Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

My usual hillclimb car (not a Lotus) will be out of action for some time. I?d already entered for a sprint to be held in May before it broke down and would like to use my Elan instead but only if I can get the Elan to comply with the (British) MSA regulations with as little expense and trouble as possible (my motoring funds are needed for major engine work on the other car). I?m uncertain how in practice certain regulations would apply to the Elan and would appreciate advice and comments on the following:

Reg C(b) 10 throttle springs. I assume this means one spring for each carburettor (that?s how I?ve known scrutineers to interpret it in the past, though it?s not all that clear) so that I have to fix an extra spring to my Dellortos. Any suggestions on how to do this neatly?

C(c) 50 seats ? do standard Elan seats (which tip forward slightly) comply with this?

C(c) 51 headrests. This seems a problem with standard Elan seats. What can I do? (I?m not fitting a roll cage.)

C(c) 52 fire extinguisher I?ll use a handheld one. Where do you suggest I fix it?

C(c) 72 tank filler (petrol cap) must not protrude beyond bodywork. It seems to me the standard Elan petrol cap (and many others) must breach this slightly, but do people get away with it?

I 57 fuel cut off switch ? does the normal ignition switch count as this on the basis that if you stop the engine you stop the mechanical fuel pump? If not, what do you suggest?

I 67 timing strut ? I?d rather not screw this into the bumper. I suppose I could make a bracket that fixed to the bodywork under the bumper.

Oil catch tank ? it doesn?t seem that the regulations require one for hillclimbing and sprinting, though I?ve always had one on the other car. Reg I 53 refers to the size of catch tanks but doesn?t say they?re mandatory. Do you agree?

After writing all this, I?m beginning to think it?s not worth it for what will probably be one event.

Cant answer most of your questions But Dellortos have a built in external throttle spring at the rear between the barrels which is accepted as meeting the similal requirements in Australia.
cheers
Rohan

Thanks Rohan. That sounds as though it should be OK.
Robert

Your seat must be fixed - and solid - they will give it a good tug - it should really be a race seat with a built in head rest. You do have a problem without a head rest as its in the regs - and in fairness important to help prevent you breaking your neck in a shunt.

Ignition switch is OK as a cut off for the hills

Screw fire bottle just across the front of the passenger seat

Its easy to bolt the timing strut to the section under the bumper

But hillclimbing is like watching paint dry... fine if its local to check if your race car is OK before a proper event . I would have a look at www.hrcr.co.uk and do a few NIGHT road rallies - can be a lot of fun - and you might be OK with your seat ?

You will need the addition of a first aid kit and an SOS board.

Thanks for the reply. I am rather concerned about the seat, but as I said I'm only thinking of using the Elan whilst the other car is out of action. An experienced scrutineer has now told me I'll be OK with the standard original seat, but I agree with you that that's not what the regulations say.
I'm sorry I don't agree with you about hillclimbing. I've always enjoyed it.