Clarification: In the case of an engine swap car, the harness must be from or the same type as that of the donor engine, and not from the receiving chassis.

Clarification: As stated in Prepared Class, 1. Engine, D.:
“OBD II equipped cars may retrofit engine electronics to the pre-OBD II
factory system which came on the same model and engine type.”
While there are some restrictions depending on which combinations are chosen, generally, yes, retrofitting OBDI electronics and engine harness in place of OBDII electronics and engine harness is allowed.

Clarification: As stated in Stock Class, 7. Body/Chassis/Interior, E. Spoilers, Splitters, Airdams, and Wings
“2b. Wings are restricted to factory-original or factory-optional configurations for the year, chassis and model, or aftermarket products that exactly duplicate either the original or optional factory units.”
The LTW wing was not original factory equipment or a factory option for a 1999 M3, therefore it is not allowed on a stock class car.

Clarification: Any repair or reinforcement must follow that as described in the factory authorized repair manual or bulletins. Any additional reinforcement not specifically described in the factory manual and/or bulletins may move the car to a different class.

Clarification: Unless specifically stated in the rules, no factory original parts are required to be removed to remain compliant in any class for any model. Any factory aerodynamic aids originally installed are allowed.

Clarification:  

As stated in Safety 4. Safety Harnesses, A. SFI and FIA Certifications: "SFI tagged harnesses are punched with the month and year of manufacture. SFI certifications (16.1 & 16.5) shall expire on December 31 of the second year after the date of manufacture as indicated on the label. There should be three labels on each complete harness – one on a shoulder belt, one lap belt, and one sub-strap. FIA harnesses have tags printed by each manufacturer. FIA harness certifications are good for a period of 5 years from the date of manufacture. FIA harnesses may be used until December 31st of the year printed (or stamped) on the tag. There should be one FIA tag on each element of the harness."

In this case, harnesses which are SFI tagged and were manufactured in 4/05 and 5/05 will expire at the end of December 2007.

Clarification: CF roofs are allowed on modified class E46 cars if the roof is a factory original or an exact replica for the chassis AND model. Installation method must be as per the factory instructions and methods.

Clarification: As stated in Safety 10. Head and Neck Restraints:
“Effective April 1, 2006, all racers must use a Head and Neck Restraint meeting standards SFI 38.1 or FIA 8858-2002. The SFI standard can be found at:
http://www.sfifoundation.com/manuf.html#38.1. ”
The Isaac device does not have an SFI 38.1 certification. While their website claims that their device "meets or exceeds the performance requirements of SFI Specification 38.1" it has not actually passed the tests, and is therefore not currently SFI 38.1 certified. Once this device (or any other device, for that matter) is actually certified by the SFI as meeting 38.1 it is automatically approved for BMW Club Racing.

Clarification: As stated in Car Classification, 2. SCCA Classifications:
“A. Competitors must declare in writing in the car’s BMW CCA logbook to which series preparation rules they are complying with.
B. Competitors must be able to present the most current SCCA General Competition Regulations (GCR) appropriate to the declared class.”
The vehicle and its preparation must meet the requirements of the rule book for the declared series. A vehicle meeting all safety requirements of the current SCCA GCR may race in BMW CR under the above provisions. However, personal safety items (IE, head & neck restraint, suit, shoes, helmet, arm restraints, etc) must meet or exceed BMW CCA Club Racing rules.

Request: Are non-stock or non-OEM head bolts and/or bolt sizes allowed in a prepared class car?

Clarification:  

Improved wording to Stock, 1. Engine:

"B. The engine must be as delivered from factory. Internal and external hardware (nuts, bolts, etc.) may be replaced with OE/OEM equivalent or better items performing the same fastening function(s) (IE, studs/nuts/washers replacing bolts). All hardware MUST be the same size/diameter as OE/OEM. No other modifications of any type after the air filter or before the exhaust port."

All Stock Class improvements are allowed in the Prepared Class as well. Thus alternate hardware is allowed but must meet OE size/diameter.

Clarification: The MINI Cooper JCW is package installed at the dealer and is not available as a separate kit. It is delivered from the factory rated at 207bHP. Based on a published curb weight of 2678 the W:P ratio is 12.94 and thus will be classified in ‘I’ class.  
Note that use of the JCW package and its parts must follow any existing rules regarding factory options. 

