Greenpower

Formula 24 Regulations 2009

All vehicles entered for any event organised by Greenpower under Formula 24 rules will comply with the following regulations. All vehicles will be subject to pre-event and possible post-event scrutineering to ensure compliance.

All changes to regulations are highlighted in red text.

1. Motor
1.1 The vehicle will only be powered by one 24 volt, 240 watt, DC Fracmo electric motor supplied by Greenpower.
1.2 The motor is sealed and must not be opened. No machining or drilling of the casing is allowed. Teams that register machined motors prior to January 2009 with Greenpower have a one year concession before compliance.
1.3 Cooling of the motor is allowed, but methods using prior energy input (e.g. ice), or power from batteries other than the main vehicle batteries are banned.
1.4 The motor must be easily accessible for inspection. Greenpower reserve the right to remove motors for return to the manufacturers for inspection.

2. Batteries
2.1 Two 12 volt Yuasa 100T Elite batteries supplied by Greenpower will be used on each vehicle. Four hour races require two sets of batteries.
2.2 During races batteries must not be recharged when not fitted to the vehicle.
2.3 The batteries must be firmly secured to the chassis of the vehicle using rigid fixings - i.e. no webbing or elastic straps, and must not be able to move in any direction in those fixings.
2.4 Batteries must be separated from the driver by a bulkhead, or contained in a covered, ventilated box of minimum 3mm wall thickness. Batteries must be located within the bodywork of the vehicle.
2.5 Where practice is allowed, standard lead/acid practice batteries may be used.
2.6 Batteries must have connections that are not liable to disconnect or short against metal parts.
2.7 The top of the batteries must be below 375mm from ground level.
2.8 Suitable battery trolleys must be used for transporting batteries around pits and paddock - they must not be carried. Safety Note - Batteries should be handled with care. Batteries that are dropped or fall off trolleys may sustain internal damage, fail and possibly cause injury.

3. Wheels & Track
3.1 Wheels must not be less than 300mm (12in) or greater than 500mm (20in) in diameter.
3.2 There must be four wheels located as a matching front and matching rear pair.
3.3 The track of the vehicle must not be less than 500mm front or rear. The track is deemed as the measured width between centres of tyres where they contact the ground.
3.4 Tyres must be pneumatic.

4. Dimensions
4.1 The vehicle must not exceed 2500mm in length, 1200mm in width, and 1200mm in height.
4.2 Ground clearance must not be less than 40mm on all post-2006 vehicles.

5. Driver and Seating
5.1 The vehicle will have one seat firmly fixed to the vehicle chassis for the driver who will remain seated at all times whilst racing.
5.2 The driver must be seated in a conventional feet forward, head to the back position. Drivers may not kneel, sit astride a seat, or lie down in any way such that their chests and head are forward of their waist.
5.3 The driver must be able to demonstrate an exit from the vehicle in six seconds unaided.
5.4 There must be a solid floor under the whole of the driver.

6. Bodywork
6.1 The vehicle will have bodywork reaching to at least the back of the driver, and at the sides must always cover the elbows of the driver. Bodywork must not prevent hand signals from being made.
6.2 There must be a permanent cockpit opening, large enough for the driver to exit the vehicle, without the use of doors or the removal of any panels or coverings.
6.3 Bodywork, including windscreens, to the front or sides of the driver's helmet may not be higher than the driver's eye level of every driver. This does not include front wheels or their coverings.
6.4 Parts of the bodywork may be removed during pitstops to aid battery removal.
6.5 Energy absorbing foam (closed cell polyethylene) of minimum 25mm thickness must be attached to the inside of the vehicle bodywork along either side of the driver, from the floor to the cockpit opening.
6.6 There must be some form of energy absorbtion inside the front of the vehicle to protect the driver from frontal impact.
6.7 All cockpit edges and sharp edges/protrusions in the cockpit must be padded.

7. Brakes
7.1 The vehicle must have an effective braking system that will prevent it being pushed from standstill with the brakes applied.
7.2 There must be a mechanical brake in addition to any electrical braking system that might be incorporated.
7.3 The driver must be able to operate the brakes without removing either hand from the steering mechanism.

8. Roll Bars
8.1 The vehicle must have front and rear roll bars offering protection in accordance with the diagram (seen in the PDF download or hard copy) - the helmeted head of all drivers must be at least 50mm below the line A-B as shown.
8.2 Roll bars must be firmly secured to the chassis of the vehicle. At least one triangulated brace must be fitted to the rear roll bar. This brace should attach to the chassis of the vehicle at one end, and to not more than 200mm from the top of the roll bar at the other.
8.3 Aluminium, steel or composite roll bars can be used but must be strong enough and of sufficient dimensions to perform satisfactorily. If in doubt check material suitability before construction.
8.4 The front and rear wheels must not be regarded as part of the roll protection.

