TOP TIPS

Tips for Track Days & rule changes

It seems that there is no definite ruling from the track day operators on the standards that will apply to helmets and race wear this year.

Before traveling it must be worth checking the rules that apply to your day.

1) Helmet but what specification do they require?
2) Gloves are these mandatory?
3) Overalls are these mandatory and to what specification?
4) What noise level applies?
5) Shoes if fireproof boots are not required kart boots at half the price are a good alternative.

Seat Sub Frames

Cobra make a range of seat sub frames for the more popular cars. The standard sub frame is for bottom mounted runners and is designed for use in road cars where seat adjustment is required. Some sub frames can be supplied to take side mounted seats but these often raise the height of the seat. For competition use the seat must be side mounted without runners and here the side mounts are usually bolted direct to the floor pan but in some cases fabrication of brackets will be required to find somewhere strong to fit the side mounts.

Goodridge 600 brake hose use and MOT’s

Remember there are two systems for 600 brake hoses. Swaged and reusable. The swaged version is normally used on road cars as this is the version that is acceptable to MOT testers as once assembled it cannot be changed. The reusable type is normally used on competition vehicles as it can often be replaced in the paddock.

The swaged version is slightly lighter so it is now finding its way onto some competition cars.

NEW IN STOCK

Splitable Dry Sump Tanks

David Lazenby has started again to produce his Dry Sump tanks. The beauty of these is that they are made in two parts with a band clamp and ‘O’ ring joining the two halves together. Being in two parts they are easy to clean and it is also easy to pull them apart to weld in extra unions.

The oil outlet from the tank has a swept inlet to promote a very smooth oil uplift increasing oil flow and reducing oil cavitation.
 
Placed inside the upper section of the oil tank and covering the upper end of the centre tube is a "cup".  The purpose of this cup is to prevent oil being breathed out of the tank in the most extreme conditions and in practice, providing the tank is not completely over-filled, works well.    

The 3 small sizes of tank have M22 female ports and the large tank has -16JIC female fittings.

K-MX 9 Alpinestars Kart Suit – NOW IN STOCK

The eagerly awaited entry level kart suit from Alpinestars is now in stock.  The K-MX 9 features a 3 layer construction with sleek design for optimum fit and comfort when in the driving position. Our first stock order has arrived so get in touch asap if you’d like one with your name on!

OBP - Pedal Assemblies - NOW IN STOCK

Over the years obp has provided hundreds of pedal systems to race teams, race drivers and track day race cars. Download this PDF to see obps ‘tech session on bias bar set up’.  Click here to download

A PROBLEM SOLVED

At Merlin we regularly have customers coming in to see us or phoning us and the conversation will start with “You probably won’t be able to help me with this problem but ……”. 

We love a challenge and, sometimes much to a customer’s amazement; we’re often able to find a solution. 

One of our latest rescues -

The Solution – Custom made Goodridge 200 Series Fuel Lines

A technical problem manifested itself with an apprehensive customer who arrived at our shop with some photographs of an Audi Quattro fuel system and a Male / Male adaptor.

The starting point to solving this problem was to identify the adaptor - it was M14 x 1.5mm.  We then selected a -6 JIC (9/16” UNF) Male / Male fitting (G-306-06-M14D) and as a result we were then able to use Goodridge 200 Series hose and 236 Alloy hose fittings.

This satisfied the customer’s requirement for a high quality and “I only want to do this once” solution for the installation.

Using hose lengths provided by the customer two fuel lines were made up in our workshop using a selection of 45° and 90° unions.

This task was completed in just 30 minutes at very reasonable cost of £137.00.

We had a lovely email from this customer a few days later who said -  “To say that I am impressed with Merlin Motorsport is an under statement and that thanks to Merlin, my Audi Quattro restoration project looks as if it will be ready for the trip to the Le Mans 24hr in June. Thank you”.

GRAB YOURSELF A BARGAIN RACE SUIT

GP-1 Alpinestars race suit – ***Limited time only Discounted price***

For a limited period only we are offering Alpinestars extremely popular GP-1 race suit at a discounted price. Limited sizes and colours are available on this FIA
Approved Racing Suit.  Give us a call today if you’re after a good deal on a new suit and we can tell you what we have to suit your requirements.

NEW 2010 HELMET REGULATIONS.

The MSA has changed the helmet regulations for 2010. The regulations are here on page 173.

MSA BLUE BOOK

Helmets to BSI standard 6658/85 Type A (blue label) will no longer be acceptable for any MSA discipline. All the other standards continue as before. So the BS6658/85 Type FR (red label) is acceptable as is the Snell SA2005.

All that’s happened is that the MSA has dropped BS6658 Type A from all disciplines. In karting you can use any helmets meeting the standards required for other disciplines, these being BS6658 Type A/FR, Snell SA2000, Snell SA2005 or SFI 31.1A or SFI 31.2A all of which have a fire resistant lining.

Alternative in karting you can use a Snell K98 helmet which does not have a fire resistant lining or the recently introduced Snell –FIA CMR2007 or Snell-FIA CMS2007 helmets, these are also without a fire resistant lining.

We are still waiting to hear from the Track Day Operators on the standards that they will require.

Bell and Arai helmets are Snell SA2005 labelled and the Sparco Formula and Project BSI 6658/85 Type FR.

The MSA have not yet made any decisions on making HANS mandatory on National events in the UK but some championships have; check the championship regulations.

In Europe HANS devices are becoming necessary in many countries. If you are buying a new helmet it may be wise to buy one with HANS posts ready fitted so that if HANS device do become mandatory your helmet can be used.