Request: Is there a specific example of a cage bar that would be considered solely for chassis stiffening in Stock or Prepared class when the cage can only have 6 – 8 mounting points? 

Clarification:  

Improved wording to Appendix A, Roll Cage Specifications, 18. Additional Reinforcements:

A. Any number of additional reinforcing bars/braces are permitted within the structure of the cage provided that they meet all installation, weld quality, tube diameter/material/bend specifications as required. Installation of additional reinforcing bars/braces does NOT allow for removal of ANY required bar/brace/hoop and does not allow for alterations to them. Stock and Prepared class reinforcing bars/braces may not connect to mounting plates."

Request: I have a rebuilt S-14 motor in Stock Class. The motor was rebuilt 8/05 with CP pistons having an overbore of .020". Do I have to run the +50 sticker on the windshield for the '06 season. Does that mean new pistons for '07? 

Clarification:  

As the rules state in Stock Classes, 1. Engine:

“I. All pistons, including aftermarket replacements, must be factory replacement spec and match factory dome, dish, valve relief depth, ring groove placement, weight and wrist pin height; compression must meet factory replacement specifications. The maximum allowable overbore is limited to the largest available factory replacement piston, not to exceed .020 inch. Engines which were built before the 2006 season using pistons that are larger than the maximum factory replacement specifications, but still smaller than or equal to the 0.020” absolute maximum, may be run in Stock class for the 2006 season only, with the following requirements:

1. The logbook of the car must contain a signed and dated statement on the first unused event page by the car owner that the engine contains these pistons.

2. The car must carry a penalty weight of 50 lbs (above that minimum stock class weight required by the rules). This additional weight must be indicated with a “+50” decal on the lower right side of the windshield in white letters 3” high.”

Therefore, yes, it is required to run an additional 50lbs of ballast (secured as per the rules) and additionally the appropriate “+50” indication on the lower right side of the front windshield.

The rules change proposal period for 2007 rules is not open yet therefore there is no guarantee that there will or will not be a change for 2007.

Request: If I have a harness that is both SFI and FIA certified, but only has SFI tags, does it expire at the end of the 2nd year, or is it good for 5 years? 

Clarification:  

A harness must be tagged as FIA certified in order to be considered FIA certified. If it does not have these tags and only has SFI tags then it will be considered SFI only and expires at the end of December in the second year after manufacture date. 

Request: The new window net rules state that the net must release from "either end" at the top.  Does this mean either the front end or the rear end, or does it mean that release must be possible from either front or rear simultaneously, as in needing two separate releases on the top bar?

Clarification:  

The window net must be able to be released from one end OR the other, not both individually.

Request: Modified cars must use BMW OEM transmission of any kind and ratio. Does this mean that transmissions in Modified: Must be BMW OEM in every way other than ratios (ratios are free) -or- Must be BMW OEM using any BMW OEM available ratios.

Clarification:  

The transmission internals must be BMW OEM in every way including BMW OEM ratios.

Request: For an M50 engine built in 2006 to JP specs, what is the maximum overbore size? +0.5mm? Are forged pistons allowed in JP? 

Clarification:  

The stated rules in BMW CCA Club Racing rules V11.2, Prepared Classes, 1. Engine, E., Page 31 are clear on piston specifications including diameter. In the case of the M50B25, the largest overbore size from the factory is +0.5mm (0.020”). Forged pistons are allowed provided they meet all factory specifications as indicated above.

Request: For an M50 engine in JP spec, is the larger euro M3 MAF allowed?

Clarification:  

Please refer to the stated rules in BMW CCA Club Racing rules V11.2, Prepared Classes, 1. Engine, A. Intake System. In this case, the HFM from the Euro E36 M3 maintains the stock configuration and operation but is a size upgrade. Therefore it would be allowed for use on the M50 engine. 

Request: The model 1 HANS (sometimes known as the Darth Vadar model), which is more permanently attached to the helmet, does not carry the SFI 38.X certification. Can a rules clarification allow the continued use of this HANS for at least the 2006 season?

Clarification:  

The stated rules in BMW CCA Club Racing rules V11.2, Safety, 10. Head and Neck Restraints are clear on the requirements for the use of head and neck restraint devices. The HANS device must meet SFI 38.1 or FIA 8858-2002. Use of older non-certified systems is not permitted.

