Tow hooks and fire systems

[FFRSpec72]

What are folks doing for tow hooks ? Anyone thinking about fire system and where to mount ?

[2FAST4U]

Toe hooks? I think you mean "tow" hooks

[mrmustang]

What are folks doing for toe hooks ? Anyone thinking about fire system and where to mount ?
AFF fire systems (Coldfire or equivalent) for an open cockpit car like the roadster and 818....


Mounting would depend if you purchase a 2,3, or 4 nozzle set up.


Bill S.

[Sgt.Gator]

I have used tow straps on two race cars, and will probably use them on my 818R. Easier to mount and don't smash your shin when you walk around the car. I get mine from I/O Port, but they are widely available at most all racing supply vendors.

For fire systems be sure to check the minimum rules for your sanctioning body/class first.

I will probably go 4 nozzles, AFF 4.6 liter.
1. On Driver
2. On top of Engine
3. On top of Fuel Cell
4. Low, pointing back from firewall to cover both fuel cell and engine spills on the ground.

There's an FAQ on Fire Systems here: http://www.ioportracing.com/faq/fire.htm

[StatGSR]

i would second a tow strap(s), i just picked up the sparco one for my integra.

http://www.amazon.com/Sparco-01612RS-Red-Tow-Strap/dp/B00BG423YA

[FFRSpec72]

I guess my main point was for the front there is really not a very good place to attach a hook/strap, the rear is also somewhat problematic with the transaxle there but more hope there then in the front as there is a rear bar but not sure that will be strong enough. I'm not a convert to AFF yet, as I'm still on Halon for open cockpit cars.

[Rasmus]

We had a bit of a discussion regarding tow hooks and the 818R (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?12549-818-R-Tow-Hooks) a while back. Good ideas in there, but on the R we read the SCCA rules and:

SCCA - General Competition Rules:

9.3.48. TOWING EYES
All cars without an exposed roll bar shall have a towing eye or strap, front and rear that does not dangerously protrude from the bodywork when the car is racing, to be used for flat towing or hauling the vehicle.

[FFRSpec72]

We had a bit of a discussion regarding tow hooks and the 818R (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?12549-818-R-Tow-Hooks) a while back. Good ideas in there, but on the R we read the SCCA rules and:

The R cage is not situated well for towing, it's much like the Cobra, the formula or Sport Racers are better towed and picked up from the roll cage, this is not a car for that.

[Canadian818]

I was planning a extinguisher mounted to the crossbar infront of the passenger seat, under their legs. Don't know how I feel about a full system on a street car, would be worried about someone engaging it. As for tow hooks, either protruding slightly from both bumpers or strait up, one at the back of the hood by the windshield and another slightly behind the wing mounts.

[SixStar]

Yep, easy for most tracks, they can just pull you on the bar.

[Bill Waters]

FFRspec72 - I can see why you would say that the formula and sports racer cars are better candidates for being towed and/or lifted by the roll bar than a challenge car or an 818R. But in the latter case, the roll bar and cage are constructed so as to be extremely stout; It strikes me that the entire car could be lifted and certainly easily towed by the roll bar/cage (I have an 818R). But, with your involvement and experience in the Challenge series, I would be interested in why you say otherwise.

I agree with others as outlined above: there is no optimal place on either end of the car to attach a strap or hook. On the R, like the S, the front is all 3/4 and 1" square tubing configured as a crush zone/ radiator mount, while the rear is the tail of the transmission mount. (A concern amongst several thoughtful posters here has been that it is in fact the tail of the transmission that protrudes beyond the frame and would be the first thing to suffer in a rear-end impact.)

Am interested in your thoughts; thanks,

Bill

[FFRSpec72]

So originally the Challenge car did not have any tow hooks like the 818. So many of us relied on the cage to wrap a tow strap around the top, some case this worked but most did not as the leverage on the roll cage was not well suited for when you had to tow the car from the font and the front had damage, same for rear. If the car was stuck the roll cage is at a high enough position that the roll cage does not provide the proper leverage to get the car out (as it has a tendency to dig the rear or front in even further). So we now have a front tow hook and a rear tow hook and they work just fine. The front tow hook actually attaches to the front X frame and comes out the hood, the rear attaches to the fuel cell cage frame (1.5" tube frame).

I'm not confident that the cage is going to work, so I will be looking for other alternatives

[Scargo]

The R cage is not situated well for towing, it's much like the Cobra, the formula or Sport Racers are better towed and picked up from the roll cage, this is not a car for that.
Please explain. It's integrated into the frame. Not that I'm that experienced in racing and being towed. Why is it not in the sports racer category?

I have this for my R: OMP AFFF Fire System, 2.8L End Valve Bottle - Electric. Five nozzles.
I don't think I'm using no stinkin toad hooks.

[Bill Waters]

I certainly see the leverage issues you raise; I think everyone's concern is going to be what the alternative to a cage attachment points on the 818R for the reason I and others have outlined.

Does anyone know what the NASA/SCCA rules say about the length of tow straps (as when we would attach them to the more substantial aspects of the frame and then affix them to the underside of the car or snake them through the body/internal parts?

Bill

[FFRSpec72]

Please explain. It's integrated into the frame. Not that I'm that experienced in racing and being towed. Why is it not in the sports racer category

So the Challenge car is not well balanced at the roll bar so it does not pick up very evenly , most of the formula and sports racers are well balance and will come in on a tow hook in the air. The frame is strong enough, I'm not sure that the roll bar on the R is at the right balance point, the roll bar may be OK for towing if you are out of gas, engine problem etc. but I would be worried about front/rear damage and trying to find a place to pick it up from.

This also brings in the issue of tie down points on the front of the 818, not sure where I would add these either as on mu challenge car I added them to the end of the 4" main tubes

[Scargo]

Never mind. I was caught in-between post 11 and mine so I didn't see it.