This just off the wire:

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The position of National Technical/Rules Operations Officer that I created upon taking the position of BMW CCA Club Racing Chair has been terminated as of September 5, 2005. The responsibilities and duties that were reassigned to the Technical/Rules Operations Officer will revert back the BMW CCA Club Racing Chair and BMW CCA Club Racing Operations Officer, positions that were defined prior to my appointment.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Mike Akard for the time, effort and energy that he has put forth the past month in that position. This realignment of the BMW CCA Club Racing National Staff positions should in no way reflect adversely on Mr. Akard's ability or execution of that position.

Nanci Maloney
BMW CCA Club Racing

************************************************** ***

Discuss

I just read that also as it appeared in my inbox! ...seems like Ackard may have gotten some negative reviews or that the process and/or position in general may have recieved some bad rap...either way looks like Nanci has voiced her opinion on the direction of CR as so it would appear...

Ding dong the witch is dead :D couldn't resist.

Ding dong the witch is dead :D couldn't resist.

huh. I wonder why one would be so tickled to see rules enforcement ended?

:rolleyes

Bad move for Club Racing!

Ding dong the witch is dead :D couldn't resist.

Here Here! I think it's rather odd that Akard didn't resign instead of being fired...I wonder if he was offered the opportunity.

Jon, this doesn't mean that we won't have rules enforcement. I think for BMW CR to abandon the concept of enforcement would create a bigger sh*tstorm than there is now.

Here Here! I think it's rather odd that Akard didn't resign instead of being fired...I wonder if he was offered the opportunity.

Jon, this doesn't mean that we won't have rules enforcement. I think for BMW CR to abandon the concept of enforcement would create a bigger sh*tstorm than there is now.


No they didn't abandon it...they just won't have anyone checking or enforcing them?

Step on a few toes and I guess thats it?

No they didn't abandon it...they just won't have anyone checking or enforcing them?

Step on a few toes and I guess thats it?


Exactly - it's a sad day for club racing.

No they didn't abandon it...they just won't have anyone checking or enforcing them?

It doesn't have to be like that...maybe they'll get someone less biased and a little easier to work with. Olsen and Akard started the trend, there'll always be a need for compliance checks. Also I think the culture has changed to where you might see a few protests here and there and that isn't a bad thing.

Jon, this doesn't mean that we won't have rules enforcement. I think for BMW CR to abandon the concept of enforcement would create a bigger sh*tstorm than there is now.

Actually, it seems as if we won't; There was a car at Mid Ohio that had massive cams and illegal pistons. Illegal for BMW Prepared AND for SCCA ITS races it's setup for. It was found and verefied as illegal, and nothing was done. I'm not sure why either. If it was my class I would have protested. It sends the message that BMW CCA CR doesn't take this seriously, so racers won't either....

All of this will cause a surge in disrespecting the rules (cheating).

And now we have not just lost the rules compliance officer, THEY HAVE ELIMINATED THE POSITION.

And now we have not just lost the rules compliance officer, THEY HAVE ELIMINATED THE POSITION.

According to Nanci, the duties will be divied up amongst the officers the way they were before Akard. I expect we'll learn a lot at o'fest which unfortunately you and I likely won't be going to.

I can relate to how everyone feels about Akard......I am concerned now that he has been eliminated. I think what he did was good, he ruffled some feathers (I know he didnt do it the right way) but now I think that everyone who wasn't caught just let out a sigh of relief because they know that they are cool. I think we need someone going around checking cars and enforcing rules without people protesting other peoples cars.

According to Nanci, the duties will be divied up amongst the officers the way they were before Akard. I expect we'll learn a lot at o'fest which unfortunately you and I likely won't be going to.


Krisko - the responsibilities of the rules/compliance officer were taken on by Nanci. There is no "operations officer" - the role doesn't exist. At least not yet. And Nanci was appointed 3 days before she appointed Akard so it's certainly not going back to the way things were - this is most definitely a change.

No they didn't abandon it...they just won't have anyone checking or enforcing them?

Step on a few toes and I guess thats it?


Rick you have been killing me with some of your comments. I consider us friends but do you not remember that you ran your car classed wrong for an entire season :confused and you want to talk about rules enforcement. its not like you all of a sudden realised you were in the wrong class, other racers had to bring it to your attention. I even brought it to your attention when we did the club race schoolat Roebling before you even did a club race and you still ran the car mis-classed for the whole next season. Don't be a hypocrite. Like I said, I consider you a friend so don't take this the wrong but don't cast stones either.

Damion

Damion - I'm curious. Why didn't you protest Rick's car if you knew it was classed wrong?

