Rules for Aluminium tonneau?

[SimonR300]

I've sent in an entry for the June meeting at Gurston Down in my recently acquired R300.  I notice the Blue Book states only soft tonneau covers are permitted.  I spotted a couple of aluminium tonneau covers in photos at the recent Goodwood Sprint I think.

I was hoping to run my car with an aluminium tonneau, as it was run in the Superlight R300 Championship races in its previous life.

I would be grateful for some guidance.

[punch]

Hi Simon,

I have ran ally tonneau last season and this season in class 3  with no problems in L7 Championship, and it has never been  questioned.

Philip

     

[mikecocker]

Simon,

The blue book specifies flexible tonneau, not soft.

In the absence of a definition in the nomenclature section, I'd go with the online dictionary meaning of flexible, i.e. capable of being bent without breaking.

As it's aluminium, I'd say you're good to go.

Mike

[SimonR300]

Thanks Mike, I had the same thought as aluminium is not exactly rigid.  You would think that running the car with the standard race tonneau with the FIA Approved Roll Cage padding should be ok.  Certainly it was original spec for the car.  I need it to comply with Modified Specialist Production and not be pushed into Sports Libre to comply with the Non-Race Nat B licence my sons currently have.

Thanks Philip, good to know you haven't been challenged. 

 

[Tony Smith]

The only reason Philips car has not been challenged (on several items) is that I am waiting for the right moment, for maximum impact!!!!!

Tony

[andy couchman]

A nice rolled edge (say 1% diameter) on the bit that faces the driver will probably keep the scrutineer happy, as the idea of a tonneau acting as a blade in an accident doesn't bear thinking about.

Aluminium is flexible and there is a long history of it being used on race cars (think 50s Jags) so you should be OK. Makes a nice table for picnics too.

Just not so great if you have a passenger...

Andy

[punch]

In deeming to reply to Tony's comments, the next totally legal modification to my car will be named  " the coat tail " so he will have something to hold onto,   

[Tony Smith]

Very good!!

Fighting talk, but still only talk.

Lets see what happens at Curbs next week  

[SimonR300]

Many thanks chaps.  Will look forward to hanging onto your coat tails at the odd event, with my tonneau fitted.

Simon

[Mark Durrant]

Phillip you might struggle to keep up with the highly polished blue SV at Curborough .......

 

 

but only if Dan is at the wheel 

[Dannyboy]

Oi.. I am trying to get an engine built here!

its fighting me though.. 

[Tony Smith]

Keep going Dan, but the offer stands if you don't get it running in time.

[Dannyboy]

I shall have a definite answer by tomorrow.. 

we are currently deep cleaning the head as someone thought it a wonderful idea to glass bead blast the bloody head- with valves etc still in bloody place.. GRrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

botton end thus far appears- ok., evidence of HGF.. however as i’m Replacing everything then i’m Not as concerned. 

I have a garage full of MGF gearbox, VVC parts, heads and general debris from stripping what appears to be the engine cut out of the mgf with most parts left attached. Bottom end is sat outside of the garage on engine stand but now clean.

i shall now have a BBQ before sean and I attack the head with petrol to remove all bloody glass debris.