How To Write a Rule

[JIgou]

That one is copy-pasted from Rallycross rules. Wouldn't surprise me if Solo ST was the template.

[ShelbyRacer]

Ah yes, RallyCross. I didn't think it was quite a Solo style.

If the class from which this is pulled is intended to be a street class, then the retention of operational emissions equipment is understandable. Also, given RallyCross' roots in Rally, remember that Rally cars must be street-legal (inspected and registered) for purposes of transits. I'm not certain if that philosophy has held over into RallyCross, but it wouldn't surprise me if it did...

[JIgou]

1. I can replace the exhaust from the head back. Materials are "any material". I pick a straight pipe with a small muffler.

Next up, I have to pay attention to a, b and c.

a. Exit behind the driver. No problem.

b. Comply with noise. No problem.

c.......
1. Any high flow cat is allowed.
2. Multiple cats may be replaced by a single cat, and the location of that single cat is specified.
3. If it didn't come with one, I don't have to have one.

Bolding is mine. I don't see anything in there that says I need to keep a cat. I'm ALLOWED to have a high-flow cat - no requirements there. I'm ALLOWED to replace two factory cats with one, and if I do that I'm restricted on its location. Only requirement is location. If the car didn't come with one, I don't need to add one. Again, no requirements.

It may very well be the intent that a cat is required, but I would have NO problem showing up with no cat and pointing at this rule in support of that.

[JIgou]

Oh, and to add - this is RallyCross "Prepared" class.

[Andy Bettencourt]

1. I can replace the exhaust from the head back. Materials are "any material". I pick a straight pipe with a small muffler.

Next up, I have to pay attention to a, b and c.

a. Exit behind the driver. No problem.

b. Comply with noise. No problem.

c.......
1. Any high flow cat is allowed.
2. Multiple cats may be replaced by a single cat, and the location of that single cat is specified.
3. If it didn't come with one, I don't have to have one.

Bolding is mine. I don't see anything in there that says I need to keep a cat. I'm ALLOWED to have a high-flow cat - no requirements there. I'm ALLOWED to replace two factory cats with one, and if I do that I'm restricted on its location. Only requirement is location. If the car didn't come with one, I don't need to add one. Again, no requirements.

It may very well be the intent that a cat is required, but I would have NO problem showing up with no cat and pointing at this rule in support of that.

The key piece is #3. It specifies when you can NOT have one.

[ShelbyRacer]

The key piece is #3. It specifies when you can NOT have one.

Agreed, as that was my key issue.

But Jarrod, I'd agree that the rule could be much more clear. In the end, you could show up without one, and you could use that rule as a point of issue. But I also think if it came down to it, you'd lose in an official sense.

[JIgou]

Agreed, as that was my key issue.

But Jarrod, I'd agree that the rule could be much more clear. In the end, you could show up without one, and you could use that rule as a point of issue. But I also think if it came down to it, you'd lose in an official sense.

It could be a losing proposition. I've got no dog in the hunt as I'm not and don't plan on competing in rx world any time soon, but after a competitor pointed it out to me, I thought the rule was ripe for this thread as an example of what not to do.

I still maintain:

Telling me I can replace the exhaust with "any material" kicks open the door. My straightpipe with a Supertrapp for sound meets this perfectly.

The third part - "Vehicles not equipped with a catalytic converter as original equipment are not required to have one." - doesn't apply to me - my car came with one from the factory.

The other two allowances - the high flow cat and the "use one cat where there were two" allowance don't apply to me either - I've elected not to use one with my "any material" exhaust.

IIDSYCYC, correct.....but Roffe it up and I bloody well can, IMHO.

But that's enough - I'll close in saying that this is a PRIME example of what NOT to do when writing a rule.

[jumbojimbo]

Here is one of my favorites from the ITCS.

1. why are some pieces of this directly in the D. section and others split out into bullets 1, 2, and 3?

2. how are 1,2 and 3 sub-subjects of section d at all? they are sort of related to emissions but not related to the first line of d.

3. Bullets 2 and 3 are not completely inclusive of all situations. where does a vehicle fit which is not registered for the street but does not have polution control removed? Not covered by 2 and not covered by 3, so what kind of fuel is permitted/required? edit: the lesson is to avoid negative logic, especially when using "and".

4. Does bullet 3 remove the limits of bullet 2? IE, since my car is registered for the street (bullet 3) does that mean i can use pump gas meeting the workshop manual octane rating and I'm exempt from rule 9.3 Fuel?

d. Exhaust emission control air pumps, associated lines, nozzles, and electrical/mechanical EGR devices may be removed. If such items are not removed, they shall not be modified in any way. If EGR devices/nozzles are removed from a cylinder head or manifold, any holes remaining shall be completely plugged. Water to an intake manifold may be blocked or removed as part of the emission system.

1. If fitted, catalytic converter(s) may be removed.

2. Those vehicles which have emission control devices removed and which are not registered and licensed for street operation may use any gasoline meeting the requirements of GCR Section 9.3 Fuel.

3. Those vehicles registered and licensed for street use shall use the fuel specified by the workshop/owner’s manual.