Asshats in San Diego PCA

[Joe Bob]

This has to do with Porsche Club of America autocrosses AND has some interesting issues for 911, 930, 914s etc....

So my Momz needs help to take her to have cataract surgery and I decide to combine the drive to Deepest Orange County with a side trip to San Diego. Hey, what can happen? It's only 70-80 minutes south, right?

1) Weeeellll, San Diego PCA thinks they are something special...because I haven't taken the drive down there recently, they decided to give away my race number...OK. Four-six hour drives is one reason (traffic has gotten even worse of late)...HEAVY Police enforcement on the 5 Highway, the border check in San Clemente...etc, etc...

Where does it say in the rules that if I don't come into your house that I lose a ZONE #? Well it dosen't...but I had to appeal to the Zone 8 rep....but I got it back

2) They are now kicking loose people that don't have modern seatbelts, even in stock classes....so if you have an older 911, 930 or 914 or even one of them wasserpumpers and it has oem seatbelts...you DON'T RUN....so, caution to you CWs out there that AX as well...

When we got there, Ingo commented that it looked like a new car parking lot...now I know why, they are kicking loose on all the old car's and their "safety equipment"...I think it's a way to reduce the crowds and please the old yuppies with their new rides who want a quick yuck....

I had to send FIVE emails about the subject. They SAY it's a Zone rule and their hands are tied. I have a meeting with the SBA region on the 13th and I will bring the matter up to see if our section of Zone 8 will enforce it as well...since I have an AX to run in August for SBA, it would be nice AHEAD of time to know the rules...

Anyways, my 58A came from the factory without seatbelts. I sent them a link to the manufacturer and a pic....I also posted on their chickenschit BBS....(BEWARE the webmaster is a born again, bible thumper and has no sense of humor) and couldn't get a straight answer...

Well, since I sold the A after asking the question and prior to the AX, it was moot point....so, I ordered a replacement seat belt for my SC from www.PEParts.com and it arrived Friday...not oem won't fit and I'm not gonna drill a hole in my fenderwell to mount the take up reel...crap....so don't get anything from PEP if you want stock...BTW, they don't supply mounting hardware or washers, nuts or bolts...EITHER....

3) I email the AX chair....can I bring my NARP Replica with four point NEW Recaro restraints that have a single take up restraint reel....no problem... you will run in "X" class.

4) I get down there with Ingo, just fer fun, let's ee if he can get thru tech...sure enuff, they kick him out for having stock oem seat belts. Not frayed but in perfect shape...still no good.

5) Next, They all gather around BAD TUB....oh you can't run, that's a NARP...bbbzzzzt, I emailed Trotter the AX chair, he said I could....OK...

6) You can't run, that four point harness has a SINGLE take up reel....but a 356 only came with lap belts...OK you can run....

7) You can't run that has VW wheels....that's because it's a VW, dumbschit....VW transaxle, VW front end, VW engine, no adapters, no spacers....just like a 914, BTW the wheels are aftermarket, VW doesn't make 8 and 9 inch wide wheels....ummmm OK you can run...

8) You can't run, the take up reel (that you don't need) doesn't have a 2 inch washer under the base mount....ummmm, OK...we already said OK on that....never mind.

9) You can't run you aren't pre-registered....here's my faxed and confirmed copy with the 2/10/08 run date....Ohh, you registered TOO EARLY...we only accept them after the LAST AX...OK, we charged your credit card? OK, you can run....this time....

10) You can't run it has an altered and shortened VW pan...no again dipschit, it has a tube frame, it's registered as a 2006 Custom Speedster....

11) You can't run, you don't have a back up washer under the LAP belt mount point....(we got ya this time)....nope...the washer is impregnated in the Fiberglass and mounts just like they do Corvette's....

After all this I finally said FUCH IT....I started packing it up. The wanker started waxing philosophical about modifying Porsche and VW equipment for "Racing".....I commented that "Autocross wasn't racing, it's like masturbation....not the real thing....but fun once in awhile" (TANKYEW SLITS!!!)....

