FIA-approved rain lights required starting 1/1/2024

[CheckeredFlag]

Final stage of grief now fully realized by nearly all involved: Denial->Anger->Bargaining->Depression->Acceptance.

That being said, I did vote to oust my BoD representative and here's why:

1. The implementation of this has shined a light on the process for rule changes is flawed.
2. After the decision was made in secret without the knowledge or input from the club members affected, it was posted in Fastrack and there was no recognition of alternative viewpoints.
3. From my perspective, the CRB and BoD dug their heels in on that decision, even though plenty of us showed how flawed it was.
4. The President of SCCA Enterprises acted on his own--presumably acting on behalf of all SRF3 and FE2 owners and drivers--and went so far as to write letters to change their class rules AFTER we began objecting and pointing out the flaws.
5. My BoD representative has not shown that he recognizes any of the above; that's a problem for me.

I'm not at grief stage 5 of acceptance. I went from 1->2->3 and now back to 2.

[Steve Demeter]

so did I

[Steve Demeter]

Mike, are you saying that there are only TWO approved rain lights available in the US?

Several are shown by their seller as being FIA 2019 approved???

I know of at least 2 people that have purchased Cat Tek lights and the documentation states that they meet the 2019 FIA requirements and they have the FIA Hologram on them.

Am I missing something

[Mike B]

Mike, are you saying that there are only TWO approved rain lights available in the US?

Several are shown by their seller as being FIA 2019 approved???

I know of at least 2 people that have purchased Cat Tek lights and the documentation states that they meet the 2019 FIA requirements and they have the FIA Hologram on them.

Am I missing something

Here is the list: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/fi...74-2019_11.pdf

I was only able to find two lights from the list that would be appropriate to mount near the centerline of a formula car that are readily available in the US: Lifeline and Cartek. Next Solutions P089 rain light looks appropriate but I can't find a retailer for it. Maybe your google skills are better than mine so please post here if you find something.

[DaveW]

Here is the list: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/fi...74-2019_11.pdf

I was only able to find two lights from the list that would put be appropriate to mount near the centerline of a formula car that are readily available in the US: Lifeline and Cartek. Next Solutions P089 rain light looks appropriate but I can't find a retailer for it. Maybe your google skills are better than mine so please post here if you find something.

Google searches indicate that Cartek has a rectangular and a round version, plus static (constant-on) and switchable flashing-static versions, IIRC. My round Cartek (Pegasus) is a switchable static-flashing unit (3 wires - flashing, static, & ground).

[2fast2stop]

I have a Trueflex LED strip light 10'' long and .375'' wide with 75 red LED bulbs mounted vertically on the fairing of my rear wing. It's brighter than the LEDs on the F1 cars and has more visible coverage from behind....

FGM

[Mike B]

I have a Trueflex LED strip light 10'' long and .375'' wide with 75 red LED bulbs mounted vertically on the fairing of my rear wing. It's brighter than the LEDs on the F1 cars and has more visible coverage from behind....

FGM

I'll bet it's much less expensive, too. Unfortunately, not legal in SCCA in 2024.

[Hardingfv32]

A 75 led Trueflex will draw 375 ma compared to a the FIA rain light draw of 700 ma. The Trueflex is not brighter than the FIA spec rain light.

Brian

[Steve Demeter]

Google searches indicate that Cartek has a rectangular and a round version, plus static (constant-on) and switchable flashing-static versions, IIRC. My round Cartek (Pegasus) is a switchable static-flashing unit (3 wires - flashing, static, & ground).

Dave, I have the same thing. How did you wire yours, flashing only, static only or both powered when you turn the switch on?

By the way that thing is beyond comprehension bright

[DaveW]

Flashing. See post 648. Link:
https://www.apexspeed.com/forums/sho...l=1#post657884

[RussMcB]

Dave, I have the same thing. How did you wire yours, flashing only, static only or both powered when you turn the switch on?

I recently installed the Cartek round FIA light and used this On-Off-On switch to have the option of solid on or flashing:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/PRF-80532

As mentioned earlier, I never considered flashing was needed, but I recently saw a flashing light on a disabled, unmoving car on Daytona banking apron, and thought it was helpful.