Didn't feel there was a need too. He was informed that it was mis-classed. he should have handled it himself.

You guys are giving me a headache.

I did run in the wrong class when I was JP that is correct. Not knowing it, which is my mistake. I know it doesn't matter but I did ask the tech stewart to help me class my car. Once I realized I was classed wrong I moved to the proper class. The truth of it is I asked if I was classed wrong they didn't ask me. I was told by the national tech stewart to run what I was in and he would call me on Monday (after the race)to tell me exactly what to run in. (because He to was unsure)This was at Barber last year. If you look back they actually changed the results at Barber and moved me to IP. Which I ran until I did head work to my car and moved to Mod.

I made a mistake the difference is I didn't do it intentionally. If someone was checking cars for rules violations I would have found out alot sooner. That is my point.

Rick you have been killing me with some of your comments. I consider us friends but do you not remember that you ran your car classed wrong for an entire season :confused and you want to talk about rules enforcement. its not like you all of a sudden realised you were in the wrong class, other racers had to bring it to your attention. I even brought it to your attention when we did the club race schoolat Roebling before you even did a club race and you still ran the car mis-classed for the whole next season. Don't be a hypocrite. Like I said, I consider you a friend so don't take this the wrong but don't cast stones either.

Damion

There was a car at Mid Ohio that had massive cams and illegal pistons. Illegal for BMW Prepared AND for SCCA ITS races it's setup for. It was found and verefied as illegal, and nothing was done.

If this is true I'm voting with my wallet...I won't race BMWCCA CR again.

I know it doesn't matter but I did ask the tech stewart to help me class my car. Once I realized I was classed wrong I moved to the proper class. The truth of it is I asked if I was classed wrong they didn't ask me. I was told by the national tech stewart to run what I was in and he would call me on Monday (after the race)to tell me exactly what to run in. (because He to was unsure)

Not trying to offend here, but why is it difficult to class your car? The rulebook is (probably too) short and sweet. Simply read the rulebook and answer yes or no. Now, if you were reading the GCR, then it may be difficult. Hopefully, it was because you were new to CR and possibly purchased an existing, already modified car. Just curious.

For instance, the guy in MO in KP that had replaced his headlights. What a moron. I would assume people like this simply don't care and aren't fast to begin with. Why protest a backmarker...

Scott

Not trying to offend here, but why is it difficult to class your car? The rulebook is (probably too) short and sweet. Simply read the rulebook and answer yes or no. Now, if you were reading the GCR, then it may be difficult. Hopefully, it was because you were new to CR and possibly purchased an existing, already modified car. Just curious.

For instance, the guy in MO in KP that had replaced his headlights. What a moron. I would assume people like this simply don't care and aren't fast to begin with. Why protest a backmarker...

Scott


yes I was new at the time and I misunderstood the rule book. There is some confusion on the s-14 engine upgrades in my opinion.

OK, OK...easy now boys. We don't want no trouble.

I think there are a few more changes in store for Club Racing. Mike Mills is now the new National Competition Steward, and those from the Western Region that have dealt with Mike, should see this as positive.

I expect there to be some realignment of power and responsibilies. I beleive Nanci has already stated that the 2005 rules will stand for 2006. So I think next year should be a good year to straighten things out.

Follow the rules and there won't be ANY problems. Why is that so hard for people to understand. Read the rule book! This is not directed at anyone but everyone.
Cheaters suck!

Just wanted to add one more thing. Damion I ran 1 Race in the wrong class. Roabling Dec 2003 (my first race) not the entire season as you stated.


Rick you have been killing me with some of your comments. I consider us friends but do you not remember that you ran your car classed wrong for an entire season :confused and you want to talk about rules enforcement. its not like you all of a sudden realised you were in the wrong class, other racers had to bring it to your attention. I even brought it to your attention when we did the club race schoolat Roebling before you even did a club race and you still ran the car mis-classed for the whole next season. Don't be a hypocrite. Like I said, I consider you a friend so don't take this the wrong but don't cast stones either.

Damion

Here's an example of how I feel about compliance. Two years ago at NHIS in october, the head tech steward (Fluckey) showed up out of the blue and in the drivers meeting said that every stock and prepared car would be weighed and checked coming off the track after the evening race. Well HOLY COW did everyone rush back to the garages and start working on their cars - putting passenger seats and ballast in, all those things that SHOULD have been done before. They made the scales available prior to the race and no fewer than 30% of the field was underweight. So many people ended up "voluntarily" reclassing themselves that only 4 were actually busted and DQed for underweight after the race. So those folks got DQed and others were stuck in Mod since they were significantly under.