Anyways, da wanker was so into his schpiel that he didn't hear that...his next gem was that the rules didn't for ANY allow adapters or spacers...what about the 930 Turbo dipwad? Then he wanked on about redrilled rotors for stud conversion and redrilled hubs...uuummmm, what 914/6 conversion HASN'T got re-drilled hubs on a 901 trans....

Get me outta here....

I thanked Sean Molloy and a few others that came over to say hi and got on the Highway....I got in a speed run with a brand 911 on the 5 around Camp Pendleton....ran it up to 120 (can you say surprised ass dragger?) and backed off when I was at his door and when my Radar detector suddenly went red....

I'm now at Momz house....she goes to the Hospital tomorrow at O'Dark Thirty....I'm starting to cool down.

Conclusion? I have NEVER seen a more screwed up event in my life. Everybody was wanking, no one can make a goddamned decision or keep to it.....the event is flat out TOO big and needs a professional organizer. The volunteers, while they try, simply aren't up to it. The current AX chair can't find hisasswithboth hands...their webmaster needs to leave his bible on the night stand.....I could go on....

I'm going to take the issue up with Zone 8 representatives....I'll report back.

[trekkor]

Sounds like a real drag.
Sorry about all that.

You had more patience than would have.

Stock belts, no good huh?

That goes directly against the new PCA nationa DE/TT rules regarding seats/race seats and belts.
What kind of belts did they want/require for a/x?



KT

[k9handler]

Sounds much like all my dealings with PCA...SCCA treats us better!

[HarryD]

Mike,

I took a look at the San Deigo rules. The rules for seat belts seems to apply only to Time Trials and DE's not AX. This is consistent with the National DE/TT Policy where if you opt use an aftermarket race seat, you must use a 5 or 6 point harness. Use of 4 point harnesses are verbotten and no harness is ok with a stock factory seat.

Sounds like you ran into a guy that cannot tell the difference between AX and DE and TT. Next time, ask him to "educate you" and SHOW you the rule so you know what is expected since when you read it, it appeared to not apply. Specific sections (http://zone8.pca.org/rules/2008/Z8Rules2008.pdf) include:

"XIII A. For Time Trial and DE, five or six-point harnesses are required for all drivers
and passengers running in any Prepared class or higher and are strongly
recommended for all entrants.

Harnesses are required to be SFI or FIA"

and Section VXII "XVII RULE VARIATIONS FOR AUTOCROSS EVENTS
A. The following Rules Sections have exceptions or variances for Autocross
events:
1. Section I.B - participant qualifications
2. Section I.D - size of the car numbers
3. Section X.E - timed lap requirements
4. Section XII.A - medical response requirements
5. Section XII.D.1 - flag requirements at corner worker stations
6. Section XIII.A - seat belt requirements for entrants
7. Section XIII.B - helmets, face shields or protective goggles
8. Section XIII.C - entrant clothing requirements
9. Section XIII.D - roll bar requirements
10. Section XIII.J - fire extinguisher requirements
11. Section XIII.N - arm restraints
12. Section XIII.O - sunroof, convertible and removable or Targa
tops, arm restraints
13. Section XIII.P - brake lights
14. Section XV - flag usage
15. Section XVI.G - car grouping
16. Section XVI.H - passing rules
B. In most of the above exceptions or variations, there is a recommendation
that the Time Trial/DE requirement be followed."

so they RECOMMEND not REQUIRE you follow the TT/DE Rules. A recommendation means you follow if you desire but no harm/no foul if you choose not to.

BOTTOM LINE

If they meant for section XIII to aplly to Autocross, they would have said so in that section. After all they made sure it was clear that TT and DE was covered.

This is rules reading 101.

[Joe Bob]

Trekkor....

Anything that has a dated tag. Since old belts don't have tags....they get dumped. They were also looking at the shape of the male latch. Square ends=good....

If I order a new oem unit from Porsche...special order non-returnable BTW....I don't know if it's going to be acceptable because even the scrutineers at the AX could agree....I must have talked to or had five or more people give an opinion.

I get the impression that I need to show up in a new Boxster to get through tech.

