Rules & Regulations1) A Simple Explanation of the National Unsupercharged Formula April 1947
2) 500 Owners Association Race Series Regulations 2013
3) 500 Owners Association Hills & Sprints Regulations 2013
4) Historic F3 500 cc Cars Eligibility and Originality Standards
Historic F3 500 cc Cars Eligibility and Originality Standards
Principles
The 500 Owners Association actively encourages high standards of originality
in the restoration and use of cars built to the 500cc Formula between
January 1947 and December 1960, so that cars are raced to true period
specification and fair competition is maintained between cars from similar
times in the 14 year lifespan of the Formula. There is a particular concern
to protect cars of historic significance. Historic competition is a
discipline in which one of the essential ingredients is a devotion to the
cars and their history.
The Registration scheme aims to discourage the construction of ineligible
cars, and the unreasonable modification of original cars. It involves a VIF
(Vehicle Identity Form) which accompanies the car, and which records
important details about the specification and history of the car as agreed
by the Committee at the time of Registration. Subsequent changes to the
specification will require re-registration. Departures from the Standards
shall be declared and endorsed by the Committee. Cars which are the subject
of major rebuild may be subject to inspection and documented history of the
car must be provided. The VIF is important to event organisers and potential
purchasers as conformation of authenticity.
The Standards
1.1 Chassis frame shall be to original design and dimensions but may employ
local stiffening. New stressed members must not be added unless a period
specification. The points to which suspension elements are attached must not
differ from period specification. Identification marks must not be removed.
1.2 Suspension shall be as originally constructed. Adjustability and Rose
type joints are not permitted unless there is clear evidence of use on the
individual car before December 1960.
1.3 Steering shall be of original type e.g. steering box or rack and pinion.
1.4 Braking system shall be as originally constructed e.g. drum or disc of
the same size and form.
1.5. Wheels shall be as originally fitted to the car. If the original wheels
are unobtainable then another type may fitted at the discretion of the
Committee. In such cases the wheels nominated must be of period style and
the same diameter as original. An increase of rim width of up to one inch is
allowed.
1.6. Tyres shall be from the Dunlop Vintage range having 204 compound and R5
or older type tread pattern. Early cars, typically 1946-49, for which the
original wheels are not suitable for tyres specified above may use
alternatives, as approved in writing by the Committee on a specific and
individual basis.
1.7 Bodywork shall be of the original profile and of the same material,
normally aluminium. Bodies must be complete and fitted when the car is
competing. In exceptional cases alternative material may be used at the
discretion of the committee.
1.8.1 Engines shall be of the types used in cars in the period that the cars
were raced i.e. pre 31st December 1960, and should be to manufacturers
period specification. Capacity shall not exceed 500 cc. Bore and stroke
shall be to the manufacturers’ period specification.
Cylinder Heads shall be to period specification, except that period Twin
Spark Plug and Robin Jackson conversions may be used, and it is permitted to
remove material only to adjust compression ratio and blend ports.
Crankshafts, con-rods, pistons and bearings may be of different dimensions
to period specification within the limits of the crankcase, provided the
same material type is retained.
It is permitted to update engines by incorporating modifications provided
these are of a type proven to have been employed before 31st December 1960.
In these cases, the designated year of manufacture of the engine shall be
the year of manufacture of the latest modification.
1.8.2 Replica and Factory Engines Produced Post Period listed below may be
used:
1.8.2.1 Summerfield “Standard Specification” Manx Norton of 86 and 86mm bore
and stroke [Note the Summerfield “Higher Performance” 86 and 92 mm bore
engines are not permitted].
1.8.2.2 C & R Engines Ltd Manx Norton of 79.6 x100mm bore and stroke.
1.8.2.3 Molnar “Standard Specification” Manx Norton of 86mm x 86mm bore and
stroke.
[See Appendix A for complete specifications.]
Except for crankshafts, con-rods, pistons and bearings, components of
Replica and Factory Engines produced post period, shall be interchangeable
with those of the Original engines on which they are based.
1.9 Fuel System: Alternative carburettors from the same or earlier period
may be used but only if the alternatives are of the same number and general
type as those originally fitted.