You need the real threat of compliance checks at any time to ensure a level playing field.

-Mike

For instance, the guy in MO in KP that had replaced his headlights. What a moron. I would assume people like this simply don't care and aren't fast to begin with. Why protest a backmarker...

Scott[/QUOTE]


I may be wrong on this one, but I believe it was the case that the headlights were removed but covers were put there in place. Some of the tech people seemed to agree with the driver that eliminating broken glass as an on-track hazard wasn't a bad thing to do as long as there was no performance gain (the covers prevented additional airflow that would've been an unfair advantage). I don't know the whole story though and I also acknowledge that the tech people used their own interpretation rather than the book.

I think it is an issue that will be clarified soon as people with round exposed headlights like e30s seek to eliminate this potential hazard.

I may be wrong on this one, but I believe it was the case that the headlights were removed but covers were put there in place. Some of the tech people seemed to agree with the driver that eliminating broken glass as an on-track hazard wasn't a bad thing to do as long as there was no performance gain (the covers prevented additional airflow that would've been an unfair advantage). I don't know the whole story though and I also acknowledge that the tech people used their own interpretation rather than the book..

So the car had fibreglass blanks instead of headlights? If they weren't ducted blanks I don't see a problem with that. Again, possibly not legal but logical since we don't need glass from a broken light all over the track.

I agree with Mike, scales should be available before a race and the top 3 in class (or more if time allows) should be automatically weighed after a race SCCA style.

So the car had fibreglass blanks instead of headlights? If they weren't ducted blanks I don't see a problem with that. Again, possibly not legal but logical since we don't need glass from a broken light all over the track.


Yeah, in this case, logic seemed to prevail. On e30s with the glass headlights, kicked up debris could potentially break the lense (if not taped up) and be sitting at the top of Madness at M-O or in the Esses at VIR or some other great place to bust your ass...

Again, possibly not legal but logical since we don't need glass from a broken light all over the track.

There's no possible about it...they aren't legal, period. It's stated very clearly in the rules that they aren't legal to be removed for ducting in Prepared:
7. Body/Chassis/Interior
A. Openings in the front air dam/spoiler/bumper cover to provide for ducting to additional coolers (oil, transmission, and differential) and are permitted. Headlight removal for ducting is not permitted.

At no point in the Prepared rules does it say you CAN remove them, so, you can't. Further in the Mod class rules, it's stated very clearly that they can be replaced, which should serve as an even greater indication that it simply isn't legal to remove headlights in Prepared:
9. Body, Chassis, Interior and Windows
C. Cutting of non-stock openings and removal of headlights is allowed.

If broken glass is a worry, a little racers tape will take care of that. In fact, I'm surprised that we don't require glass lights to be taped like SCCA, and most every other sanctioning body that I've heard of, does.

There's no possible about it...they aren't legal, period. It's stated very clearly in the rules that they aren't legal to be removed for ducting in Prepared:

I'm assuming that there was no ducting, just solid fiberglass panels. Regardless they are illegal. I think the prudent course of action would be to notate it in the logbook and mandate that it gets fixed before the next race. For a tech to just let it go is wrong but I think moving the car to mod or a DQ is a little extreme.

7. Body/Chassis/Interior
A. Openings in the front air dam/spoiler/bumper cover to provide for ducting to additional coolers (oil, transmission, and differential) and are permitted. Headlight removal for ducting is not permitted.

Wait, so if there is no ducting, is it legal to remove headlights in prepared (as the car in question did)?

There's no possible about it...they aren't legal, period. It's stated very clearly in the rules that they aren't legal to be removed for ducting in Prepared:


At no point in the Prepared rules does it say you CAN remove them, so, you can't. Further in the Mod class rules, it's stated very clearly that they can be replaced, which should serve as an even greater indication that it simply isn't legal to remove headlights in Prepared:


If broken glass is a worry, a little racers tape will take care of that. In fact, I'm surprised that we don't require glass lights to be taped like SCCA, and most every other sanctioning body that I've heard of, does.





We're trying to figure out what was going on, not whether it was right or not. We know what the rules say and they should be enforced. I chimed in b/c someone was calling the KP a "moron". Perhaps it would be moronic if the headlights were removed for the clear performance advantage. In this case, it wasn't, and the tech people seem to have different opinions as to whether or not they want to hang someone over it.

If someone wants to throw around "moron" and I know the case to be different, I can pass along more info as I please...

All I'm saying is this is a topic on which there will likely be some clarification request forthcoming.

