Taping plastic lights

JoshS

JoshS

New member
Every other category requires taping glass headlights, but not plastic ones, and not taillights and side markers. Why does IT require taping everything?
 
i just took my tape off that had been on the car for over 3yrs now. it sucked ass. paint thinner, ice scraper, a few rags, and a big headache later and the tail lights are 90% clean off all the gunk that was on them.

i'd really like to not retape them.
 
Because your mother said so, that's why! :D

It's an interesting question. I would think you would want them all taped.
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It all goes back to the idea that we are all heathens....The rules folks are still convinced that all IT drivers are direct descendants of demolition drivers. That said I am ok with taping all lights. :eclipsee_steering:
 
I use 3M rock chip stuff - it lasts better than plain ol' tape and actually provides a measure of protection, I think. I'm reminded however that I haven't done the new tail lights... :)

K
 
I like mine taped. I use 3M vinyl tape to match the car. Gives it a more "race car" look, I think. We removed a strip from the head lights once to signal the pits of an upcoming pit stop. Yes, it was a mess, but highly functional. The tail lights are tapped completely except for a 2" strip running lengthwise. It's way bright enough to pass tech and helps to protect lenses that are made of no-longer-ubtanium, plus, it draws added attention to them when lit.
 
Hey Josh,
Have you priced and/or tried to find Z3 headlights??? TAPE them....WELL!! I bought a "broken" headlight from a junkyard for $60. OUCH. I had to do about 2 hrs worth of work to fix it and make tabs so I could bolt it in. On a Z3 you definitely want to protect the headlights and hood, they're both hard to come by.


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R
 
I'm not suggesting that we remove the allowance for taping. I'm suggesting that all cars on the track should have the same rules, as this doesn't seem to be somethng that makes sense for one category but not for another. I have proposed to the CRB that the Touring rules be made generic for all cars (glass headlights MUST be taped, all other lights may be taped, rear lights, if taped, must be taped with transparent tape). This wording is consistent with SS, T, Prepared, and SM, but different from IT. There's no mention right now of taping lights for GT, P, or AS.
 
Hey Josh,
Have you priced and/or tried to find Z3 headlights??? TAPE them....WELL!! I bought a "broken" headlight from a junkyard for $60. OUCH. I had to do about 2 hrs worth of work to fix it and make tabs so I could bolt it in. On a Z3 you definitely want to protect the headlights and hood, they're both hard to come by.
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R [/b]
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I don't tape the headlight on my E36 325, they are plastic and have proven to be a valuable safety feature.
 
I don't tape the headlight on my E36 325, they are plastic and have proven to be a valuable safety feature.
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Would you mind expanding on that? Do you mean that being able to light them is a safety feature? You can have it both ways with the "headlight protector" films that are available. I'd do that if the "barn doors" on the IT7 car actually worked. :D
 
Can anyone show me where this rule exists?

I can't find it anywhere. Not disputing, just looking.

Thanks.
 
Thanks, ya beat me by just a few minutes. They hid it from me good. :lol:


It doesn't, mention tail lights tho, right?
 
Would you mind expanding on that? Do you mean that being able to light them is a safety feature? You can have it both ways with the "headlight protector" films that are available. I'd do that if the "barn doors" on the IT7 car actually worked. :D [/b]
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Do you mean that being able to light them is a safety feature?

Yes

With all the abuse the've taken in 2 years, the plastic lens are in great shape. Don't fix it if it isn't broken. :D

Pun intended
 
On the "safety" question, I burn my headlights on the track (through the aforementioned clear film) when the weather is bad or during enduros when traffic is a factor. And in the dark, of course.

:026:

K
 
Why does IT require taping everything?
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Because IT consists of significnatly older cars, some of which actually glass for lenses... Current SS and touring cars are all new and use plastic.

Don't forget: the IT rules are over 20 years old...
 
To double check, do you or do you not need to tape popup or hidden headlights.

Think MR2 or early Miata.

I taped them anyway, but someone at Tech told me that I did not need to. I poped the lights on the MR2 to show that they where done. He even told me that I could remove them. I think that is not correct.
 
To double check, do you or do you not need to tape popup or hidden headlights.

Think MR2 or early Miata.

I taped them anyway, but someone at Tech told me that I did not need to. I poped the lights on the MR2 to show that they where done. He even told me that I could remove them. I think that is not correct. [/b]
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You do not. The rule says 'exposed' lights. If you run with the lights up, yes you would have to tape them but...nobody does that.

As far as your tech guy - just reason 1 million that tech guys are not the law. Other than safety stuff, they know just as much as we do about the rules - and in a general sense, probably less because we are experts in our own category while they probably know a little about a lot. Understand this is not bashing anyone it's just the nature of the specialty that has to deal with so many cars and categories. The few times someone like this has made an incorrect statement, I just tell them I read the rules differently and ask them to point you to the section they are referencing. It will get resolved quickly.
 
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