9. Safety Equipment
9.1 Two suitably sized adjustable rear view mirrors must be fitted.
9.2 The vehicle must have a clearly audible warning device.
9.3 A 24 volt rated isolation switch must be fitted, and will be switched to off at all times when the vehicle is not moving. It should be clearly visible and be easily accessible to the driver, and from outside the vehicle. Two switches will be fitted if needed. On/Off positions must be clearly marked.
9.4 The vehicle must be fitted with a minimum four fixing point, 50mm width safety harness, with secure fixing points on the roll bar or chassis. Harness shoulder strap fixing points should be close to shoulder height. Thought should be given to the design of the seat and harness to prevent 'submarining' in the event of frontal impact.
9.5 A clearly visible, non-flashing, red brake light will be fitted. It can incorporate its own battery.
9.6 Chains and sprockets must be guarded.

10. Steering
10.1 Steering systems must have minimal play in joints. Control rod geometry must not be able to over centre.
10.2 Steering must be by mechanical linkages only.
10.3 Steering must be by front wheels only.

11. Electrics
11.1 The motor can be controlled by a simple On/Off or speed controller method. This must be spring loaded to the Off position.
11.2 A fused link/cut-out must be in place in the main power circuit, rated between 60 and 100 amps.
11.3 Battery isolator(s) must be fitted as specified in regulation 9.3.
11.4 All wires on the vehicle must be neatly run and secured away from moving parts, and be rated correctly.

12. Other Features
12.1 Three racing numbers will be provided by Greenpower at the event. These must be located on the front and clearly visible from both sides of the vehicle. The stickers are black numbers with a white circular background of 250mm diameter.
12.2 The vehicle can carry advertising/sponsors logos.
12.3 LIFTING POINTS must be clearly marked for use by recovery marshals.

13. Driver Regulations
13.1 Drivers must be in secondary school years 7-11 only (ages 11-16).
13.2 Year 7 pupils joining the team in September are not permitted to drive at the Final without completing one qualifying heat beforehand.
13.3 Drivers must wear a suitable motor cycle or motor racing specification full face crash helmet. Drivers must know how to adjust and fasten the strap securely.
13.4 If the crash helmet does not have a visor, goggles must be worn.
13.5 Sensible full overalls must be used whilst driving. Paper overalls are not acceptable.
13.6 Full protective gloves, preferably leather, must be worn.
13.7 Drivers must be fully conversant with the Drivers Regulations for the event, and must also be knowledgeable about their vehicle.
13.8 Drivers must always bring with them to events their up to date Greenpower Drivers Licence.

14. Logbooks
14.1 Each team already has or will be issued with a vehicle logbook on Confirmation of Entry. This must be brought to scrutineering at every event. Any Scrutineer’s requirements must be completed before your next event; otherwise the vehicle will not be allowed to participate.

15. Team Regulations
15.1 A minimum of six drivers per vehicle will be declared as drivers on race day, of whom five must drive. Drivers may not drive more than one vehicle on race day. Each driver must drive for a minimum of 20 minutes and up to a maximum of 2 hours.
15.2 There will be a maximum of six further pupils acting as mechanics and pit crew, who may support more than one vehicle in a multi-vehicle team.
15.3 Two persons must be designated as battery handlers, and no other team members will be allowed into the race Battery Quarantine Area. However, they can be responsible for more than one team.
15.4 Any team members handling batteries must wear stout footwear, ideally with toe protection.
15.5 Adults will not be allowed to assist in pitstops unless by specific arrangement beforehand with Greenpower.
15.6 All team members must be clearly identifiable by their clothing.
15.7 The team must have a name which will be registered at the start of the season on the Entry Confirmation Form, and cannot be changed. In the event of a name not being given then Greenpower will issue one.
15.8 Team members (including drivers) who start the project in Year 11 and qualify for the October Final can continue with the team to the Final.

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From time to time further regulations might be required and these will be forwarded to the teams involved and posted on the Greenpower website.

Whilst these regulations, the scrutineers and officials endeavour to ensure vehicles are safe to compete, ultimate responsibility lies with the team.

It is understood that all persons participating in events under these rules are doing so at their own risk and the entrant will ensure that all competitors under the age of 18 will have disclaimers signed by their parents or guardians prior to competing. The organisers ensure that full third party liability insurance is always in place for events under their control.

In the event of any queries about these regulations or other related matters please contact Greenpower for assistance. Greenpower has a Duty of Responsibility to all those competing in its events and will do everything reasonable in its power to ensure that these Regulations are followed and adhered to both before and during the events.

For all regulation queries: scrutineer@greenpower.co.uk

Greenpower Ltd, Unit C2, Modern Moulds Business Centre, Harwood Road, Littlehampton, BN17 7AU