General Rules

The following items are taken from section C(b) of the 2008 Blue Book. Starting from page 142.

The section relates to the basic preparation required to take part in Motorsport in this country. The relevant sections in H for Road Rallying and Special Stage Rallying are listed separately under there own headings.

Technical
The following technical regulations are mandatory and
apply to vehicles in all forms of competition (other than
karting). In addition vehicles must comply with the
appropriate Specific Technical Regulations. Where
there are several regulations concerning any particular
subject it shall be taken, as a general principle, that
one does not override another unless specifically
stated.
General
7. As a general principle in all Technical Regulations, it
is prohibited to carry out any tuning or modification that
is not specifically permitted. The fact that some
modifications are mentioned as prohibited does not
imply that others are allowed.
All vehicles must:
8. Chassis/Body (including aerodynamics)
(a) Be fitted with bodywork including a driver (and
passenger) compartment isolated from the engine,
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wet batteries, gearbox, hydraulic reservoirs,
transmission shafts, chains, belts and gears, brakes,
road wheels, their operating linkages and
attachments, petrol/fuel tanks, oil tanks, water header
tanks and catch tanks fuel system components.
Excepting for cars of Periods A-E exposed
transmission shafts, gears and chains to be guarded
such as to prevent their being a hazard.
(b) Where a radiator is not isolated from the driver/
passenger compartment a suitable deflector to be
fitted to prevent fluid directly coming into contact with
the vehicle’s occupants.
(c) With the exception of cars of Periods A to D,
which in period specification were not equipped with
a bonnet or casing of metal or solid flame resistant
material covering and surrounding the main engine
structure, have a protective bulkhead of nonflameable
material between the engine and the
driver/passenger compartment capable of preventing
the passage of fluid or flame. Gaps must be sealed
with GRP or with putty that completely closes any
gap at all times.
(d) Magnesium is prohibited for bulkheads.
(e) Have a complete floor of adequate strength rigidly
supported within the driver/passenger compartment.
(f) Not have the space normally occupied by
passengers encroached upon, but may have the
passenger seats removed.
(g) With the exception of cars of periods A to D have
bodywork providing a minimum transverse cockpit
opening width of 81cm. This width may not be
interrupted.
(h) With the exception of racing cars or cars of
periods A to D be equipped on all wheels with
mudguards which present no sharp edges and cover
the complete wheel (flange+rim+tyre) around an arc
of 120 degrees. This minimum coverage must:
(i) be achieved with a continuous surface of rigid
material uninterrupted by any gaps, holes, slots or
vents.
(ii) extend forward ahead of the axle line.
(iii) extend downward behind the wheel to not more
than 7.5cm. above the axle line.
(i) Aerofoils or spoilers may only be fitted to single
seat racing cars (unless prohibited by an Approved
Formula), or where specifically permitted, where FIA
homologated, or where complying with National type
approval.
(j) If originally fitted with driver/passenger doors,
hatchback doors, sliding doors, opening boots or
tailgates, these must be secured in the closed
position during events.
(k) Have effective means of ventilating closed cars.
(l) Tinted glass in any window which can significantly
affect through vision (in or out) or distort the colours
of signal flags or lights, is prohibited.
(m) With the exception of Cross Country Vehicles,
Racing Trucks and Karts, in all vehicles with the driver
seated normally, the soles of his/her feet, resting on
the pedals in the inoperative position, shall not be
situated to the fore of the vertical plane passing
through the centre line of the front wheels. Not
applicable to vehicles constructed prior to 1.1.99 or
for those vehicle designs which have participated in
an MSA Permitted Championship prior to 1.1.99.
9. Seating
• Have a normal adequate seat for the driver.
• The seat must be rigidly located within the
compartment and must not tilt, hinge or fold unless it
is a production seat fitted with a serviceable locking
mechanism preventing independent operation.
• It must support and retain the driver within the
vehicle.
• The seat cushion (i.e. the part on which the
occupant sits) when uncompressed, must not be less
than 15.25cm below the top edge of the adjacent
body side or door.
• Any other seats fitted must similarly comply and all
seats must face forward.
• Cars of periods A to D are exempt from this
requirement.
• If a single seater, the maximum time for a driver to get
in or out of the vehicle should not exceed 5 seconds.
10. Engines
• If forced induction is used, the coefficient will be
1.7:1 unless stated otherwise in Specific Technical
Regulations or SRs.
