MAZDA M X -5 AIR FILTER CONFUSION
An eligibility row led to three cars in the Mazda MX-5 Supercup running in an invitation class at Brands Hatch last weekend.
Nick Boon, Geoff Gouriet and Tom Parker were forced to race for no points after being unable to fit the requisite air filter system to their cars, although Parker managed to source one overnight for races two and three.
Confusion emerged over differing interpretation of regulation 5.7.5, which states: “It is permitted to replace the standard induction system cold air pipe and filter with an aftermarket induction kit, i.e. Pipercross universal VM7100.”
Some drivers had taken this wording to mean that other aftermarket brand kits could also be used on their cars.
A clarification was then issued to state that “the Pipercross Venom universal VM7100 is the part that must be used”.
A number of drivers changed to the correct part between qualifying and the first race and were allowed to compete as normal.
The British Racing and Sports Car Club’s competitions director Dominic Ostrowski commented: “It’s unfortunate for [the affected drivers] but we had to draw the line and say that is the regulation. It had been brought to our attention that some of them weren’t running to the regulations so that was the best option to allow them to still race this weekend.”