Request: Stock class engine rules state: “S. Spark plugs are free. Spark plug wires must be OEM or an exact aftermarket replacement.” I'm running a fairly common stock replacement which is a cleaner install and so far more reliable. But I believe it is an 8mm wire and the stock is 7mm. Do I need to replace these back with a stock set?

Clarification:  

As the stock class rules state, “…Spark plug wires must be OEM or an exact aftermarket replacement.” Therefore a wire that is of a different diameter than stock is not allowed.

Request: Section 1.D of prepared class rule states: "OBD II equipped cars may retrofit engine electronics to the pre-OBD II factory system which came on the same model and engine type." Does this allow the conversion of an E36 328 from OBD-II to OBD-I?

Clarification:  

As the rule states “….same model and engine type.” There is no OBDI E36 328 model therefore this conversion is not allowed.

Request: According to the rules, wings are defined in Stock Class Rule 7.E.1.c as "The aerodynamic piece that is usually attached to the rear deck lid. Wings provide aerodynamic effect by use of an airfoil section." This rule does not appear to require the wing to be attached to the rear decklid. Stock Class Rule 7.E.1.e goes on to say that ""wing" will be used to refer to aerodynamic devices above the trunk line at the rear of the car." Mod rules later restrict mod wings with this wording in Mod Class Rule 9.O.: "Wings are free, provided they do not exceed maximum body width, are no higher than the roofline, and extend no further than 16" behind the rear bumper." Can you please clarify whether velocity generators are legal? (Links to pictures of installation removed) 

Clarification:  

"Wings are free, provided they do not exceed maximum body width, are no higher than the roofline, and extend no further than 16" behind the rear bumper." Velocity generators that meet these requirements are allowed in modified class.

Request: For engines with vanos, is removing the vanos allowed in prepared class?

Clarification:  

The Prepared Class engine rules are clear and do not indicate that ANY modification to the vanos system is allowed including, but not limited to, removal.

Request: According to the stock class rules 7C: "Seats are free providing minimum weight of vehicle is met." Then further 7H: "Interiors, with the exception of rear seats and the panels affected by the installation of the roll cage, must be intact." Are rear seats free or can they only be removed if they cannot be reinstalled due to roll cage interference?

Clarification:  

Rear seats (backs and bottoms) are not required in stock class.

Request: On page 33, 7.G in the Prepared Rules, the book states:

"The OEM driver and passenger door(s) panels may be replaced with 0.060" aluminum or a comparable material, securely attached to the door. Window glass and window actuator mechanism may be altered or removed. However, any door adjacent to a seat equipped with seat belts or harness must be capable of being opened from both inside and outside the car."

Can the rear door panels be removed/replaced as the fronts? Do the rear door panels require an aluminum or comparable material panel as the fronts?

Clarification:  

Rear doors are passenger doors and therefore the panels may be removed, same as the fronts. As with the front panels, if they are removed an aluminum or comparable material panel must be put in its place. Minimum weight of the vehicle must still be met as per the rules.

Request: Is replacing the factory power steering reservoir with an aluminum unit allowed in any class?

Clarification:  

The rules for all classes are clear regarding allowed modifications for steering components and do not indicate that any modifications to the fluid reservoir are allowed, including replacement.

NOTE: [See clarification 06-0027 for further info.]

Clarification:  

Steering systems are free in all Modified Classes.

Request:  

Regarding the type of MAM (Mass Air Meter) allowed in Prepared class [specifically OBDII E36 M3's - '96+], section 1.A.1. Currently, this rule allows only BMW MAMs, but elsewhere in the rules, a full change to an OBD I electronics system is allowed.

The part that should be allowed, but currently is not under this rule, is the MAM from a Porsche 996. This is visually identical to the Euro M3 HFM used on E36 M3 cars [OBDI], except for part number - and it plugs directly into the OBD II harness, which a 540 meter does not. It is also functionally identical, except for range of outputs. Currently this is the only part being used on a fully prepared IP car [OBDII], with cams, from various vendors including Turner, Eurosport/Conforti, and BimmerWorld.