Maximum carburettor choke diameter shall be: single carburettor - 35mm, twin
carburettor - 30mm. Fuel injection: may be used on an individual car that
used it in the period and only the original system may be used.
Fuel tanks: shall be contained within the body profile, unless the tanks
were external before 31st December 1960.
1.10 Exhaust system: Exhaust pipes shall be of constant diameter from the
cylinder head to the silencer or period specification megaphone.
1.11 Ignition system: Magneto or coil and contact breaker ignition are all
free choice. Electronic systems are not permitted.
1.12 Fuel and Fuel Additives: Only pump fuel or methanol may he used. When
using methanol, the addition of 10% by volume of Acetone is allowed.
1.13 The gearbox: shall be those used in cars in the period the cars were
raced. The number of ratios shall be as the original, but the ratios
themselves are of free choice.
1.14 Clutches: shall be either solid disc or cork insert friction plate
design of a type used before 31st December 1960 .
1.15 Transmission: The original method and style of transmitting power from
engine to gearbox and from gearbox to axle shall be retained, ie toothed
belt drives are not allowed.
1.16 Supercharging: is not allowed.
1.17 Safety: Modifications for safety reasons are permitted at the
discretion of the Eligibility Committee.
1.18 Carbon Fibre, Kevlar and Titanium are not permitted in any part of the
car or its engine.
2.0 Departures from specification Dispensations are given for certain
non-compliances from period specification which have been accepted practice
in competition.
2.1 Cars, fitted with JAP 84s engines, and or Amal Mk1 concentric
carburettors, may compete in Hillclimb and Sprint events only, no circuit
competition use is acceptable.
3.0 Registration: To be eligible for competition, cars shall be registered
with the Association Committee and be in receipt of a Vehicle Identification
Document (VIF).
Cars shall be in categories according to the level of historical
documentation provided with the application. These categories are;
Cat A - Pre 1961 with complete history.
Cat B - Pre 1961 with incomplete history.
Cat C - Pre 1961 with no history
Cat D - In the spirit of the Association ideals and the Standards, for use
as approved by the Committee, on an individual basis.
Sub sections of these categories, indicated by suffix -1, denote that cars
comply with the Standards but deviate from as
originally constructed. Such deviations will be recorded on the VIF.
4.0 A guide to originality is given in Appendix B. Cars are divided into 3
groups reflecting milestones in development in the period. Components are
similarly classified indicating which components are appropriate for which
car. It is not mandatory to conform exactly, but is encouraged in the
interests of originality.
5.0 General. The onus is on the owner to ensure that his car complies in
every respect with the regulations. Cars must comply with the relevant M.S.A.
regulations. Owners are reminded of the importance of good presentation.
Engines leaking oil and body work in poor condition reflect badly on the 500
Owners Association and Historic Racing in general.
All matters concerning compliance with these regulations shall be first
referred to the Association Committee, in writing, for a ruling to be made.
The Association Committee shall have full and final say in declaration of
the result of any dispute.
6.0 Not withstanding the above, cars deemed not to be in the spirit of the 500 Owners Association may have the registration withdrawn by the Association Committee.
1. Summerfield
Standard Specification “Short Stroke” Manx Norton
Bore
86mm Stroke 85.6 mm Combustion chamber - Hemispherical. Inlet valve 1.92 inch dia. Exhaust
valve 1.72 inch dia. Valve angle 64 degrees included angle Inlet cam 15822
2. C
& R Engines Ltd “Long Stroke” Manx Norton.
Bore
79.6mm Stroke 100mm Combustion chamber Hemispherical Inlet valve 1.915 inch dia Exhaust
valve 1.735 inch dia Valve angle 77 degrees included angle Inlet cam M59
3. Molnar
Standard Specification “Short Stroke” Manx Norton
Bore
86mm Stroke 85.8mm Combustion chamber - Hemispherical. Inlet valve 1.92 inch dia. Exhaust
valve 1.72 inch dia. Valve angle 64 degrees included angle Inlet cam 15822
Appendix B Guide to Originality
Production Cars/ Year/Group
Cooper
Mk 1, 1947,1
Engines Norton
International S/C Pre-Featherbed 79x100 1947-52 1-3 Gearboxes Norton
Upright (Dolls Head & ES2) 1947-52 1-3 Ignition BTH
Magneto (Dirt Track) 1947-60 1-3
Carburettors Amal
127/128 Track (Needle less) 1947-60 1-3
1. Title
The name of the club shall be “The
500 Owners Association Ltd.” hereafter referred to as the club.
2. Objects
i) To further the interests of people
owning 500cc cars and 500cc type cars with engines of other capacities.
