Author Topic: Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )  (Read 7301 times)

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Offline Cajun Kid

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Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )
« on: December 06, 2009, 03:58:05 PM »
" All enclosed driver compartments shall be equipped with a forward-pointing fresh air intake or breathing system directed to the driver and have adequate venting to carry away fumes."


I have no idea if this pertains to door cars (like my Studebaker).. If it does..I sure would appreciate any ideas and pictures on how this might be done. (pics of this system/vents on a Stude or Classic category car would be even better)

We are getting ready to take the body off and go to final paint in a few weeks and I just noticed this rule, I had read it before, but the wording led me to think it was for "enclosed"  like in LINERS,,not door cars.

Thanks


Charles
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Offline willieworld

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Re: Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2009, 04:26:58 PM »
charles your cars are both enclosed cars--an open car would be a roadster with an open cage--good air in --bad air out --the car guys could answer better than me ---my only suggestion would be---where ever you pick up your fresh air make sure flames can never get in ---i would think through the side lexan window like drag race cars----------------willie buchta
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Offline Richard Thomason

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Re: Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2009, 04:27:37 PM »
I believe it applies to all cars whose cockpits are not open to the air. We all need to breathe.

Offline Milwaukee Midget

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Re: Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )
« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2009, 04:39:34 PM »
Didn't I see a Stude on here with a NACA duct in a lexan window for air?

As an aside, would that be legal for a production based car?
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McRat

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Re: Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )
« Reply #4 on: December 06, 2009, 04:52:06 PM »
I don't think it has to do with air for the driver.  All cars made that I've ever seen have ventilation.  Not front-facing, since few drivers like wearing raincoats while driving.  My factory vents are side and rear.  

I believe in case of a fuel leak inside the cab, they want explosive gases actively vented.  This assumes the fuel is volatile, it can get inside to begin with, and  OEM ventilation schemes won't work.    

This is one of those cases that perhaps was referred to in another thread.  A car had a problem in this area, and somebody was injured?  Without knowing anything about the circumstances, it is hard to say what the true goal is.  That info might be of benefit to those setting up cars, so they can make sure the device actually does what it's intended purpose is.
« Last Edit: December 06, 2009, 05:15:58 PM by McRat »

Offline stratman59

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Re: Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )
« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2009, 05:25:30 PM »
Charles,

I ask Keith this question he told the factory fresh air was ok.
My car gets fresh air from the cowl area thru the heater box not sure on your car.
Dennis Zanfeld on the Trams Am has a one inch pipe thru the firewall outside the engine compartment above the driver side front wheel.

Robbie

Offline Dr Goggles

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Re: Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )
« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2009, 05:28:33 PM »
For us it is a driver's issue....and I can't imagine low cab pressure is helpful for any type of car....

It's amazing where fumes will get when you don't want them to....

It was during our very first test runs when I discovered that the fuel breather was perfectly placed to send a little shot of fuel at the tail pipe ( from the return line when I backed off)and that the ever so slight gap around our canopy made it a low pressure zone which was quickly filled by the aforementioned fumes...

We cut a little smile vent in the nose of the car and then made some little "auto-bailer" style vents in the side windows that work a treat...

remember our fuel tank is ten feet behind the driver ( and the tail pipe 12-14)and looking at our car you wouldn't think we'd have much reversed flow around the body.....It emphasizes the importance of good gap sealing and keeping the pressure in the drivers compartment positive, that's what vents are for.
« Last Edit: December 06, 2009, 07:36:46 PM by Dr Goggles »
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Offline Cajun Kid

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Re: Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )
« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2009, 05:40:01 PM »
Robbie,

My new firewall is "sealed tight"  flat steel plate.  I have no factory Heater or Air or any air intakes in the cowl area.

On you car and the Firedbird,, where is the "vent"   for air/fumes to escape the cabin ?


NACA Duct in Classic Altered Class,,,, Not sure if we can use them ?

I am going to have Lexan front windshield, door windows and side quarter windows.  I guess I could cut hole (circle) in the door windows if NACA Ducts not legal.. then all I have to do is figure out a vent to the outside?