Clarification:  

The stated rules in BMW CCA Club Racing rules V11.2, Prepared Classes, 1. Engine A. Intake System, 4., page 30 are clear on which MAM's are allowed specifically. This request constitutes a rules change request, not a clarification and thus the Porsche, or any other NON BMW MAM, is not allowed.

Request: In prepared class, can the oil filter housing be substituted for an after market version?

Clarification:  

The stated rules in BMW CCA Club Racing rules V11.2, Prepared Classes, 1. Engine, do not permit the use of an aftermarket oil filter housing.

Request: In stock class cars can the driver & pass side doors both be gutted and windows removed to accommodate NASCAR door bars?

Clarification:  

Gutting driver side and passenger side doors to accept NASCAR bars is not within the spirit of the rules for stock class, it is not allowed.

Request: The E36 M3 automatic cars came with 3.38 diff. Since this is the same model car and model year, can I swap my diff with the M3 automatic one?

Clarification:  

The stated rules in BMW CCA Club Racing rules V11.2, Stock Classes, 5. Differential, A., Page 26 are clear. The differential must match the transmission type for the vehicle. The 3.38 was not offered from the factory mated with a manual transmission and therefore it is not allowed.

Request: Prepared rear shocks; Is a clevis style rear shock mount legal in the prepared class versus a [stock] pin-type?

Clarification:  

No, changing the attachment/connection type of the rear shock, top or bottom, is not allowed in stock or prepared classes.

Request: Regarding stock class radiator fans: 2006 and 2007 Stock rule 1. - Engine, R. states that "[t]he mechanical (engine driven) cooling fan may be removed or replaced." 2006 and 2007 Stock rule 7. - Body/Chassis/Interior states "[t]he air conditioning condenser located in front of the radiator, the electrical fan and its protective shroud may be removed. All remaining air conditioning system parts (A/C lines, dryer, compressor, etc.) must remain in place." Question: would a replacement electrical "puller" fan on the back of the radiator be allowed?

Clarification:  

Yes, as stated the mechanical (engine driven) fan and the auxiliary fan (the electrical fan in front of the AC condenser) may be replaced. The replacement may be an aftermarket electrical switch operated puller or pusher type fan.

Request: In Spec E36, can the sunroof panel be replaced with a panel of the same material, as it can be in Prepared class?

Clarification:  

The sunroof panel must be the stock steel panel unless it was originally glass. In this case, a stock E36 steel panel must be installed and properly secured per the rules. No alternate material or replacement panel other than stock E36 is allowed.

Request: How is "the shifter mechanism" defined?

Clarification:  

The shifter mechanism is the entire shifter assembly including, but no limited to, the shift knob, shift lever, shift boot, bushings, selector rod, shift lever arm, circlips, washers, etc. It does NOT include anything that is specifically part of the transmission or the vehicle chassis.

Request: SpecE36…can passenger side NASCAR bars be installed thus requiring the door to be gutted?

Clarification:  

Yes, passenger side protection door bars are allowed to be installed. Modification or removal of window and door mechanisms, and trimming of interior door metal is allowed only when routing of door bars directly interferes. No chassis metal/unibody is allowed to be trimmed or altered to accept door protection bars. On a 4 door chassis, this is only allowed in the front doors. 

Request: In stock class, can interior parts that interfere with roll cage installation be removed?

Clarification:  

In stock class the interior is required to remain intact with a few exceptions noted in the rules. It is recognized that in some instances cage tubing will interfere with interior trim pieces. When these pieces cannot be reasonably trimmed to allow a clean installation of the cage then they may be removed. The interior with noted exceptions is required to remain intact in stock class and the intent of the rules is that cage design and installation specifically accomplish that. Routing tubes with primary objective of removing or reducing interior components is not allowed.

Request: [General Safety] If an expired FIA seat is located very near the horizontal roll cage cross member, is an additional seat back brace required?

Clarification:  

Yes, an appropriate seat back brace is still required and must be installed as defined by Safety Section 9 in the rules.

Request: [General Safety] The diagram indicates that the anchor point for the shoulder straps must maintain a 0-20 degree angle from the horizontal level of the shoulders. This spec does not appear to take into account the use of a harness bar at the shoulder level that would maintain the required angle regardless of the final anchor points... My question is would this interpretation be correct? that the anchor point is irrelevant as long as the harness passes over a permanent bar which maintains the harness between 0-20 degrees from horizontal.