So if there is no ducting, is it legal to remove headlights in prepared (as the car in question did)?[/QUOTE]


At this point the answer would be No. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see an answer to a clarification request saying either a) lights must be taped or b) blanks may be inserted. Or not, I don't know and don't really care...

=
If broken glass is a worry, a little racers tape will take care of that. In fact, I'm surprised that we don't require glass lights to be taped like SCCA, and most every other sanctioning body that I've heard of, does.

... or like a lot of BMWCCA Driving Schools....

personally if someone in stock/prepared uses headlight blanks it is understandable and they likely are using it as an alternative to glass for safety or whatever (true you can use factory headlights with tape but then you may have to keep replacing broken taped up factory headlights instead of putting a blank there and forgetting), and there is no ducting there so it seems fine as a non power advantage. I don't understand why the rules or those who wrote the rules wouldn't allow for this?

...I know the covers or blanks are not legal, and for E36 cars the housings are plastic anyhow so it doesn't really matter, the above is more so stated for the e30 or other guys with glass exposed lights...

personally if someone in stock/prepared uses headlight blanks it is understandable and they likely are using it as an alternative to glass for safety or whatever (true you can use factory headlights with tape but then you may have to keep replacing broken taped up factory headlights instead of putting a blank there and forgetting)

There are all sorts of things that break on race cars that you aren't allowed to replace under various sets of rules.

I don't understand why the rules or those who wrote the rules wouldn't allow for this?

Because it's another pointless cost and modification that further blurs the lines between classes. And because the Prepared class rules were originally modeled around SCCA IT where headlights are required. Heck, you aren't allowed to remove headlights in World Challenge Touring either. Use a little "helicopter" tape and you'll likely never have a broken headlight anyway since it absorbs a lot of impact. How much of a problem has broken headlights been in club racing? How many cut tires have we had because of a broken headlight?

personally if someone in stock/prepared uses headlight blanks it is understandable and they likely are using it as an alternative to glass for safety or whatever (true you can use factory headlights with tape but then you may have to keep replacing broken taped up factory headlights instead of putting a blank there and forgetting), and there is no ducting there so it seems fine as a non power advantage. I don't understand why the rules or those who wrote the rules wouldn't allow for this?

I agree that it sounds logical, but then again, the same could be said for lexan and windshields. Technically, you are removing weight up high and will replacing with weight down low.

In my last 5 years of racing, I have yet to break a headlights and not until the last race at Road Atlanta, did I crack a windshield. Yes, my windshield is pitted very badly to the point where I think it is dirty even though I just cleaned it. Jimmy Baker was kind enough drop about 3 gallons of pebbles from the trap when he reentered after his bailout move at the end of the long straight! :) Windshields are cheap, less than $200 I beleive. I plan to install one just to be able to see.

If someone is truly concerned about replacing broken headlights, simply install a protective product such as Xpel for under $50. Boom, no more broken headlights and they still work for endurance racing.

[QUOTE=SRiley]

In my last 5 years of racing, I have yet to break a headlights and not until the last race at Road Atlanta, did I crack a windshield.

You've been lucky :)

Windshields are cheap, less than $200 I beleive. I plan to install one just to be able to see.


$274 last time around...


I've been thru a few in the last 2 years although I must admit that 1 of them happened on the way to the track in my enclosed trailer :embarrasm

For instance, the guy in MO in KP that had replaced his headlights. What a moron. I would assume people like this simply don't care and aren't fast to begin with. Why protest a backmarker...

Scott


I may be wrong on this one, but I believe it was the case that the headlights were removed but covers were put there in place. Some of the tech people seemed to agree with the driver that eliminating broken glass as an on-track hazard wasn't a bad thing to do as long as there was no performance gain (the covers prevented additional airflow that would've been an unfair advantage). I don't know the whole story though and I also acknowledge that the tech people used their own interpretation rather than the book.



Actully the KP car that DQ'd did not have blanks in the High beams. It was open and the K&N filter was right behind it sucking up all the free unrestricted air

Actully the KP car that DQ'd did not have blanks in the High beams. It was open and the K&N filter was right behind it sucking up all the free unrestricted air

Moron... :)

Actully the KP car that DQ'd did not have blanks in the High beams. It was open and the K&N filter was right behind it sucking up all the free unrestricted air



then I guess there were 2. I overheard some of the steward/racer conversation about the one with the covers.

The other guy may indeed be a moron :)...but not sure who it was. Wait, Akard was in an e30....doh, not KP :devillook

Headache as well

CM Backmarker :cool

Jimmy Baker was kind enough drop about 3 gallons of pebbles from the trap when he reentered after his bailout move at the end of the long straight!

