Locking Gas Cap - Inside Car Shows

[tcollins]

I have my car loaded in the trailer and heading to Detroit Autorama car show now. I just read in the move in instructions that I need a locking gas cap! Does anyone know if the cap that come with the kit qualifies for that? If no, is it possible to buy a cap that fits in the receiver? I don't even know what brand the FFR flush mount cap is. I see Summit Racing has something that looks like our cap that comes with keys (HardDrive Products 820-2311) but there limited details and I have no idea if this would be a drop in replacement?

Any help from other that have exhibited at inside car shows would be appreciated, thanks!

81830

[TDSapp]

When they come to inspect your car on arrival just keep the trunk closed. When they ask where the gas cap is tell them it is locked in the trunk. :-)

[Arrowhead]

My hot rod was at Detroit in 2011 and the gas cap is on top of the deck and no issues. I agree though, if it's in the trunk that should qualify as "locked". Besides I don't think "locked" means with a key, it means it is a secure cap with a twist. That rule is probably aimed at the rat rod crowd downstairs that might have questionable fuel containment systems. Besides, I don't they would require 100 point restorations with vintage gas caps to replace them them a $10.99 locking cap from Autozone. I wouldn't give it a second thought.

[edwardb]

The Detroit Autorama show is part of the ISCA (International Show Car Association) where all the rules, classes, etc. are established. For this specific point, the 2018 rules say:

"30. All entries must have drip pans or non-absorbent floor coverings and must comply with fire regulations including disconnecting battery cables and locking or taping gas caps."

For this specific point, if the gas cap doesn't have an actual lock, then taping is an acceptable alternative and would seem an easy solution that follows the rules. I've displayed Roadsters at the Detroit Autorama three times. In each case, I had a locking cap under the usual LeMans gas cap. But I was never questioned about the caps or did it ever come up in any judging. I never had to prove the cap was locked. Maybe the latching LeMans cap was good enough. When I was there with my first Roadster, a Mk3 with the battery in the stock location in the trunk, I received a negative comment about the battery not being disconnected. I pointed out the master disconnect was switched off. But that wasn't good enough. The rule does specifically say "disconnecting battery cables." The drip pan comment is interesting. I've never used one or even seen one at the show for that matter. But the Detroit Autorama is very firm, as I suspect most are, that there has to be floor covering as part of the display. Most use carpet. When I displayed last year I used RaceDeck. Just has to cover the concrete floor. I guess that satisfies the rule. In the handouts for exhibitors, they also said gas tanks should be 1/4 or less full. I tried to follow that guideline, but again was never checked. I don't see that in the actual ISCA rules. I suspect each venue may have their own local regulations.

[tcollins]

Thanks for the feedback fellas! All moved in without issue, nobody inspected or said anything...yet. I'm guessing these rules are primarily stated to covered local fire codes and not strictly enforced? Especially given that most exhibitors have very expensive and cherished show cars and would the first to address any leaking fluids, especially fuel. The dudes in the basement are probably the exception...although rad rods seem to be fairly expensive these days!