HERO - the Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation
Eligibility and Specification Guidelines
for Post-1940 Cars on HERO Reliability Trials

Version 1.3 - June 2000

Introduction

HERO, like most organisers of historic rallies (and the MSA), require cars to be of the correct period specification, in terms of appearance and performance.

It is hard - probably impossible - to draw up a watertight set of firm regulations. Ingenious competitors will always find loopholes; and we have no wish to refuse participation in a friendly amateur sport to owners of cars which are appropriate, even if not correct in every technical detail.

HERO’s solution is for scrutineers and organisers to judge whether each car is within the spirit of the event, in terms of period authenticity of its appearance, specification and performance.

To assist in this, we have produced this set of guidelines for competitors, organisers and scrutineers.

If this approach leads to some inconsistency from event to event, or from vehicle to vehicle, this will mainly occur in borderline cases, or where the competitor is not able to produce documentary evidence. It does no harm for owners of doubtful cars to be aware that they run the risk of not passing the eligibility scrutineer!

The Guidelines

1. IMPORTANT NOTE: these are GUIDELINES only. This means that the Clerk of the Course and/or the Chief Scrutineer may at their discretion allow cars to take part which do not comply in every respect, but whose non-complying items in their opinion do not materially and unfairly enhance the performance, reliability, handling or braking of the car beyond period standards, do not adversely alter the car’s appearance, and are within the spirit of the event.
   
   Competitors whose cars do not wholly comply with these Guidelines are advised to contact the Chief Scrutineer prior to the event, if they wish to minimise the risk of not passing scrutineering.
   
   Officials' judgements are of course subjective. If your car does not wholly comply with the Guidelines and other regulations, it MAY be allowed to take part. If it does comply, it WILL.
   
   Bear in mind, too, that a decision by the officials on one event does not bind the officials on the next event - they may not agree. Better to be safe than sorry!
   
   
2. Age Categories: on its Classic Reliability Trials, HERO normally establishes the following:
   Age Category A: Vintage (model first made before 21.12.30)
   Age Category B: Post Vintage (model first made between 1.1.31 and 31.12.40)
   Age Category C: Wartime/Postwar (model first made between 1.1.41 and 31.12.52)
   Age Category D: Fifties (model first made between 1.1.53 and 31.12.59)
   Age Category E: Sixties Historic (model first made between 1.1.60 and 31.12.67)
   Age Category F: Post-Historic (model first made after 31.12.67; actual car made before 31.12.74*)
   
   *The 1974 cut-off date applies to events run under MSA UK permit. The cut-off date for events run under FIA Historic Reliability Rally regulations is 31st December 1976; for events run under FIVA regulations, the car must be more than 20 years old, e.g. for an event run in 2000, the car must have been made in 1979 or earlier. Some rallies may be limited to older cars - see the individual event's Supplementary Regulations.
   
   Many of our Reliability Trials run parallel to a non-competitive Touring Rally or Trial, which is normally open to cars built before 31st December 1979.
   
   Vehicles are classified, not by the individual year of manufacture or first registration of that car, but by the year in which the model concerned was launched. This enables all cars of the same model and specification to run in the same Age Category and class, which is particularly important for handicap events like LE JOG.
   
   HERO reserve the right to make exceptions and place cars in the Age Category they deem most appropriate. Significant later variants of a particular model, such as those with substantially revised body style, larger engine capacity, disc instead of drum brakes, etc, will be regarded as new models.
   
   
3. MSA Vehicle Regulations: on UK events, all cars must comply with MSA Vehicle Regulations (attached as Appendix A) except where waivers have been applied for and granted by the MSA (which happens frequently - owners of cars affected are encouraged to apply).
   
   
4. Period authenticity: cars should be of correct period specification. This means that all elements should be of an appearance, design, materials and dimensions known to have been in use during the period of the Age Category for which the car is entered.
   
   This does NOT necessarily mean that the car must be to original factory specification. Modifications and accessories are allowed if these are well known, or if the entrant can produce documentary evidence to show that they were available on the open market, or used in competitions of the kind entered - but purely race-specification modifications would not normally be allowed for rallies, except in cases were these modifications were made to that actual car in period, as supported by documentary evidence.
   
   Particular attention should be paid to the following:
   1. Chassis or body shell: this should be the main determinant of the car’s identity, date and authenticity, and should be the original item, of correct period date. Replacement chassis or shells should normally be permitted only where a car has been rebuilt with substantially the other original components of that vehicle - modern replica vehicles are NOT permitted. Strengthening and modifications should be permitted only if correct to the period. Wheelbase and track should be correct.
   2. Non-structural body components: these may be replacements of any date of manufacture, but should be correct in terms of appearance, materials and weight. If they are not to the original specification (and especially if they are aluminium or fibreglass instead of steel), the competitor should be required to produce evidence that cars with such components existed in the period. Wheel arch widening or extensions should be allowed only if correct to period. All external body trim (such as radiator grill and bumpers) should be in place, unless cars without these items can be shown to have been used in period.
   3. Engine: the block should be an original period item of the correct type, correctly mounted in the engine bay. All engine dimensions and components should be correct, especially in terms of overall cubic capacity; bore and stroke; materials and weight of pistons, conrods, crankshaft, valve gear and other components; camshaft design; valve size and lift; compression ratio; etc. Any components whose metallurgy is different from original factory specification should be mentioned on the Declaration of Vehicle Specification.
   4. Carburation: the carburation system should be correct, especially in terms of method of induction; number, size, make and type of carburettors; design of inlet manifold; size of inlet ports; etc.
   5. Exhaust system: the exhaust manifold, and other parts of the exhaust system, should be of a specification used in period.
   6. Transmission: all transmission components should be of correct period design and specification. Limited slip differentials are permitted only if of a type used in period.
   7. Brakes: the braking system used (disc or drum), the size of brakes, and the design and materials of the main components should be correct to period.
   8. Suspension: springs may be uprated, but should be of the same type as the original (coil, leaf, etc), and mounted on the original mounting points. Shock absorbers may be changed, but should be mounted on the original points. Spring and shock absorber mounting points may be strengthened.
   9. Wheels: this is a particularly sensitive item. Wheels of more recent design or greater width (especially cast alloy ones) are perhaps the commonest but also the most displeasing non-period feature. They should be of correct appearance and style; materials; diameter; and rim width.
   10. Seats and interior trim: these may be replacements of original equipment, to correct period appearance and specification. Driver’s and co-driver’s front seats may be replaced with modern items. All other trim should be in place unless the competitors can produce documentary evidence that cars of that model were produced or rallied without the items of trim concerned during the period of the Age Category entered. Additional items of trim, such as padding, stowage, etc, are permitted.
   11. Electrics and lighting: these should be of correct period kind, specifically with regard to type of ignition system (e g coil, distributor, points). Exceptions are:
       