ii) To provide members with technical
advice and help.
iii) To promote the uses of 500cc cars in hill climbs and other events.
iv) To provide assistance to people
interested in 500cc cars.
3. Membership
Man
and women over 16 years of age shall be eligible for membership.
4. Management
The
authority and responsibility for the transaction of the business of the club shall be the
committee.
5. Election
of Officers
The
Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Secretary and other elected members of the
committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. The committee shall have the
power to co-opt other members.
6. Committee
The
committee should not consist of less than four members. Three members of the committee
shall form a quorum.
7. Meeting
of the Committee
The
committee shall meet whenever summoned by the secretary but in any case no less than twice
a year.
8. Duties
of the Secretary
The
Secretary shall attend in person or by deputy at all meetings of the club and keep a
proper record of all such meetings.
9. Banking
The
Treasurer shall bank all monies of the club in the name of the club and no disbursements
shall be made there from except in accordance with the form or forms authorised by the
committee.
10. Election of Members
Membership
of the club shall be open to all those interested in 500cc and 500cc type cars but will be
subject to the discretion of the committee. Membership of the club will only be for the
period of the current subscription.
11. Subscription
The
subscription will be revised at each Annual general Meeting and put to an open vote. Club
badges and other regalia items sold to members at prices laid down by the committee.
12. Payment of subscriptions
Subscriptions
become payable on 1st January of each year.
13. Non payment of subscriptions
Any
members of the club who has not paid his subscription within four clear months of the date
on which it was due shall be notified by the Secretary or Treasurer and one months later
any member who has failed to pay his subscription may, unless sufficient reason be shown
to the Committee, be taken off the Register of Members forthwith.
14. New Members
No
new member shall be entitled to any privileges of membership until after payment of his
first subscription.
15. Resignation
Any
member ceasing, voluntarily or otherwise to be a member shall thereafter cease to have any
claim upon the property of the club or to enjoy any of the privileges of membership but he
or she shall remain liable for the payment of any debts due to the club from him or her.
16.
Honorary Members
The
committee may elect as honorary members any persons who have been distinguished in
promoting the cause of motoring in general and of 500cc cars in particular.
17. Expulsion of members
The
committee may expel a members from the club if they, by a 2,3 majority deem it.
18.
Annual General Meeting
The
annual General Meeting of the club shall be held in the month of November, December or
January each year and shall:
i) Receive from the committee a
statement of accounts.
ii) Receive from the committee a
report of the club’s activities.
iii) Elect the committee and
Officers.
iv) Decide on any resolution
submitted to the meeting.
19. Special General Meeting
A
special General Meeting may be convened by the discretion of the committee on the request
of the Secretary. Twelve members shall form a quorum at such a meeting.
20. Voting
All
members of the club shall have one vote.
21. Alteration of Rules
Any
alteration may be made to these rules by the committee and will then be presented to the
next Annual General Meeting for ratification.
22. Events
All
motor competitions promoted by the club shall be held under the general competition rules
of the MSA and in accordance with any requirements of the MSA.
Any
member convicted of an offence arising out of his being in charge of a motor vehicle in
any club event or club business shall be liable to expulsion from the club under Rule 17.
23. Dissolution
The
club may be dissolved by a Special General
Meeting convened by direction of the committee or on the requisition of the majority of
members. If the club is dissolved, the committee will liquidate the affairs of the club
and dispose of any surplus assets at their discretion.
24. Awards
All
awards given by the club as challenge trophies shall remain the property of the club and
shall be returned to the club upon demand of the Secretary.
25.
Eligibility for Awards
Any
awards given by the club will be to club members driving cars that comply with current
eligibility rules.