• Be equipped with a positive method of throttle
closing by means of external spring/springs so that in
the event of failure of any part of the throttle linkage
the throttle(s) are sprung closed.
• Vehicles fitted with electronic throttle control as
standard original manufacturer’s equipment for that
vehicle are exempt from this requirement.
11. Suspension
• Be fitted with sprung suspension between the
wheels and the chassis.
• Suspension must be controlled to avoid fouling of
wheels on chassis or bodywork.
• Cars of periods A and B need not have sprung
suspension, if originally built without it.
12. Brakes
• Be fitted with brakes that are operative and capable
of stopping the vehicle as required.
• Carbon disc brakes are prohibited unless
specifically authorised by the MSA for a class or
category of car.
13. Steering
• Have a steering wheel with a continuous rim not
incorporating any reflex angles in its basic shape
(except for Drag Race vehicles). Wheels with flat rim
segments i.e. ‘D’ shape wheels are permitted.
• Specifically not permitted are wheels having a
non-continuous rim shape similar to that shown in the
Drawing 13.
• Cars of periods A and B may have a tiller or
alternative to a steering wheel if it formed part of the
original vehicle.
• Have steering movement controlled to avoid fouling
of wheels on chassis or bodywork.
• Rear wheel or four wheel steering is prohibited
unless fitted on a Production vehicle by the
manufacturer, or permitted under the Specific
Technical Regulations, or SRs.
14. Wheels
• Have not less than four road wheels and tyres
(excluding the spare).
• Not be fitted with any wheel spacer exceeding
2.5cm in thickness or of less than hub diameter.
Multiple or Laminated Spacers and extended studs
are prohibited.
• Have all hub nave plates and wheel embellishers
removed.
15. Tyres
• Have tyres complying with Specific Technical
Regulations and/or Construction and Use
Regulations (if Standard Road Tyres), for the duration
of the event.
• Tyres, if treaded, must have not less than 1.6mm of
tread remaining at the start of an event. Formula Ford
1600 1mm.
• Where freedom of choice of tyres is left to the
Competitor, the responsibility rests with each
Competitor to ensure that the tyres to be used are of
adequate rating having regard to the potential speed
of their vehicle and the nature of the event.
• The fitment and/or use of pressure control valves
to wheels and/or tyres is not permitted.
• Unless permitted under sporting regulations the
use of chemical tyre softeners is not permitted.
16. Cooling
• Have any fluid carrying lines or tubes carrying
coolants through the driver/passenger compartment
painted red, and if non-metallic to be internally
or externally metal braided hydraulic pressure
hose.
• Screwed hose clips (e.g. ‘Jubilee Clips’) may only
be used in conjunction with a suitably swaged pipe.
17. Transmission
• Have the transmission outside the driver/passenger
compartment, beneath the floor or secured in
casings or coverings of solid material.
• Be equipped with a reverse gear in normal working
order unless otherwise stated in Specific Technical
Regulations. Racing Cars of periods A to E are
exempt from this requirement.
18. Oil Systems
• Have any oil lines passing through the
driver/passenger compartment protected and, if nonmetallic,
to be of internally or externally metal braided
hydraulic pressure hose.
19. Fuel Systems
• Have any fuel lines passing through the
driver/passenger compartment protected and, if nonmetallic,
to be internally or externally metal braided
hydraulic pressure hose or fuel lines complying with
FIA specifications.
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• They may only be joined by screwed sealing joints
or vehicle manufacturers approved joint.
• If fitted with fuel fillers in a closed boot, or under
closure, have collector/spill trays incorporated to
drain outside the vehicle.
• Use pump fuel (see definition The Terminology)
except, subject to prior written authority having been
given by the MSA, where permitted otherwise under
SRs, Formula Rules, and/or Championship
Regulations.
• If using LPG, the entire system must conform with
Construction and Use regulations and LPG Industry
Technical Association Code of Practice No. 11.
• If using non-pump fuel have a 3 inch diameter ‘Day-
Glo’ orange disc affixed immediately adjacent to the
Competition Numbers on both sides.
20. Electrical Systems
• Have any wet batteries in driver/passenger
compartment enclosed in a securely located leakproof
container.
• Have batteries duly protected to exclude leakage of
acid and to protect terminals from short circuiting
and producing sparks.
• With the exception of racing cars be equipped with
battery, generator, self-starter, side, tail, and brake
lights. All this equipment to be in normal working
order. Exceptionally when taking part in an event held
totally off the public highway, need not comply with
DoT Statutory Requirements regarding lighting or
horn.