Someone else lost a windshield too from the pebbles. I lost my windshield at RA when my hood pins failed. I'm on my third winshield in 1 year.

I have had a broken headlight racing. The racers tape over the headlights kept everything in place, despite the rather large hole in the headlight (the busted pieces stayed stuck to the tape).

I've no dog in this hunt, but just presenting a first-hand data point.

The other guy may indeed be a moron :)...but not sure who it was.

It was Jet H.

For those not on the CR list, here is the latest email from Nanci Maloney.

I would like to take this opportunity to clarify my position on
compliance issues. Rules compliance and enforcement will continue to
be a high priority in the BMW CCA Club Racing program. Racers can
expect compliance checks such as weighing cars, physical examination
of safety equipment, and visual inspections for rules compliance at
all events. Club Racing has acquired test equipment to check
compliance of internal components of cars. When our staff is trained
on this equipment so that test results are accurate, reliable, and
meaningful, this will become an integral component of our compliance
inspection program. It is my intent that BMW CCA Club Racing will
move forward with a clear and comprehensive compliance inspection
program that will support rules enforcement and help ensure a level
playing field for all racers.


Respectfully,

Nanci Maloney
BMW CCA Club Racing Chair

I like this direction...use test equipment to verify engines are classed properly instead of frikkin' teardowns. I like the part she said about the training too...if people know what they are doing it'll take less time and results will be more meaningul. Besides, I would imagine the vast majority of cheating is undeweight cars. I think this email should allay the fears that BMW CR will go back to no compliance checks.

The equipment at MidOhio DID work. The compression figure (according to the equipment website) depends upon an accurate displacement figure. If you use stock displacement and there is any discrepancy in the displacement that understates actual displacement (overboring, headwork, etc), the calculated figure will be incorrect. BTW, the engine temp at the time of measurement also affects the outcome. The machine is more accurate when the engine is cold.

However, if ALL of the calculated data is in a pretty tight range, then anybody well outside that range should be suspect ... a "rogue" data point should be examined further.

In one notable case, the engine was hot, the racer admitted that the engine was an overbore engine and the calculated number was still almost a full point higher than the other cars in the same class.

It's statistically accurate to flag the datapoint that's outside the distribution pattern. Does that mean the engine is illegal with too much compression? MAYBE, maybe NOT. But it bears further investigation.

dp

The equipment at MidOhio DID work. The compression figure (according to the equipment website) depends upon an accurate displacement figure. If you use stock displacement and there is any discrepancy in the displacement that understates actual displacement (overboring, headwork, etc), the calculated figure will be incorrect. BTW, the engine temp at the time of measurement also affects the outcome. The machine is more accurate when the engine is cold.

However, if ALL of the calculated data is in a pretty tight range, then anybody well outside that range should be suspect ... a "rogue" data point should be examined further.

In one notable case, the engine was hot, the racer admitted that the engine was an overbore engine and the calculated number was still almost a full point higher than the other cars in the same class.

It's statistically accurate to flag the datapoint that's outside the distribution pattern. Does that mean the engine is illegal with too much compression? MAYBE, maybe NOT. But it bears further investigation. Nanci expressly refused to allow a second check when the engine had cooled.

Make NO mistake ... this is only ONE instance of a repeated pattern that shows that Nanci does NOT intend to forcefully enforce the rules. That doesn't address the issues of improper rules clarifications being issued by Clement.

This program is headed to run what you brung, IMHO.



Steve Olsen:

Whether the equipment worked properly or not, it seemed that those present didn't really know how to use it well enough to definitively make conclusions based on data thereby produced. In my opinion, the only value the data could have provided would be the relative data you mention.

Hot or cold, I believe all of us in IP were below stock compression according to the whistler.

As far as your comments about Nanci...You coming on a public forum and saying that she we cannot rely on her leadership to foster compliance in club racing is bullshit. She reiterated today that she intends to keep compliance a high priority regardless of the departure of Akard.

Overall, I can't believe that you would absolutely undermine your successor and friend (I thought), Nanci, by first keeping your nose in the Mid-Ohio proceedings thru your boy Akard, et al. Once you left, I would expect you would defer to Nanci out of respect for the person and the position. Instead, you had to be in the middle of it where it was clearly inappropriate.

For you to now come on this forum and disrespect and again undermine Nanci is in bad taste. While I appreciate much of what you accomplished in your tenure (Grand-Am support relationship, etc.), this political BS on your part makes me glad we have new leadership.

...and about who was calling Akard a dick...that was ME, maybe or maybe not Krisko, I'm not sure.

Do us all a favor and show Nanci some respect by staying out of it.

Marc McConnell
IP 469