So, how good does your car need to look before you can race it

[armandodiaz]

I've been off the track for about 3yrs. Since having an "off road event" in Daytona. Ever since the night of the incident, I've been battling myself on weather to fix, sell or part-out the car. Now that I've getting the iche again, I start fixing her back up. Mechanically, its never had a problem, other than getting its alignment out of wack. Cosmetically, is another story..

I side-swiped a tire wall and these were the results....






So, I'm replacing the frt fender and the door I can easily band out. The issue I have is the rear 1/4. I've been able to bang a lot of the dents out, but down by the side marker is almost impossible to get out. I've even tried a huge slide-hammer and it doesn't budge.

So, now the question... How "good" does the car need to look to get back on the track? I would like to do an SCCA class in April, to get my license back. I helped a friend, at an SCCA event, a couple of months ago and did notice how "rough" some of those cars look. Does anyone have any experience with this?

[Pete R]

I don't think there's a rule. How it looks is subjective. As long as the panels are properly fastened and don't pose a hazard to you or other racers you should be okay. Personally I drive a little better when I'm not worried about scuffing up my car. (I don't race SCCA though I have read the rules before,so this is just an opinion)

[John Rogers]

I have seen worse and as long as there is a number plate the car can race again. Look at it this way, hopefully you remember what you did wrong and won't do the same thing again? Too bad you can't go to Garage Los Ponchos as that is only a $800 or so fix....... Remember the real crinkles are NOT in the sheet metal but in your head.

[333pg333]

$800?? Damn, why is everything so cheap in North America and it's neighbours?? That would cost umpteen thousands to repair down here. Labour must be cheap heh...

[mreid]

Eastwood actually makes a tool that spot welds rods onto a damaged panel and a slide hammer with a tip that grabs the rods so you can pull out the dents.

To the question, you're fine as long as it doesn't look like parts are about to fall off.

[armandodiaz]

Thanks everyone, I feel a lot better now. I'm hoping to fix this myself for only a couple of hundred. I bought a set of paint guns and this would be a great opportunity to practice my body and paint skills.

[ZOA NOM]

depends entirely on whether it runs up front or not. Nobody cares what the winner's car looks like. Plus, it makes the driver look better when he can drive a mule past all the thoroughbreds.

[Matt Romanowski]

If you are racing SCCA (as the ITS suggests) there is a rule. From the GCR

9.3.6. APPEARANCE NEAT AND CLEAN, AND SUITABLE FOR
COMPETITION
Specifically, cars that are dirty either externally or in the engine or passenger
compartments, or that show bodywork damage, structural or surface
rust, or that are partially or totally in primer, or that do not bear the prescribed
identification marks shall not be approved for competition.

[RaceProEngineer]

Matt,

In practice, there is not a scrutiner in the country that enforces that to the letter! It is one of those SCCA "catch-alls" that give the tech inspectors additional ammunition if they need it for other violations.

As others have mentioned, if the parts are securely fastened, and everything appears "safe" = good to go.

Ed

[armandodiaz]

My brother, who's been racing for the past 30yrs, advised me that you at least have to "show an effort" that you tried making the car look decent.

[Matt Romanowski]

I had someone I helped get flack for old graphics and a dent in the roof (from a tree fall). The person had no other issues, so it does get enforced.

We also had two Porsches get flack for being in primer at the first race of the year in April.

[armandodiaz]

When I was first approved for my license (with PBOC) I was told flat out... You can't race until you clean up your car. I figure it was because it was PBOC and it was a more "prestine" group of racers. I got pissed off and joined NASA and then SCCA.

[Pete R]

What would be the difference between a matte black or matte gray (that is a popular look right now) and primer? They look pretty much the same. I was thinking about one of those colors but wouldn't want to ger crap for it.

[Matt Romanowski]

Originally Posted by Pete R

What would be the difference between a matte black or matte gray (that is a popular look right now) and primer? They look pretty much the same. I was thinking about one of those colors but wouldn't want to ger crap for it.

Not much, but you're up to discretion of the tech guy.

[Pete R]

Originally Posted by Matt Romanowski

Not much, but you're up to discretion of the tech guy.

yikes..lucky I'm only doing lemons now

[RaceProEngineer]

Originally Posted by Matt Romanowski

I had someone I helped get flack for old graphics and a dent in the roof (from a tree fall). The person had no other issues, so it does get enforced.

We also had two Porsches get flack for being in primer at the first race of the year in April.

So, Matt, are we still discussing SCCA here? There is a significant difference between "getting flack", and not passing annual tech. "Enforced"? Did the driver for whom you were crewing have to remove the roof dent, or did they still let her/him run? Did this roof dent impact the cage? Was the dent in such a position that a rollover coiuld have caused the broken roof to intrude upon the driver?

Did the old graphics you describe relate to an obsolete class? Were they large enough to be read by Timing & Scoring? Was the required signage present (car number, Club Racing decal, class designation) and legible? Were any of the decals loose, or in danger of coming off?

Most importantly, (unfortunate, but true!) did anyone on your driver's crew do anything to piss-off the scruitneers? That is a sure way to "get flack" about virtually any infraction they can find.

We are both in the Northeast Division, and probably race at the same tracks, with the same officials. There are a lot of details that ARE important. A little dirt, and a few bends in the sheetmetal are not.

That having been said (well, actually written), we do our very best to show up with hardware that does not invite ANY negative questions whatsoever.

Ed

[996TWINS]

This is the only view to me that matters from other drivers

[Matt Romanowski]

Yes, SCCA. There was nothing wrong with the car other than being ugly. All the class stickers, etc were up to date. It was just a checkerboard that was missing a few squares. The cage was not impacted.