• With the exception of racing cars, or cars of
periods A to C, have headlights in normal working
order with glasses of minimum 182.5sq.cm unless
SRs permit their removal.
• Have the battery earth lead, if not readily
distinguishable, identified by a yellow marking.
• If required to have a self-starter, be able to
demonstrate during the competition that it is capable
of starting the engine.
• Be fitted with suppressors as required by the
Wireless Telegraphy Regulations.
21. Weight/Ballast
• If subject to a minimum weight, that must be the
weight of the vehicle in the condition in which it
crosses the finishing line (excluding driver and
passenger), or at any time during the competition
and/or practice (except for certain classes or
formulae which include the driver in the total weight).
• Any ballast required must be attached to the
shell/chassis via at least 4 mounting points using
bolts with a minimum diameter of 8mm each with
steel counter plates of at least 400sq.mm surface
area and 3mm thickness.
• Provision must be made for the fixation of seals by
scrutineers if deemed necessary.
• Where ballast is fitted to touring, sports, sports
racing or GT cars it shall be fitted in the passenger’s
location.
• Single seat racing cars are exempt from the above
• mounting requirements.
22. Exhausts
• Have the exhaust system isolated from the
driver/passenger compartment (e.g. beneath the floor
or secured in casings of solid material).
• Have no part of the exhaust system protruding to
the rear of the bodywork more than 15cm.
• If Racing Car with rear aerodynamic device, not
have any exhaust pipes extending rearwards beyond
the aerofoil.
• If Racing Car without aerodynamic device, not have
exhaust pipes extending more than 60cm beyond the
rear wheel axis.
• If Rear Engined Single Seater Racing Car, have the
exhaust outlet between 4cm and 60cm from the
ground.
• Have all exhaust outlets terminating behind the
mid-point of the wheelbase of the vehicle and within
150mm of the outside the bodywork periphery in plan
view. Side exhausts not to protrude more than 4cm.
For vehicles other than racing cars that are not fitted
with enveloping bodywork any side exhaust may not
extend beyond the plane through the outside of the
front and rear tyres with the front wheels in the
straight ahead position. Cars of periods A to E and
Drag race vehicle are exempt from these
requirements.
23. Silencing
The reason for Silencing (SOUND CONTROL) is to
reduce environmental impact and to keep Motor Sport
running. Environmental Protection legislation has
increased the pressure on activities generating noise
and Local Authorities have the power to suppress any
noise source deemed to be causing a nuisance. Our
system of control is acceptable to most Environmental
Bodies and must be considered as part of eligibility to
Compete in events.
• All competing vehicles are subject to mandatory
silencing, unless a specific waiver for that Class, or
Formula is granted. Where specified as mandatory, a
silencer must be used, irrespective of the exhaust
sound generated without it.
• Vehicles which comply with the Technical
Regulations of FIA Formulae and Championships set
out in the current FIA Yearbook and other FIA
approved Champion-ships, Series and Cups which
are participating in races for such Formulae,
Championships, Series and Cups at meetings which
have been entered on the FIA International Calendar
are exempt from MSA sound test requirements but
must comply with the sound test requirements set out
in the appropriate Formulae, Championship, Series or
Cup Regulations.
• Silencing is not mandatory for the following
categories of vehicle but is strongly recommended,
and may be made mandatory in the SRs at the
request of the Circuit/Venue owners:
(a) All cars of periods A to D. (This does not include
events any part of which takes place on the Public
Highway where national laws will apply.)
(b) Formula 1 and other single seater racing cars of
periods E and F.
(c) Drag race vehicles.
• For British Formula Three, British GT and British
• Lightweight
legal silencers in
stainless or titanium
• Power enhancing
tubular manifolds
• FIA homologated
high flow catalysts
• Reverse engineering of
existing parts
• Bespoke design and
fitting service
• Low volume manufacturing
facility
• CNC tube bending
Tel: 01327 261797 www.btbexhausts.co.uk
Competitors: Vehicles [C(b)]
148
Touring Car Championships the sound test shall be
conducted as set out within these regulations with the
engine running at 3/4 maximum speed, the sound
level meter at a height of 0.5 metres above the
ground (± 0.1 metre) located at 45° to and 0.5 metres
distant from the exhaust with a maximum permitted
sound level of 118dB(A).
