Post Impound Reports - 2021 Road America - The National Championship

 4/17/2021
Saturday: 8-Hour
Event Directors: Chelsey Vickery / Dana Morrison
Tech Chief: Ray Franck

Car 108

Protest Details:

The filed protest alleged the 108 car ran a coil on plug assemble from the 3.5L Nissan engine, not the 3.0L engine claimed in the vehicle’s swap form. Rule 4.3.2 specifies that “Ignition coil(s), aftermarket” are assessed a value of 10 points.

Tech Inspector / Event Director Final Findings:

ChampCar searched a variety of online auto part vendors by cross-referencing the part numbers on the coils and comparing them to coils recommended for 3.0L Nissan engine. ChampCar determined that replacement parts vendors list the same coils as direct stock replacements for the 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5L Nissan engine.

ChampCar, per rule 5.5.2.2, determined the protest to be invalid. Car 108 retained its’ first-place finish.

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4/18/2021

Sunday: 7-Hour
Event Directors: Chelsey Vickery / Dana Morrison
Tech Chief: Ray Franck

Car 108

Protest Details:

ChampCar received multiple protests alleging the 108 car had a fuel cell capacity in violation of rule 9.10.2.6, exceeding the limit plus or minus two (2) gallons of the stock capacity for make/model of car.

Tech Inspector / Event Director Final Findings:

The 108 car is registered as a 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse. ChampCar determined the highest listed capacity for that model as 16.9 gallons.

ChampCar directed the team to disconnect the fuel lines at the point where the lines exited the fuel cell and use the vehicle’s pump to drain the fuel cell. Using the team’s own fuel jugs filled to the 4-gallon mark the fuel cell was refilled. ChampCar directed the team to remove the filler tube from the top of the fuel cell so the exact fuel level was clearly visible. The fuel cell received slightly over 20 gallons before the fuel level reached the top of the fuel cell lid.

ChampCar deemed the protest as valid under rule 5.5.2.1. As 9.10.2.6 specifically limits capacity to 2-gallons over the stock limit, ChampCar applied rule 5.5.2.1.2 and disqualified car 108 from its first- place finish and its eligibility for the 2020 National Championship.