otto69 Registered User
Posts: 1
(3/3/06 9:32 pm) Reply
MK1 Escort bubble arch flares
Hi, was wondering how legal the bubble arch flares would be as I need to remove more than 75mm from the edge of the std guards to fit ??
I'm using fibreglass and not steel, but if I only cut 75mm I can still see the original guard under the flares.
any help appreciated.
Clayton
rdmdog Registered User
Posts: 1061
(3/4/06 8:00 am) Reply
Re: MK1 Escort bubble arch flares
Welcome Clayton!
Bob Jowett is a semi-regular on the forum here and may be able to offer some advise on this subject, there is a few members here in NSW who are seeking clarification to the "plastic or composite material" wording. There may be a little more information in the near future. Sorry I cant be any more help than this!
otto69 Registered User
Posts: 2
(3/4/06 10:34 pm) Reply
Re: MK1 Escort bubble arch flares
Thanks rdmdog
I'm not in a hurry with this, so hopefully something will come up.
willing4 Registered User
Posts: 87
(3/6/06 3:19 pm) Reply
Re: MK1 Escort bubble arch flares
Hi,
we run a Mk 1 with bubble arches and every inch of it has been measured after a competitor complained to officials at the Oran Park nationals about it. The same competitor complained again at Phillip Island the following year and it was measured again and found to be correct a second time. I do know that others have not done theirs 'properly' and as a result have ultimately taken them off to avoid the wrath of the officials.
We were able to do it, however we were lucky in that we had the services of a panel guy who built the original mk1 ford works rally cars so he has had a lot of experience with mk1's. He spent a massive amount of time on them to avoid the normal use of copious amounts of filler and the result was fantastic. Probably makes it slower in a strait line, but it looks great!!!
cheers
Scott
Black Cosworth Escort
hrd1200 Registered User
Posts: 23
(3/7/06 7:25 pm) Reply
escort forest flares
as much as this hurts me to say being a datsun man, with MkI Escorts being the arch nemisis in rallying, the MkI with forest flares look absolutely fantastic. they should be allowed to use them just because of how horn they look! They still have rim width restrictions anyway.
but your reasoning sounds right to me otto69, as long as the total width requirement is also met, which it seems to be judging by Scott's post.
what's the confusion about "plastic or composite material" wording? is it that it doesn't alow steel flares? the minor reshaping provisions or 3.5 would cover 99% or flared steel gaurds. only addition and removal of material are not allowed uner that rule.
otto69 Registered User
Posts: 3
(3/7/06 8:00 pm) Reply
Re: escort forest flares
Hi Scott
I taped the flares onto a std body and found that the fronts were 80mm wider per side and the rears were 55mm wider.
Is this close to the normal bubble arches ?? Did you have to cut and shut the fronts to keep them at 50mm per side ?
Are you able to post or send some pictures ?
Thanks for all the help guys.
regards
Re: escort forest flares
The rule is worded to "allow" plastic and composite materials to be used in construction of the flares. However, some people have managed to interpret this in such a way that they believe Steel flares are not permitted (which is ridiculous). If the rule did not mention plastic or composite materials - everyone would have to make them out of steel, as that is what the "standard" body is made from.
The fact that the rule is worded to "allow" the use of plastic and composite materials means that competitors are not forced to make flares from Steel, it's a "freedom" allowed within the rules.
The rule needs to be re-worded to clear up this mis-interpretation. It's ridiculous to think that a competitor can't go and make his/her flares from steel when the body of the car is made of steel. Steel flares cost $$$ to have fabricated and can not be as easily repaired if damaged, compared to bolt on fibreglass flares. Speaking from a personal view point, we run steel flares because using bolt on flares that were designed for a different car just didn't look right.
Mark.
willing4 Registered User
Posts: 88
(3/7/06 9:25 pm) Reply
Re: escort forest flares
Hi,
firstly there are a lot of different escort widths, depending on your car, check this first in the Escort bibles. (what it should be, not what it is).
I will send details to your personal box, but we did have to cut them and if you simply screw them to the outside you will have trouble. I also know that there are different widths in these, some considerably bigger than others. There are a few pics of ours on DH photo from Aug 2003 and I will email some to you.
Just remember that it is more surface to push thru the air and if someone leans on you, you will be back to the panel shop....
BUT, we love it!!
Have fun!!!
otto69 Registered User
Posts: 4
(3/8/06 8:01 pm) Reply
Re: escort forest flares
Thanks Scott
Your a champion, theres not much better than a Mk1 with bubble arches........well maybe a Ford GT40
regards
Clayton
hrd1200 Registered User
Posts: 24
(3/9/06 10:19 pm) Reply
flares
gotta disagree dats, sorry. the rules are quite clear that unless it specifically says you can do it, you can't. And it does not say you can add flares of steel material. plastics or composite only.
otherwise only minor reshaping is allowed for tyre clearance, which specifically precludes the addition or removal of material.
I don't know why it is that way, or pretend to know the intent of the rule makers, but thems the rules.
willing4 Registered User
Posts: 89
(3/10/06 9:07 am) Reply
Re: flares
I am not saying that this is my opinion, but my understanding from discussions with relevant senior IPRA parties is that they regard the addition of metal flares as being a change the body shape of the vehicle, and this is not the intent of the class - hence the wording minor reshaping of metal etc. Effectively it is a bigger picture view rather than about a specific rule. This is also the basis of the evolution to no flares for LM - trying to ensure the identity remains with 'production' bodied cars.
The use of a composite etc is regarded as a 'non permanent' change and therefore allowed.
Personally I dont really mind as I cannot see it offering any advantage to anyone, and to be honest there are a lot of holes in the total logic if you look at all of the potenital mounting options and materials but that is what I was told.
Registered User
Posts: 683
(3/10/06 7:05 pm) Reply
Re: flares
hrd1200 - we'll just have to agree to disagree then
I believe that the reason plastic and composite is mentioned is because you can not do anything unless specified. If it didn't mention plastic or composites - everyone would have to use steel.
While the car's would look better (IMHO) steel flares are not as forgiving, and therefore it makes "sense" to allow people to use cheaper "bolt-on" options.
I don't have a problem with people using fibreglass flares (i would actually have more tyre clearance if I had fibreglass flares), but it's bloody ridiculous to think that you can't make the flares out of the same material that the car body is made of.
hrd1200 Registered User
Posts: 25
(3/13/06 3:47 pm) Reply
Re: flares
it wouldn't be the first rule to be ridiculous!
It mentions the only materials permissable. The rules covering spoilers and wings do not mention any restrictions on materials.
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