• Special regulations apply to High Speed Oval
formulae and are only applicable when racing on high
speed oval circuits.
• Temporary Silencers, by-pass pipes or the inclusion
of temporary parts to achieve silencing requirements
are prohibited. Officials may refuse to carry out
Sound Checks on vehicles utilising temporary parts
in exhaust systems. Organisers are empowered to
exclude in such situations.
• Sound levels may be reduced following changes in
EU Regulations.
• Circuit/venue owners/organisers may impose
additional restrictions in SRs.
24. Sound Test Requirements (Chart 24)
• Measurements will be made at 0.5m from the end
of the exhaust pipe with the microphone at an angle
of 45° with the exhaust outlet and at a height of 0.5 to
1.0m above the ground.
• Where more than one exhaust outlet is present,
the test will be repeated for each exhaust and the
highest reading will be used. In circumstances where
the exhaust outlet is not immediately accessible,
the test may be conducted at 2.0m from the centre
line of the vehicle at 90° to the centre line of the
vehicle, with the microphone 1.2m above the ground.
• Measurements should be made outdoors with no
large reflecting objects (e.g. walls etc.) within 3.0m (in
the 0.5m test) or within 10.0m (in the 2.0m test).
• Background sound levels should be at least
10dB(A) below the measured level.
• Where possible measurements should be taken as
close as possible to the vehicle, at the defined
distances, to avoid background noise.
• Cars of periods A to D falling within Sections C and
D should run engines at two thirds maximum RPM.
• The 2.0m test can be made from either side of
the car.
• The highest reading registered being the one
needing to comply with the maximum noise
requirements.
• Sound testing should be carried out BEFORE
taking part in any competition.
• The time and location of sound testing should be
advised to competitors prior to the event.
• It is stressed that all participants in motor sport,
competitors, officials, marshals, etc., should be aware
of, and protect themselves from, noise.
25. Safety
All vehicles must comply with Safety Regulations as
itemised under their Specific Technical Regulations and
as detailed under the section headed Safety Criteria
[Section C(c)].
26. Miscellaneous
(a) Be of sound construction and mechanical
condition and be well maintained.
(b) Have positive fastenings for all doors and all
hinged or detachable parts of the bodywork.
(c) Have no temporary parts incorporated in their
construction.
(d) Not necessarily be equipped with seat belts,
speedometer, spare wheel or bumpers if the event is
held on private property unless specified to the
contrary by SRs. Any exposed sharp ends of
bumpers etc., must be protected.
(e) Be prohibited from carrying cameras/videos
unless authorised by the Chief Scrutineer and Event
Organiser.
(f) Not be a vehicle of commercial type, such as a
van/pick-up which was initially intended solely for
commercial or goods carrying, unless permitted by
SRs.
(g) Have a minimum distance of 183cm between the
centre lines of the foremost front and rearmost rear
substantial load-carrying wheels, unless complying
with an Approved Formula, or being a standard
production car.
(h) Except for racing cars, be fitted with a windscreen.
if plastic windscreen, sidescreens or rear windows
are fitted the thickness must not be less than 4mm.
(i) Sports cars supplied as standard with plastic
sidescreens may retain them in their original
thickness.
(j) Not have skirts, bridging devices or any form of
aerodynamic device between the chassis and the
ground/track. Any specific part of the car influencing
its aerodynamic performance must:
(a) comply with rules relating to coachwork.
(b) be rigidly secured to the entirely sprung part of
the vehicle.
(c) remain immobile in relation to the vehicle.
(k) Under no circumstance can any part of the
bodywork, or of the suspended part of the car, be
below a horizontal plane passing 4cm above the
ground, the car being in normal racing trim with the
driver aboard. A gauge of 4cm may be used by
Scrutineers before or after races or practice to check
the ground clearance.
(l) Not carry or pass any liquids in or through any
tubes comprising part of the chassis structure, or
safety roll-over bar.
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2m 3m
0.5m
45°
Meter
Chart 24: Maximum Noise Limits
The following table gives alternative distance readings. (Noise measured in dB(A).)
A = 0.5m. B = 2.0m C = 8.0m

Section ‘C’ A,100. B,88. C,76. STAGE RALLY, AUTOTEST, TRIALS, CCV
MAXIMUM AT 4,500 RPM
Section ‘D’ A,98. B,86. C,74. ROAD RALLY MAXIMUM AT 2⁄3 MAXIMUM RPM