I did hear one rumour that some knobhead put some foreign motor into a car not too well, and had the flywheel explode.....So that was the beginning of all these changes.
Of course I don't know if there is any truth to the rumour but I have seen some dodgy looking engine swaps in skid pigs...
I have a pic on my phone of a turbo barra in a Rodeo....It has a flimsey piece of steel bolted to the block and a single 13MM nut and bolt bolted to another flimsey piece of steel welded to the chassis...
That's the sort of shite the promotors are trying to keep out of comps for obvious reasons...
The rules were coming in, in SA before this happened more recently in SA.
Happened at drags when I was a kid too. It’s not new.
Fires at RCN a few years ago when a spectator got badly burnt had the fencing moved back and fire suits for drivers and passengers become standard in all cars at ‘nats events.
AASA insurance requirements and the vehicle log book are the things that have got people most upset. But it’s literally safety. Tailshaft loops are standard in most motor sport events now. Ensuring fuel tanks are protected from shredded tyres puncturing them seems logical but people get big mad about having to put a plate in the wheel well.
Batteries tied down, seat belts that work, headlights for night events, neutral switches. These are all scrutinised items that I watched people argue about. Like come on!
After watching dude nearly lose a leg at a pad from flywheel letting go about 2yrs ago, I expected more rules around motor swaps and safety, but didn’t see as many as I expected.
It’s still quite loose, but people still bitch.