Tow hooks.

BLU-125 · Postby **BLU-125** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 7:57 pm

My old NA6 is an Australian delivered car with what appear to be two tow hooks in the grille aperture. Are these suitable for CAMS & AASA events? Where is the best place to attach a rear tow point?

Postby **NitroDann** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:02 pm

the car comes with 2 tow hooks front and 2 rear that are all suitable for MOST events from factory.

however some series and classes require very specifically sized holes so double check or tell us exactly what events you want to enter.

Dann

BLU-125 · Postby **BLU-125** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:07 pm

Thanks for your prompt reply, Dann. Hillclimbs with Grafton Sporting Car Club & MGCC(Qld), and probably sprints at Lakeside and Morgan Park. Can't imagine door to door at this time......I'm 62.

Postby **NitroDann** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:11 pm

You would be best to email the respective clubs just in case, you just have to mention its got the 4 stock hooks and its an MX5 they will have scrutineered hundreds. Im going to give a 99% that it will be fine.

Dann

BLU-125 · Postby **BLU-125** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:45 pm

One last question........they should be painted red? In 4WD events some want yellow and some want red.

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:52 pm

You'll be OK for MGCCQ events. Use coloured tape. :wink:

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:54 pm

May be an old wives' tale, but are the original hooks only designed to hold the car on a transporter?

Postby **NitroDann** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:55 pm

Not sure they even need painting, but if its a cams event they should have an arrow pointing them out I believe, someone else will chime in with exact requirements.

Dann

Postby **NitroDann** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:57 pm

davekmoore wrote:May be an old wives' tale, but are the original hooks only designed to hold the car on a transporter?

Aftermarket hooks use the same bolts and are usually thinner and alloy not steel like stock, Ive pulled an mx5 chassis straight using only the hooks so trust me they are PLEEENTY strong.

Dann

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:05 pm

davekmoore wrote:May be an old wives' tale, but are the original hooks only designed to hold the car on a transporter?

Yes, it's an old wives' tale.

xatz · Postby **xatz** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:15 pm

The stock tow hooks are plenty strong and should be sufficient.

Below is a link to the only CAMS document I could find that mentioned tow hooks. It is applicable to 'circuit race' events, which you are not entering. I have no idea about the regulations for AASA events though.

http://camsmanual.com.au/pdf/10_gen_req ... 2013-1.pdf

StuwieP · Postby **StuwieP** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:25 pm

62. Towing Eyes
To facilitate the recovery of a vehicle, towing eyes shall be fitted complying with the following:
 Internal diameter of at least 40mm;
 Fitted forward of the front axle and rearwards of the rear axle;
 Clearly visible in yellow, orange or red, the chosen colour being in contrast to the colour of the body work.
 Tow hooks provided by the manufacturer of the car as a standard fitment may be used.

From the 2013 Targa champs tech regs. CAMS 2b and 2f have no specific tow hook requirements as far as I could find. Didn't even specify having TOW -> stickers. Maybe elsewhere on the CAMS site.

Stu

Edit: I know this isn't exactly what you're looking for (not what you're doing), but if you're at the above level in terms of tow hooks, you'll probably satisfy any club-level events.

Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 4:53 am

For QR sprints etc

19. Tow points must be fitted and clearly marked with a “TOW” sign 50mm high in contrasting

From CAMS Schedule C:
6. with visible towing points (capable of accepting a 40mm OD cylindrical test object) fitted forward of the front axle and rearwards of the rear axle and capable of towing the automobile on a sealed surface with its wheels locked;

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 8:20 am

The original Mazda tow hooks are strong enough to take a fair pull but the eyes in them are too small for most of the hooks used by recovery vehicles on our tracks. When the recovery crew can't fit their hook onto a vehicle they usually ask the driver to do it himself.

You can fix the problem of undersized hooks by fitting bigger towhooks to the standard mounts, fitting a sling piece around the original hooks or carrying a D-shackle to go through the original hooks. Whatever you do you should think beyond the regulations towards your own convenience and the convenience of others.

At the Winton 6 hour 3 or 4 years ago a Mini went off at the end of the back straight and bellied itself in the mud. I sat behind the pace car for a frustrating 30 minutes while they tried to get it out. The tow truck broke all the fabric tow straps fitted to the Mini. Then they dug a channel through the slime to the back axle and had the driver crawl through it in his $1,000 race suit to wrap a chain around the axle.

mazmad · Postby **mazmad** » Fri Feb 15, 2013 12:44 pm

manga_blue wrote:The tow truck broke all the fabric tow straps fitted to the Mini. Then they dug a channel through the slime to the back axle and had the driver crawl through it in his $1,000 race suit to wrap a chain around the axle.

This is what I have, this is what you are referring to? Sounds like I need to rethink this (not that I have a $1,000 suit but still.....)