Venting, so to speak: of gas tanks.

"Nick Has an Exocet" (nickallain) 03/28/2019 at 00:45 • Filed to: Exocet

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I was about to finally get to the Exocet’s gas tank vent when I realized my gas fountain the other day ate some of the paint of the frame so instead I sanded and repainted that bit. Man, do I feel like a genius for using hammered copper rustoleum. You can add as many touchups as you want and can’t tell the difference. Now I’m hanging out and listening to random people covering “The Rainbow Connection” on Youtube.

And probably the cutest / weirdest one of all:

Never mind, THIS is the weirdest:

Wait, that’s not it. Here it is:

Bonus Ska Cover:

And Double Bonus Double Ska/Skanktastic Cover (actually one of my favorites):

And a rock version for people who must:

And the most legendary version (Willie Nelson):

And the classic with Blondie that will light up your soul:

If you’re bored (like me), here’s the story of the song:

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Nick Has an Exocet 03/28/2019 at 10:17

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Have you considered upgrading to a fuel cell before diving too deep into the OEM miata tank?

Nick Has an Exocet > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 03/28/2019 at 12:11

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Thought about it, yes. However, with my recent job loss, I'll be sticking with what I have for a bit (more time than money).

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Nick Has an Exocet 03/28/2019 at 12:23

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That certainly makes sense in the situation. They’re not cheap. I’d love to put one in my racecar, but that’s money I just don’t have right now. I’d be able to drop some weight, as I currently have finish a race with not much less than 1/2 tank of fuel to avoid fuel starvation in certain higher speed, long duration right hand corners. I would also be able to play with the location a bit under the SCCA IT rules, so I could push that chunk of weight in a more desired direction (in my case, further back and to the right) .

Nick Has an Exocet > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 03/28/2019 at 12:51

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Have you thought about putting in a hydramat instead? I’ve been thinking about that instead.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Nick Has an Exocet 03/28/2019 at 13:13

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I didn’t know about those, but that’s an interesting idea. I like the concept, but I don’t think they’d work for the class and sanctioning body my car is built to play with.

They’re also not addressed in the rules, which means they’re not allowed. The IT class philosophy follows the lines that if something is not specifically mentioned, then it is not allowed. It isn’t as strict as a spec class (for example, a Spec Miata must use Mazda speed engine mount part number whatever), but if modifications to engine mounts aren’t mentioned as an allowed modificant then OEM-equivalent parts are the requirement to complete the analogy. I don’t recall any provisions allowing for modification of the OEM tank when it used.

I like the idea, but I  expect it would have a very low chance of being adopted in the rules. I suspect the Club Racing Board would look at it as inviting tampering with the OEM tank and pickup system without offering the safety advantages of an actual fuel cell. Generally speaking, folks at this level never have fuel starvation problems with fuel cells, so that is the upgrade path taken. My car is not built to the limit of the rules in most regards, nor would I do so with it. I’d pick a better and cheaper to run car before I built mine out to the limits.