[John Nesbitt]

Back in October, I issued the following challenge:

Let's make this a sporting proposition. If the 1000th post (i.e. 999th reply) lands on Christmas Day (Eastern Time), I shall buy the poster an FIA rain light, including delivery in the Lower 48.

Have at it, boys!

Xmas has come and gone, and the message count never got to 1000. Therefore, I declare that we do not have a winner.


In lieu of awarding an FIA rain light, I have donated an equivalent sum to Apexspeed.


I invite my fellow Apex'ers to make a donation in support of this wonderful community.

[Steve Demeter]

If anyone would like I can add some posts

[John Nesbitt]

If anyone would like I can add some posts

https://clip.cafe/shakespeare-in-lov...-too-late-s10/

[Steve Demeter]

Lol!!!

[problemchild]

I have now received my Cartek rain light.

As expected, and like most SCCA interactions, It was an underwhelming experience.

[Mike B]

I have now received my Cartek rain light.

As expected, and like most SCCA interactions, It was an underwhelming experience.

You must've gotten it from the wrong place..

[problemchild]

For all that money, you would think they would include a wiring schematic.

[Mike B]

For all that money, you would think they would include a wiring schematic.

That's strange. All the Cartek lights I have on-hand include a one-page schematic. There wasn't one in the box?

[J Leonard]

I recently installed the Cartek round FIA light and used this On-Off-On switch to have the option of solid on or flashing:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/PRF-80532

As mentioned earlier, I never considered flashing was needed, but I recently saw a flashing light on a disabled, unmoving car on Daytona banking apron, and thought it was helpful.

I find it odd that the SCCA did not follow British MSA rules and require the light be operable in both constant and flashing. I believe MSA rules have it on constant in rain, flashing behind pace car and if disabled on track or moving well below race speed. Get out those three position switches.

[BeerBudgetRacing]

Get out those three position switches.

And now a $1000 wiring harness !

They sure made it a point to spend my money last year. Wonder why I'm missing the SuperTour this weekend?

[E1pix]

Damn, that’s really disappointing, but rumored.

Doesn’t help newbies, that’s for sure.

[DaveW]

Per the GCR, we just need an approved rain light. No mention of having to use a specific flashing/steady mode. IMO, having to remember which mode to use when might be hard to do in the heat of the moment, and if you got it wrong would create confusion. I set mine up to be flashing.

[BeerBudgetRacing]

I set mine up to be flashing.

[924RACR]

I'll be setting mine up to be flashing, since that's what the few who've actually wanted this seem to point to have a big hard-on about...

(Trying desperately to avoid throwing shade about service intervals on the OEM Mk1 Eyeball equipped on the above-noted observation platforms... still gotta share the track and all... )

[J Leonard]

Per the GCR, we just need an approved rain light. No mention of having to use a specific flashing/steady mode. IMO, having to remember which mode to use when might be hard to do in the heat of the moment, and if you got it wrong would create confusion. I set mine up to be flashing.

Maybe wire them up with the FT200. Let someone else take charge.

[RussMcB]

I find it odd that the SCCA did not follow British MSA rules and require the light be operable in both constant and flashing. I believe MSA rules have it on constant in rain, flashing behind pace car and if disabled on track or moving well below race speed. Get out those three position switches.

This makes the most sense to me.

And now a $1000 wiring harness !

I'm confused. I wired an On-Off-On switch for a few dollars. I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't wire it to have both solid and flashing modes available. Maybe I had more room in my FM dash than other's cars?

[BeerBudgetRacing]

I'm confused. I wired an On-Off-On switch for a few dollars. I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't wire it to have both solid and flashing modes available. Maybe I had more room in my FM dash than other's cars?

There are 3 leads on these lights. Solid, flashing and ground. The choice is made at the dash, right?

I have a 2001 VD and the chassis harness is all wrapped and sealed.
It's an additional wire from the dash to the light that isn't currently in the harness.

[DaveW]

There are 3 leads on these lights. Solid, flashing and ground. The choice is made at the dash, right?

