - Date of expiry as indicated on label; SFI approval - Date of manufacture as indicated on label + 5 years; ii. FMVSS approval - Date of manufacture as indicated on label + 5 years
a   The approval of safety harnesses that comply with the above international standards will no longer be approved in the event of the following: Excessive wear (fraying) exceeding a total of 3mm on any of the shoulder and waist straps. It is apparent that the safety harness has been modified from its original form or repaired in some manner. The individual safety harness components (shoulder straps / waist straps) are different colours. Anti-submarine (crutch straps) are however exempt from this requirement. The date of expiry or manufacture as per the label that appears on each of the safety harness components differs.
a
c.
Installation
a   When installing a safety harness the manufacture installation instructions should be followed carefully so as to ensure that the performance of the product is optimized. All fittings, nuts, bolts, etc. used during the installation process must be suitable for the purpose of safety harness installation so as to allow the harness to perform as intended. Annexure J, Article 253-42 of the FIA regulations clearly specifies the correct installation procedure.
a   Figure 1 shows the strap angles required for proper safety harness installation. In order to ensure correct anchorage and performance in the event of an incident it is important that these angles be met. Use of an improper anchorage or routing of any strap will reduce safety harness performance and increase the risk of serious injury or Death.
a a Never run the shoulder straps downwards from the backrest slots without a strap support bar which can withstand the load applied to it during a crash. The seat backrest is not designed to accommodate this load and may collapse in the event of an accident, thereby greatly increasing forward movement of the occupant which can cause serious injury or death.
a a An anti-submarine (crutch) strap routed towards the rear may cause serious injury during a crash as it is not designed to be a body restraint and is only intended to keep the lap belt in place during a crash so as to reduce the risk of "submarining". Similarly the anti-submarine strap should never be run over the front line of the seat as such an installation will eliminate its intended function.
a a In those instances where the shoulder straps anchorage points are located more than 450mm from the rear of the backrest, it is important that the shoulder straps cross each other at the same level as that which the shoulder straps pass through the seat. Improperly installed shoulder straps may slip the shoulders during a crash and thereby increase the risk of severe head and neck injury or even death.
a a Eye-bolt Installation
a a The minimum length of an eye-bolt used in the installation of a safety harness should be 25mm, ideally used in conjunction with a spring washer to secure the bolt from loosening. Always make sure that the eye-bolt is positioned in the direction the belt will pull in a head on collision. Eye-bolts should be tightened to a minimum torque of 40Nm using a reliable torque wrench
a a It is recommended that the anchorage points of the vehicle manufacturer be utilised wherever possible in respect to mounting of the safety harness. Any drilled anchor point must be properly reinforced to accept the load which will be applied thereto during a crash.
a a Wrap-around Installation
a a Strap attachment to a weak roll cage can cause the bar to fail and result in serious injury or death. It is recommended that the roll cage manufacturer be contacted to ascertain crossbar strength and the ability thereof to withstand loads from the shoulder straps in the event of an accident.
a a Incorrect attachment of the strap to the adjuster can cause the belt to pull out of the adjuster in the event of an accident. Always follow the manufacturer installation instructions regarding the correct manner in which to run the strap through an adjuster when making use of a wrap-around installation.
a a The adjuster must be positioned as close as possible to the roll cage and the shoulder straps should be threaded through the adjuster with the protruding strap at least 100mm long.
CR64: SAFETY HUBS
64.1
All vehicles in competition, other than genuine streetcars with original engines, must be equipped with a satisfactory means of axle retention. A minimum of 3mm thick steel plate reinforcement for standard bearing retainers is required.
64.2
Whenever possible, approved aftermarket axles or internal safety hubs should be utilised in lieu of standard items.
64.3
In place of internal type safety hubs, a minimum of four hooks per driving wheel must be attached to the backing plate with a minimum of two 6mm high tensile bolts per hook.
64.4
Each hook must be made of 6mm minimum thickness steel plate at least 25mm width firmly mounted to retain the drum, hub and wheel in the event of axle failure. The attention of competitors is drawn to the possibility of handling hazards in the event of an axle shaft breaking while the vehicle is fitted with a locked rear-end.
CR65: SEATING
65.1
The driver's seat in any vehicle in competition must be so constructed, braced and mounted in such a way that it will give full back and shoulder protection to the driver in the event of a vehicle upset, spinout or collision.
65.2
The driver's seat must be supported on the bottom and back by a frame or cross member.
65.3
Plastic kitchen-type and magnesium seats are not permitted, however, properly braced, framed, supported and constructed seats of aluminium or fibreglass (accessory seats) are acceptable.
65.4
Rear seat may be removed if an approved roll cage is present in certain classes.
CR66: SHOCK ABSORBERS
Each car in competition must be equipped with one operative shock absorber for each sprung wheel. Shocks must be either hydraulic or friction type, securely mounted and in good working order. (See class requirements).
CR67: STARTERS
All vehicles must be self-starting, other than those competing in Top Eliminator Cars or Bikes.