I can see the point in any class above stock or maybe prepared....but gimme a break....

[trekkor]

If it was safe enough to get you to the a/x on the highway ( legally ).
Why wouldn't it be safe for a/x?

A/X's are supposed to be below freeway speed with no objects to hit other than cones?!?

The most likely scenario for an injury is a spacey course worker getting nailed.


KT

[trekkor]

Then on the DE/TT thingy,
Stock seat/stock belts: OK
Stock seat/comp belts: not OK
Race seat/stock belt: not OK

I really do not understand this at all.
How are comp belts not safer in every situation?

This leads to the question: Why don't passenger cars have comp style belts as OEM equip?


KT

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by trekkor

Then on the DE/TT thingy,
Stock seat/stock belts: OK
Stock seat/comp belts: not OK
Race seat/stock belt: not OK

I really do not understand this at all.
How are comp belts not safer in every situation?

This leads to the question: Why don't passenger cars have comp style belts as OEM equip?


KT

Why Stock seat/comp belts: not OK?

It has to do with how the stock high back seats do not keep the shoulder harnesses in the correct place during a collision. As a result, they slip off of your shoulders (you body deforms) and no longer hold you in place.

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by trekkor

If it was safe enough to get you to the a/x on the highway ( legally ).
Why wouldn't it be safe for a/x?

A/X's are supposed to be below freeway speed with no objects to hit other than cones?!?KT

Bingo! What we appear to have is an inspector on a power trip and an inability to read the rules.

[trekkor]

Originally Posted by HarryD

Why Stock seat/comp belts: not OK?

It has to do with how the stock high back seats do not keep the shoulder harnesses in the correct place during a collision. As a result, they slip off of your shoulders (you body deforms) and no longer hold you in place.

I understand the theory.
On a 914, however, with the belts properly installed, I think there needs to be an exception.
I don't see how the belts can slip off, as they are mounted behind the seat, below the shoulders and to the firewall.

Also, this explanation is not comforting considering that the allowed belt is a 3 point that could be as much as 38 years old!


Here's some shots of mine that are now PCA illegal:







I use these thin cushions for track and a/x use so the sub belt can slip through the hole in the seat.



I modified the stock seat into a race style seat with fiberglass resin and cloth. It's very strong and has holes for the lap belts.

Before cloth covering:




KT

[trekkor]

Now it has a full roll-cage:




Mike, show us pictures of what got you ding-donged.


KT

[azasadny]

mikez,
I'm sorry you had all of those hassles. I'm praying for your mom, hope she's OK.

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by azasadny

mikez,
I'm sorry you had all of those hassles. I'm praying for your mom, hope she's OK.

Why thank you very much. That was very nice.

Here are some pics of BAD TUB in race trim....all dressed up...and they cancelled my close up....

[Hugh R]

Mike

How do you get a yellow customized license plate in CA?

[Joe Bob]

It's a secret.....email me.

[the]

Order a personalized plate from the Cal DMV, then order the old style plate from here: http://www.licenseplates.tv/ in the same configuration.

[berettafan]

Seems like a lot of grief to drive around a parking lot at 40mph.

Can you ask for a list, in writing, of what exactly needs to be changed on your car? Then you could forward the list to PCA HQ and ask for it to be reviewed.

[Scuba Steve]

Originally Posted by mikez

(BEWARE the webmaster is a born again, bible thumper and has no sense of humor)

Sounds like a real hassle... don't know what the guy's religion has to do with anything though.

Cool BAD TUB plate, btw!

[Joe Bob]

Because he has NO tolerance with anyone discussing any thing besides Porsches or smacking of any sense of humor. To me....that's bunk. It's like being a hot rodder in a middle of Concour weenies....there's friction.

A webmaster.moderator needs to be neutral and not impose his/her sense of values into a situation.

As to the plate...thanks...

BTW, Momz made it thru surgery. I'm trying to fix her DSL issues now. AT&T says everything is fine...of course the intermittent connectivity is NOT their fault at all....

[trekkor]

Good news about the operation.


KT