I've just realized that my wife will be visiting her family the weekend of 4/19 so I'm free to go do something grand. I'm thinking pretty hard about running the XRRA event in April. I'm not really expecting to win but I should be able to finish the course.

What kind of "gotchas" would keep me out of the race? Is there something I should do to prepare myself or my rig?

http://www.just4fun.org/images/buggy/rear%20axle%20and%20suspension%20project/SANY0186.JPG

toyota housing will bend

toyota housing will bend Are you thinking of the front housing? Did you know it's an FJ80 housing? Do you still think it needs to be built up? (It's really not a big deal either way.)

BTW, while hints like that are welcome, I was really focused on the sort of thing that would stop me from trying. The last thing I'd want is to show up and fail some kind of safety inspection.

have you gone through the rulebook?

have you gone through the rulebook?

I'm sorry, I was temporarily lazy but I've finished reading it now. The two things that caught my attention were 1) Window nets are required 2) My master kill switch is between the seats instead of on the dash.

Just curious, if I hadn't caught these things do you think they would have let me race? (I will address them, I'm just wondering what happens if you miss something?)

Since nobody has answered you yet...normal things they check for that anybody's good trail rig might not have...

- How's your firewall?

- Can't tell from pics...do you have a roof? They made us change our roof last year. It was expanded metal.

- The like open lug nuts so they can see the threads sticking out.

- Window nets

- Clearance between helmet and cage. Throw a helmet on and see if your helmet is in your roof.

- Kill switch

- what kind of battery do you have?

Is there room in the event? I know the West is full and you cannot get in.

Download the rules and keep a copy with you

it might be hard to get window nets to cover that opening well enough - maybe?
3" head room with SNELL helmet
padding on any bar close to head area

20 gauge steel, .040 AL, or lexan firewall, floor, roof

I sure wish we could pre tech before traveling all the way to the first event but we gotta finish the rig first.

Email or Call the Weavers www.rockrace.com - but one thing that has been bothering me - post up here with questions and the answers you get. it doesn't help the new guys to have everything answered in pm's and emails. It would probably cut down on questions and controversy too. - just my opinoin

Since nobody has answered you yet...normal things they check for that anybody's good trail rig might not have...

- How's your firewall?

- Can't tell from pics...do you have a roof? They made us change our roof last year. It was expanded metal.

- The like open lug nuts so they can see the threads sticking out.

- Window nets

- Clearance between helmet and cage. Throw a helmet on and see if your helmet is in your roof.

- Kill switch

- what kind of battery do you have?

Great reply, thanks.

Dustin: I sent an email to find out if they had space for me.

The west is full, might be room in the east still.

I *just* got off the phone with Mike Weaver. He said they cap the event at 36 rigs and he currently had 26 or 27 rigs signed up for Gray Rock.

Some of the things he warned me about were 1) Fireproof suit 2) Window nets 3) The visibility hole by my feet *had* to be closed 4) Approved helmet and roof height

I had thought about running the Jellico event butt didnt see anything about the exabition class this season. I would like to do it but not for the series fee and event fee. I need to move on this if I am gonna do it so I can get my junk ready. Guess I need to do some checking.

Toddy

Print the Rulebook, and read it. Then go sit by your rig and re-read it. Then go through it and physically checkoff each item. If you didn't check it off, start a list. On that list get to rockin.

Don't forget if you have a fuel cell in the rear, it needs to be firewalled off from the passenger area.

SOme of the small stuff is what got me. Open lugnuts and the like. Dont forget about your 5 points, they have to be in Spec. Check the dates.

Don't forget if you have a fuel cell in the rear, it needs to be firewalled off from the passenger area.

.

? Did you mean radiator?

Really both should be. A sheet of Lexan should do.

Found it. You can sign up for just one event. Dont think I am gonna do it. I am afraid I will like it. Dont really want to spend the money to get the rig comp ready at this time either. Maybe my winter project will be to XRRA ready the buggy for next season.

Toddy

Thanks everybody. BTW, I mailed out my application today.

The way the east is filling up I predict it will be a full series in 2009, you should get in now, yes you will love it! If you wait you might lose out. In the west there are no spots left, therefore you can't do a single event.The east has not filled,[ yet ] If it were me and was thinking about joining the east I would send my registration ASAP

? Did you mean radiator?

Nope

Rules page 15
#14 Firewall
A. Firewall must be, (aluminum .040 minimum, steel 20 gauge minimum, or 1/8" Lexan) separating the engine and fuel source from the driver's compartment.

Nope

Rules page 15
#14 Firewall
A. Firewall must be, (aluminum .040 minimum, steel 20 gauge minimum, or 1/8" Lexan) separating the engine and fuel source from the driver's compartment.

Is this new this year? I can think of about 38 of the 42 rigs in the west that don't have a firewall in the rear of the vehicle?

I don't think it's new, but would think if you have an engine and/or fuel cell in the rear that you should have one (both apply in my case). I use a sheet of lexan to separate myself from both (as well as the radiator).

The firewall rule has not been changed, as was stated earlier full containment from cockpit to motor or fuel source. We may have missed some teams on the fuel cell containment last season, and we did see some issues arise,ASK BRIAN SHIRLEY!!! We also saw a cell top come off when a guy in gray rock flipped on his lid, The lock was still closed!!! So we will be checking more closely. There may still be some teams out of compliance, I would hope they read the updated rules for this year. Call your fellow compeditors and give them a heads up. We will also send an e-mail blast with this info.

I wont be competing, but Ill come and cheer for the Yota buggy :D