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A/CBFALT, B/CBFALT, C/CBFALT, C/CFALT, C/CGALT,   E/CGALT, E/CFALT

Fastest Standing Mile at Ohio  203.343mph
Fastest Standing Mile at Maxton 196.967mph
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Offline stratman59

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Re: Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2009, 05:50:41 PM »
Charles,

The Trans Am has holes in the windows.
I'm not sure on my car but do know the windows don't seal 100 %.
I haven't had any problems with flumes in the car.
If you aren't using stock door handles inside you put holes in each window to get to the door release like the drag cars or just use the holes for ventilation.
Just my thoughts maybe someone more in the know will chime in.

Robbie

Offline Cajun Kid

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Re: Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2009, 05:56:59 PM »
Robbie,, I was thinking about putting holes in the Lexan door windows.

Like the drag cars, that way it serves as fresh air intake and access to the door handle and door net release.

Seems simple, but should work,,,, But with everything else being more complicated, I just figured nothing else could be so easy.

Charles
ECTA Record Holder Maxton
E/CBFALT, E/CBGALT, E/CGALT, E/CFALT, A/CGALT, C/CGALT, D/CGALT, C/CBGALT, B/CBGALT, C/CFALT
OHIO
B/CGALT, C/CGALT

LTA Record Holder and 200 Club Member
A/CBFALT, B/CBFALT, C/CBFALT, C/CFALT, C/CGALT,   E/CGALT, E/CFALT

Fastest Standing Mile at Ohio  203.343mph
Fastest Standing Mile at Maxton 196.967mph
Fastest Standing 1.5 Mile at Loring 213.624mph
Fastest Standing Mile at Loring 204.109mph

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Offline stratman59

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Re: Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )
« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2009, 06:21:28 PM »
Charles,

Just when you think you got it something else shows up.

Robbie

Offline RichFox

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Re: Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )
« Reply #11 on: December 06, 2009, 06:45:01 PM »
Holes in the side windows with small scoops will work. On my cars I have a small scoop in the roof just above the driver. The idea is to have positive pressure air blowing in on the driver so that if the car fills up with smoke he will have some fresh air to breathe

Offline Cajun Kid

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Re: Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )
« Reply #12 on: December 06, 2009, 06:50:14 PM »
Rich,, sounds like a good deal.

Can you please post pictures ?

I learn by seeing !!!    V I S U A L I Z E

Charles
ECTA Record Holder Maxton
E/CBFALT, E/CBGALT, E/CGALT, E/CFALT, A/CGALT, C/CGALT, D/CGALT, C/CBGALT, B/CBGALT, C/CFALT
OHIO
B/CGALT, C/CGALT

LTA Record Holder and 200 Club Member
A/CBFALT, B/CBFALT, C/CBFALT, C/CFALT, C/CGALT,   E/CGALT, E/CFALT

Fastest Standing Mile at Ohio  203.343mph
Fastest Standing Mile at Maxton 196.967mph
Fastest Standing 1.5 Mile at Loring 213.624mph
Fastest Standing Mile at Loring 204.109mph

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Offline SPARKY

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Re: Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )
« Reply #13 on: December 06, 2009, 09:52:17 PM »
Several cars have air vents like Rich is talking about---you want enough air to presurise the drivers compartment---smoke  and fumes at any track and Dust at EL M have been know to be sucked into the compartment..
« Last Edit: December 07, 2009, 09:52:27 AM by SPARKY »
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Re: Driver Compartment (Rule 3.E )
« Reply #14 on: December 06, 2009, 10:36:17 PM »
Would I be safe in assuming that if I have lots of fresh air venting and no dust comes inside during a run at Elmo, that the cab is positive pressure? 

I think that not even a side window vents will stop all smoke from entering, just reduce it.  I grenaded the trans in a Super Gas car at 140mph with side vents, and smoke came in.  Not dangerous levels, but side vents didn't stop all of it.  Having a little info on what's going on up front isn't bad.