Clarification:  

No. Appendix B-3 does not permit a guide bar between the seat and the final shoulder harness mounting. Further, the final mounting mount must be as close as possible to the seat not exceeding 12" at the required angle.

Request: Prepared 7.C: states "The OEM driver and passenger door(s) panels may be replaced with 0.060" aluminum or a comparable material, securely attached to the door." Are you allowed to trim/cut out some of the sheet metal structure that would lie under the replacement [door] panel?

Clarification:  

The metal door interior may only be trimmed when necessary for installation of side impact bars. Prepared class rules have never allowed the interior of doors be trimmed for the purpose of reducing weight.

Request: In Prepared Class it is clear that removal of the Sunroof mechanism and headliner is allowed. BMW has over the years changed there headliners designs, and how does it effect my car?

Example: My car '88 (7/87) e30 M3 JP. Removal of the headliner (fabric) reveals that BMW used a "false" steel roof for the sunroof to slide in and out of during operation. This cassette (BMW's official name) is bonded to the actual roof. Question: Is removal of this cassette when removing the sunroof mechanism (ie sunroof, wiring, and sunroof motor) allowed.

Clarification:  

Yes, the cassette is part of the sunroof assembly and may be removed in prepared class. Removal of the cassette must not include trimming of other roof supporting structure or chassis metal/unibody.

Request: [Prepared] Can an e36 prepared class car use the aluminum front control arms from another model i.e. an e30 m3?

Clarification:  

As is stated in the technical safety bulletins on the CR website, E30 and E36 cars are recommended to use the aluminum E30 M3 control arms. Control arm swapping on chassis models other than stated is not allowed. SE36 class may ONLY use stock control arms.

Request: [Modified] Page 37, Letter M states: Underbody aerodynamic aids, other than those stock to the model and chassis, are not permitted between the front and rear axles.  Is this referring to Modified class cars? And allowable in Super Modified? Or is it actually illegal under any circumstance to use aerodynamic aids under the car between the axles?

Clarification:  

The limits listed in Modified Class rule 10-M (underbody aerodynamics) are applicable to the Modified Class. If a car exceeds this level of underbody preparation it is classed as Super Modified. Please see second paragraph of "Modified and Super Modified Classes" preamble for more information.

Request: Can a stock BMW water pump be replaced with an aftermarket pump that pumps at a different flow rate than a stock BMW pump. I believe in Modified the pump can be replaced since engine internals are free.

Clarification:  

Yes, aftermarket increased flow/efficiency water pumps of the same design type as stock are allowed. The factory stock pulley must be retained and no internal engine changes are allowed to accommodate any pump, factory or otherwise, in Stock and Prepared classes.

Request: Prepared class: [Part I] Components that are allowed to be removed (radio, speakers, HVAC, etc) leave wiring behind, can this be removed?

[Part II] Can unused wiring be removed?

Clarification:  

In Stock and Prepared classes wiring to an allowed removable component may be removed only if it can be done so at a factory harness connector. For example, the cruise control harness in an E30 may be removed in prepared. Removal of wiring by cutting, splicing, pulling pins, modifying chassis splices, or otherwise stripping of the harness or connectors may not be done. Electrical relays and fuses may be removed when the served component is allowed to be removed. In the interest of safety the rules do not intend for the electrical harness to be modified.

Request: [Prepared Class] Suspension item E. external [remote]reservoir shocks. Are shocks with attached reservoir acceptable?

Clarification:  

No, shock internals must be completely contained within the body of the shock. An external canister that is attached is still external/remote and not allowed.

Request: Stock class, E36 M3; Is the X brace allowed for this class?

Clarification:  

No, this part is not an original piece on any E36 vehicle as delivered from the factory with exception to the LTW model.

Request: Are delrin bushings considered "solid"?

Clarification:  

Yes.

Request: [Stock] I read the rules to allow replacement of the driver door panel (which I have carved up to allow closing the door on the cage door bars) with aluminum panels. Am I allowed to replace the passenger door panel as well?

Clarification:  

Quoting stock class interior rules:

"Interiors, with the exception of rear seats and the panels affected by the installation of the roll cage, must be intact….."

In stock class, door panels may not be replaced with aluminum (or any other material) panels. If it is required, it may be removed. However, please see clarification #06-1037 for further explanation.