I have a 2001 VD and the chassis harness is all wrapped and sealed.
It's an additional wire from the dash to the light that isn't currently in the harness.

Similar with my Citation - I would need another wire from dash to light. Not a huge issue, just a bit inconvenient.

[Steve Demeter]

Just had a random thought: Will Sports Racers have to add the flashing rain light in addition to their already required brake lights?
In weak theory they could wire the CARTEK to turn solid when the brakes are applied and to flash when the rain light switch is turned on...

[david oleary]

Just had a random thought: Will Sports Racers have to add the flashing rain light in addition to their already required brake lights?
In weak theory they could wire the CARTEK to turn solid when the brakes are applied and to flash when the rain light switch is turned on...

Hi Steve
That is how my P2 was wired, rain light and then Brake Light BUT i was told just a few months ago that Brake lights are now not required in Sports Racers any longer and there is nothing in the GCR that states Sports Racer need to have a Brake Light?

[scorp997]

Just had a random thought: Will Sports Racers have to add the flashing rain light in addition to their already required brake lights?
In weak theory they could wire the CARTEK to turn solid when the brakes are applied and to flash when the rain light switch is turned on...

in our vintage group, formula cars need brake lights. I wired mine up exactly as you indicated

[924RACR]

Just had a random thought: Will Sports Racers have to add the flashing rain light in addition to their already required brake lights?
In weak theory they could wire the CARTEK to turn solid when the brakes are applied and to flash when the rain light switch is turned on...

Yeah, sports racers haven't required brake lights since we wrote the rulebook for P1 and P2. Let's see, that would be maybe 2014 or so?

I mean, what's the point, when no-one else in the run group has brake lights???

Every now and then I have this discussion with the brains in the tech shed; always fun to be able to point out how they're enforcing a rulebook they haven't read in the last 10 years or so...

Installed my FIA (Cartek) light yesterday... hours of fab on a new bracket and wiring, and it's no more bright than the $20 light it replaces. But it flashes, so it's got that going for it...

[Dave Gomberg]

Yeah, sports racers haven't required brake lights since we wrote the rulebook for P1 and P2. Let's see, that would be maybe 2014 or so?

I mean, what's the point, when no-one else in the run group has brake lights??? ...

Even though the brake lights haven't been required on P1/P2 cars for a while, I still had them on mine (separate lights). Now, with the Cartek, the wires were already there and both functions are in one assembly. Why? Because I still like having my ass "covered" if someone closing on me isn't paying attention. Costs nothing more, so why not?

Dave

[924RACR]

If you still have the wiring and switch, sure...

[BeerBudgetRacing]

I mean, what's the point, when no-one else in the run group has brake lights???

Every now and then I have this discussion with the brains in the tech shed; always fun to be able to point out how they're enforcing a rulebook they haven't read in the last 10 years or so...

Last year the tech assigned to me spent a few minutes looking for the brake lights on my FC. He was clearly new.
When he saw the rain light he said - "Just 1 brake light?"
So I explained we did not have them. He took my word for it.

I find this sort of thing to be common. We need them. So I'm patient. I don't want them to think the group is arrogant.

[924RACR]

Yeah, I pitch the tone of my response to match theirs. Sometimes it's merely an educational opportunity to open the GCR and give it a proper look.

Sometimes a little ego shows up to the party and it gets more entertaining. Always fun when one was in the committee that actually wrote the rules being referenced...

[RussMcB]

There are 3 leads on these lights. Solid, flashing and ground. The choice is made at the dash, right?

I have a 2001 VD and the chassis harness is all wrapped and sealed.
It's an additional wire from the dash to the light that isn't currently in the harness.

Similar with my Citation - I would need another wire from dash to light. Not a huge issue, just a bit inconvenient.

Sorry, I made an assumption I should not have. I just happened to be rewiring my car when this rain light thing started, so I ran three wires from the light to the dash.

[BeerBudgetRacing]

Sorry, I made an assumption I should not have. I just happened to be rewiring my car when this rain light thing started, so I ran three wires from the light to the dash.

You anticipated change - good. But that added weight! tsk-tsk