'08 GCR

[spnkzss]

When people build new cars over the winter, when can they expect to see the new GCR so they know their new car is legal?

[JohnRW]

Cage rules change with glacial speed (just ask the 'magic fairy-dust cage' Prod guys). If you haven't seen any chatter about proposed changes in Fastrack for a year or so (and AFAIK there has been none lately), then nothing is changing.

Expect the 2008 GCR in late Dec. or early January.

[JamesB]

Just knowing what it takes to get hard copy out the door on time, and going based of last year I expect late November for the PDF version to come out.

[Greg Amy]

You don't need the new GCR to know the rules...

All GCR changes must go through the process, and that process is presented to the membership via Fastrack, which are published monthly. And, instead of thrashing through all those Fastracks, SCCA also publishes a Master Technical Bulletin, which summarizes all changes made during the year:

http://www.scca.com/documents/Club%20Rules...echBulletin.pdf

So, you take last year's GCR, review the above tech bulletin for any changes, plus any Fastracks subsequent to the date on that tech bulletin, and you already know what's going to be in the new GCR...

Or, you could wait for your GCR. Then go through all the Fastracks that have been published since the GCR was published. - GA

[spnkzss]

You don't need the new GCR to know the rules...

All GCR changes must go through the process, and that process is presented to the membership via Fastrack, which are published monthly. And, instead of thrashing through all those Fastracks, SCCA also publishes a Master Technical Bulletin, which summarizes all changes made during the year:

http://www.scca.com/documents/Club%20Rules...echBulletin.pdf

So, you take last year's GCR, review the above tech bulletin for any changes, plus any Fastracks subsequent to the date on that tech bulletin, and you already know what's going to be in the new GCR...

Or, you could wait for your GCR. Then go through all the Fastracks that have been published since the GCR was published. - GA
[/b]

I did not know that existed, so thank you, but I thought there was a bunch of Cage rule changes (which I'll go find in teh fastrack) that aren't in there. I also thought the Civic DX got moved to ITB for 2008? Is there a reason that isn't in the MasterTechBulletin? Or am I just blind?

I guess my point is accuracy. Is that the way to go, or is the best way to sit down with last years GCR and all Fasttracks for this year?

[JoshS]

I did not know that existed, so thank you, but I thought there was a bunch of Cage rule changes (which I'll go find in teh fastrack) that aren't in there. I also thought the Civic DX got moved to ITB for 2008? Is there a reason that isn't in the MasterTechBulletin? Or am I just blind?

I guess my point is accuracy. Is that the way to go, or is the best way to sit down with last years GCR and all Fasttracks for this year?
[/b]

The final version of the cage rule changes, as approved by the BOD, starts at the bottom of page 17 of the October Fastrack (just issued 7 days ago).

http://www.scca.com/documents/Fastra...strack-oct.pdf

[Greg Amy]

You've got to look through that tech bulletin to ensure that is has the last Fastrack covered. It, for example, may say "October 07" but it may only include changes up through, say, August. Then you need to use the Fastracks published after that for completeness.

IIRC, the cage rules and the DX move were in the latest Fastrack, October. I really doubt they're in the latest Master Tech Bulletin.

Also remember that just 'cause the GCR is published, it don't mean it's got all the rules in it for that year. The 2007 GCR, for example, was published in November 2006 (as James pointed out) yet there were Fastrack rules published after that that applied to 2007. Yeah, it's a PITA, but you have to keep up with all the changes. Were I a motivated man I'd red-ink in all the Fastrack changes in my GCR copy (or at least red-ink a reference to the appropriate Fastrack) but that's never happened. I keep thinkin' I should, but I don't. - GA

[JoshS]

The club does that red-ink process for you.

On the GCR download page:
http://www.scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=44
You'll find an "updated GCR" link. It's not updated with EVERY Fastrack, but it's updated a few times a year.

I always refer to this copy, not to the original one from the beginning of the year. That way, it's as close-as-possible to up-to-date, and the stuff from any more recent Fastracks is probably in my memory.

[spnkzss]

The final version of the cage rule changes, as approved by the BOD, starts at the bottom of page 17 of the October Fastrack (just issued 7 days ago).

http://www.scca.com/documents/Fastra...strack-oct.pdf
[/b]

I could have sworn that happened quite awhile ago. I guess I keep getting confused about what is proposed and what has passed.

[JoshS]

I could have sworn that happened quite awhile ago. I guess I keep getting confused about what is proposed and what has passed.
[/b]

The original proposal was published in the July Fastrack, for member comment. There were updates to the proposal over the next couple of months, and it was finally submitted to the BOD, and the notice of BOD approval, with the final text, shows up in the October Fastrack.

[lateapex911]

And......
the last BoD meeting to decide on new rules is in November, so, the Fastrack after that is pretty important. lots of stuff hangs fire waiting for that meeting.

[x-ring]

<Snipped> And, instead of thrashing through all those Fastracks, SCCA also publishes a Master Technical Bulletin, which summarizes all changes made during the year:

http://www.scca.com/documents/Club%20Rules...echBulletin.pdf

So, you take last year&#39;s GCR, review the above tech bulletin for any changes, plus any Fastracks subsequent to the date on that tech bulletin, and you already know what&#39;s going to be in the new GCR...

Or, you could wait for your GCR. Then go through all the Fastracks that have been published since the GCR was published. - GA
[/b]

As I understand it, the notes published in the Master Tech Bulletin are rules changes that are in place. In other words, if it&#39;s in the MTB, it&#39;s a rule as of the publication date (generally 10 days or so after it comes out). I like that because when reading FasTrack it&#39;s too easy to remember something that was maybe published as &#39;proposed&#39; as &#39;in effect&#39;.

The 20 or so items listed in the October FasTrack are changes that take effect on 1 November, after the Runoofs, so they&#39;re not in the MTB. As Jake noted, there will be another list later in the year.

The updated GCR comes out, usually, in April, July, and October. Remember, though, that it is just for your convenience. The paper copy GCR, as amended by the paper copy FasTrack, is the official version should any differences sneak into them.