Welding doors and tailgate / shaving

[pzablocki]

I am building a 1993 Golf 1.8 8V to run street prepared. I would like to know the Official ruling on welding my doors and tailgate shut for body structure improvement. I Will be running Solo2 and solo 1 events.

Most of the points I am planning on taking are for everything .but engine modifications.

This vehicle is going to be a class project. We are removing the complete interior, excess wiring harnesses.

The rules say that the vehicle must be able to self start on the course. Do we need an alternator? A fully charged battery will run a vehicle for over 1/2 hour and still self start.

Do we need to have working brake lights,taillights, headlights?

We were planning on leaving the 3rd brake light in the spoiler in tact.

We want to shave all of the door handles/ locks etc for looks.

I ran a fast Mazda RX3 4dr sedan in the early 80's while Jud Buchannan had his Monza Monzter.

Sadly I traded my Mazda for an Ozbourne computer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. We have a budget of $0.00. We are looking for sponsors and technical know how help as well.

Paul Zablocki
Georgetown District High School
Auto / Small Engines Instructor
Georgetown, Ontario, Canada

[Pete@Marcor]

Wow. I actually attended GDHS my last year of high school. (Bit of history with Acton's female principal - I had to transfer. :-( )

I have a bit of tech knowledge in regards to VWs, and can offer you as much help as I can.

However, I would suggest that if you are trying to keep the budget down, you should try to avoid SP. Cars in SP tend to have some serious power, and it may be hard to compete against them with a limited budget. SS may be a better choice.

PM me if you would like to talk. I might even be able to source some used performance parts for you.

[Wedge]

You will need to leave the alternator in place. Removing it would count as an engine modification, which you would have to claim 4 points for.
All the headlight/tailights etc mus be in place (unless you claim points for removing them). But I do not know if they need to be functional or not...

Shaving the handles strictly for appearance, I would imagine that would be allowed.

Welding the doors shut would probably be allowed in SP and considered as "chassis stiffening". But you'll want to read through all the safety rules. I haven't looked myself, but it may require that the doors be able to open so the driver can get out quickly in case of an emergency.