Crossposting at the suggestion of other 1st gen members.

I got a 1985 GS that I think would be perfect for Spec7 or Auto-X. I wanna keep it cheap, so stock classes are key.

As stated in the GCR and everything I've read on the stock class, no chassis stiffening or additional structural support is permitted. (Aside from Autopower bolt in roll cage.)

Problem is, 1st gens develop rust in the wheel wells, right where a suspension bracket (for trailing arms to chassis) is. the bracket traps water and it rusts from the inside out.

My plan to correct this was to weld angle iron on the inside. (Rust is right near the floor at a right angle.) and to weld 1/16th or 1/8th inch steel plate on the outside.

My question is, being that this is near a suspension mounting point, would this be considered chassis stiffening or additional structural support?

Being that this car will have full interior, it'll be hidden by the storage bins. Do they remove the storage bins for tech inspection?

 

Doubtful. Generally speaking, unless somebody in your area is a real ***, the definition of "commercial repair" is pretty wide.

And if anybody thinks that a little angle iron and some plate (albeit on one side) is giving you a gigantic advantage when it comes to chassis stiffness, they're probably so dumb the stewards won't even bother following through with it, and will retain their $25 for an unfounded protest.

 

I'm gonna do it even on both sides. OCD. I have to have stuff like that symmetrical. Plus the rust is on both sides.

 

I still think you'll be OK.

Remember, you're dealing with an organization who's Club Racing Board responds to the request for a true limited prep first gen in Production with "multiple levels of prep is not within the class philosophy".

 

I race a Spec7 in the WDC region. The repair you describe is very common. No one will look twice at it.

 

I ran a FIAT in IT about 15 years ago. If you don't know, FIAT didn't invent rust but they perfected it. The car I started with on my college student budget was so bad that it got lighter every time I slammed the door. A mig welder, some scrap metal shelves and a sawz-all fixed the car up just fine for IT racing. As long as you don't make it look like you are trying to get some advantage nobody will care.


Another rule example just ignored: Just clarified in Fasttrack was the rear hatch in Production classes has to have a seperate frame in original or alternate material on the back of an FC and other cars. This frame must be "original contour".

Mazdaspeed sells a polycarbonate rear hatch for the FC that was originally made for the GTU cars. No seperate frame just one piece.

At the national race at Daytona one of the FC's running had one of these hatches. The car is well prepared by Mandeville and well driven by a nice guy. Tech says,"Well its not really that big a deal to disqualify him". I sort of agree, but the point is you could tell it was illegal from a satelite, no sneeky gray area stuff under the car. If stuff like this gets ignored at a national race don't lose any sleep about fixing rust on an IT car.