CR68: STEERING
68.1
Each vehicle's steering system will be inspected to determine its condition and must be considered safe by the scrutineer. Steering wheel "play" must be at a minimum. Drag link and tie rods must be secured and keyed. All altered or modified steering systems will be closely checked for insecure welds and faulty parts.
68.2
All rod ends must be a minimum 10mm shank diameter and must be installed with flat washers to prevent bearing pull out. Hollow rod ends are prohibited. All tubes into which rod ends are inserted must be drilled for thread engagement inspection.
68.3
The use of female Heimi joints is not permitted except in the installation of rack and pinion steering where a Heimi joint is used to replace the original ball joint and no welding is involved. Any vehicle with rack and pinion steering and a beam or tube axle must have the steering mounted on the axle and incorporate a universal-joint steering shaft. The length of shaft forward of the joint must be equal to and travel through the same arc as the radius rods locating the axle.
68.4
All steering boxes, sectors and shafts must be mounted to the frame or suitable cross member and cannot be mounted in any case to the bellhousing and/or bellhousing adaptor shield.
68.5
On long wheelbase vehicles, a secondary steering shaft stop must be installed to prevent the long steering shaft from injuring the driver in case of frontal impact. A collar or U-joint pinned at cross member or bracket, etc. is acceptable.
CR69: STEERING WHEELS
69.1
A full steering wheel is required with a minimum of 300mm diameter.
69.2
Dragsters, Funny Cars and open-wheel, space frame vehicles designed specifically for Drag Racing may use a twin grip steering wheel having a minimum inside width of 180mm across the grips.
69.3
Commercially available quick-disconnect steering wheels are permitted.
CR70: SUPERCHARGERS
70.1
All vehicles equipped with belt driven superchargers must have a guard fitted to prevent fuel line damage in the event of belt loss. This is not required where steel braided hose is used in conjunction with aircraft quality connections or where lines themselves are shielded.
70.2
All superchargers used in competition must be correctly set up for high performance use incorporating heavy-duty components applicable to Drag Racing requirements
70.3
TYPES:
70.3.1
Roots-type: Maximum size permitted 14-71; 482.6mm maximum rotor case length: 285.75mm maximum case width; 6.35mm minimum case thickness; 6.35mm minimum front plate thickness. 300 minimum rear plate thickness. Maximum rotor cavity diameter is 148.34mm. Rotor helix angle may not exceed that of a standard 71-series GM-type rotor (4° per 25.4mm). Maximum overdrive may not exceed 70%.
70.3.2
Roots-type High Helix: Must adhere to the same maximum case dimensions and maximum rotor cavity diameter as standard Roots. Rotor helix angle may not exceed 6.5° per 25.4mm, (123.5° total over 482.60mm maximum rotor length). Maximum overdrive may not exceed 70%.
70.3.3
Screw-Type: Must meet SF1 Spec 34.1. Maximum case length 406.40mm, maximum case width 406.40mm, minimum case and front plate thickness 6.35mm, minimum rear plate thickness 7.62mm. Manifold pressure release mechanism (in addition to burst panel in supercharger) plus supercharger restraint system is mandatory. Use of screw-type superchargers are restricted to Top Alcohol Funny cars (TAF) and Top Alcohol Dragsters (TAD) only. Under no circumstances may a screw supercharger overdrive exceed the following overdrive limits:
70.3.4
Variable multi-speed supercharger devices are prohibited regardless of the
supercharger type.
70.3.5
Aluminium studs (supercharger to manifold) are mandatory on all superchargers.
70.3.6
Supercharger restraint systems are mandatory
     
CR71: SUPERCHARGER RESTRAINTS
71.1
All belt-driven supercharger devices must have as a minimum, a supercharger restraint system in conjunction with aluminium shear bolts (strip studs) at all mounting points as mandatory to prevent the supercharger from being blown free of the engine.
71.2
All vehicles competing in Top Fuel, Top Fuel Funny Car or Top Fuel Competition Altered must be fitted with a ballistic supercharger protection device meeting SF1 specification 14.2.
CR72: SUSPENSION
72.1
All vehicles must have a full suspension of the type produced by automobile manufacturers, i.e. springs, torsion bars, etc.).
72.2
Rigid-mount front/rear axles are permitted when so indicated by class requirements. Where more than one pair of radius rods are used to locate a front axle, rods must be of the same length.
72.3
Traction bars or other devices used to transmit rear-axle torque to the frame, thus preventing violent rear-spring "wind-up" under acceleration or deceleration, are considered safety equipment and are therefore accepted where class permits. Traction devices, if used, may not be longer in overall length than one-half of the wheelbase of the vehicle on which they are installed. No portion of any traction device may extend lower than the level of the lower edge of the rear rim.
72.4
All rod ends (steel minimum) incorporated into either a "ladder bar" or "four link" suspension system must have a minimum 19mm shank diameter (chrome moly 16mm). Rod ends must thread a distance at least equal to 1.5 times the diameter of the shank into the bars they are inserted. Each bar must be drilled to allow for thread engagement inspection and either a strap or some other means of prevention must be attached at the front of both the "ladder bar" and/or "four link" system to stop them coming into contact with the track if the rod ends fail.