JUNE 2006 I HAVE SEEN THE FIA RULES AND SPECIFICATIONS. I HAVE CONFIRMED NASA'S REQUEST FOR THE CELL Replacement.
FUEL CELL REPLACEMENT IS MANDATORY AS OF 2006. HOWEVER DUE TO OUR INVESTIGATION OF THE Replacement DEMAND, WE HAVE WAITED TO DETERMINE THE BEST SOLUTION, AS THE BLADDERS "ALONE" FOR OUR SPORTSMAN CELL WERE OVER $600.00. WE HAVE CONFIRMED THE USE OF THE FUEL SAFE "ENDURO CELL" PART NUMBER ED105. THIS MEETS OR EXCEEDS FIA Requirements. THIS IS A ENTIRE NEW CELL CASE AND BLADDER. IT WILL FIT INTO THE EXISTING FUEL CELL AREA. THE COST IS $470.00. OUR COST INCLUDES THE BG/NASA ROLL OVER VENT VALVE AND LINE. CLICK HERE TO ORDER.
APRIL 2006 (FIA NEVER RESPONDED)
Baby Grand Drivers,
Forwarding this letter I wrote to FIA, concerning our bladder replacement... Please hold tight on replacement, as we still do not have a great plan on implementing the bladder replacement. And, I am not satisfied with the inconsistent response I have been getting from other Sanctioning bodies about their "Bladder Replacement Policy". (THEY ARE NOT ENFORCING).
Fuel Safe, no longer makes the bladder with our top metal plate as large as ours. Our only option at this time is to replace the entire unit with the Enduro Cell, which is approved by FIA FT3 standard. It is slightly less than the cost of the Sportsman's Bladder.. for an entire new system.. But lets make sure this new safety issue includes us! As far as I have been able to tell, it is for Subaru Rally cars... Thus my letter to the horses mouth...
My name is Lynn Egen, I am the National Director of a Road Race Series called the Baby Grand National Road Race Challenge.
We run our events on a national level with NASA, National Auto Sports Assoc., using the Baby Grand Stockcars.
We have been required to replace our Fuel Safe, Sportsman, fuel cells at five years from mfg date. After inspecting 6 of these fuel cells, we found that there were no signs of deterioration or incidents of malfunction or rupture upon impact.
Can you please guide me to your ruling on this matter, so that I can justify to our drivers the reason to spend $650.00 on what seems to be a perfectly good cell and bladder.
BLADDER VERIFICATION OF REPLACEMENT INVESTIGATED!
We are currently investigating the need to replace the entire bladder and or unit..
FUEL SAFE Fuel Cell bladders! ALERT! www.fuelsafe.com
Due to several fuel additives and mixtures Fuel Safe has sent out an alert to educate you about your bladder ( Not your bladder but your cars bladder)... The have found the rubber components of the fuel systems to be deteriorating...
Fuel Safe suggests and NASA demands that racers drain the fuel bladder and inspect it thoroughly for fraying, wrinkling or blistering...
NASA Annual Tech Requirement!!!
1)In log book note MFG/Serial # and MFG Date
2) In log book in Front in the Annual Section: List the information again and sign it as the inspector..
ALL BLADDERS OVER 5 YEARS OLD MUST BE REPLACED!!
IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE FOAM BE REPLACED EVERY 2 YEARS..
BRG RACING WILL BE TAKING OVER ALL YOUR BABY GRAND SERVICE NEEDS.