       - alternators: permitted on all cars in Age Categories D, E and F; and on earlier cars if permitted by the event’s Regulations (which may stipulate a penalty).
       - halogen bulbs: permitted on all cars in Age Categories D, E, and F; and on earlier cars if permitted by the event’s Regulations (which may stipulate a penalty).
       - upgraded voltage: uprating from 6v to 12v is permitted.
       
       The negative terminal of the battery should be yellow or clearly marked with yellow tape. Master cut-off switches (internal and external) may be fitted.
5. Modifications and additions: in respect of cars, or of elements of cars, which are not to original factory specification:
   1. Modifications and accessories are permitted if they are well known and widespread period items, or if the competitor can produce documentary evidence that
      - cars of that model with the items or modifications in question existed in the period of the Age Category for which the car is entered, either for road or for rally use; and/or that
      - the particular items concerned were offered for sale for that model, or for general use, in the period of the Age Category for which the car is entered
      Equipment, components and accessories made at the time specifically for (and used only on) other models of car should not be not allowed.
   2. An FIA homologation form is accepted as evidence that modifications permitted on the form existed at the time at which it was issued.
   3. It is permitted for cars to be equipped with major components fitted to later variants of that model: e g a 1958 Volvo 122 may be fitted with disc brakes and/or an 1,800 cc engine, items which were only available after 1960. However, in such cases, the car’s Age Category will be determined by the date at which these components were introduced, and in this example the 1958 car would run in Age Category E (for cars of 1960 or later).
      
6. 6 ?Safety features: the following are compulsory:
   1. seat belts (full harness or lap-and-diagonal) on cars in Age Categories D, E and F; recommended for other cars
   2. fire extinguisher of at least 1.75 litre capacity (AFFF or ZERO 2000 extinguishant), mounted within reach of crew while belted in
   3. first aid kit; the event Regulations may specify contents
   4. warning triangle
   5. A4 size white board with a red SOS on one side and a black OK on the other
      
      The following are optional but are recommended:
   6. roll hoop/cage for open or soft top cars (permitted but not recommended for saloons)
   7. competition brake pads/linings
   8. competition brake fluid
   9. under-body protection (especially for low-slung cars); brake and fuel lines must be protected or routed where they are not vulnerable to damage. They may be routed inside the crew compartment of the car so long as they are protected and are either metallic or metal braided hydraulic hose and are joined only by screwed sealing joints.
      
      Crash helmets are permitted, especially in open cars.
7. All heavy items must be securely fastened down; in particular
   1. battery
   2. spare fuel container (which must be of a correct design, and may not be carried in the passenger compartment)
   3. spare wheel(s), jack, and other spares and tools
   4. luggage, tools and any other items carried inside the passenger compartment
      
      No spare fuel, nor glass items such as bottles, may be carried inside the passenger compartment.
      
      
8. 8 ?Supplementary odometers: each car may be equipped with not more than one supplementary odometer to measure distance. This may be either a purely mechanical device of any kind (e g Halda Tripmaster/Twinmaster, Halda Speedpilot) ; or one of the following single-display digital electronic instruments measuring distance only: Brantz 1; Terratrip 1; or a simple electromechanical device with single calibration (e g the Autostorica Retrotrip).
   
   The Supplementary Regulations of individual events may permit other devices, but these may be subject to a penalty. A second speedometer head, if fitted with a trip, counts as a supplementary odometer.
   
   Permitted odometers must be physically attached to the car and on display in front of the crew. Other devices, such as bicycle odometers/computers and timers which bleep at intervals that correspond to distance covered at a set speed, are prohibited, and their possession may result in EXCLUSION.
   
   
9. Prohibited equipment: the following are prohibited, unless allowed by the Supplementary Regulations of the event concerned:
   1. intercoms within the car
   2. radio transmitters of any kind (including mobile and satellite phones)
   3. GPS units and other satellite or radio navigation devices
      
      
10. 10?Sports specials based on chassis made before 1960 may be accepted, at the Clerk of the Course's discretion. These may have more recently made bodywork provided that
    1. the chassis is the original item and the make of chassis forms part of the car's name e g "Bentley Mk VI Special" or "Bloggs Ford Special"
    2. the bodywork is of appropriate period appearance, materials, construction and character
    3. the axles, engine, carburation, exhaust, steering gear, brakes, and all other main mechanical components are of the correct period in specification and appearance (not necessarily from the same type of car). Disc brakes are not permitted except where these were fitted to the original chassis, and are of the original kind (make, type, size).
    4. the road wheels, headlight s and other external details are of period design and appearance (e g not modern alloy wheels)
    5. a photograph is submitted with the entry form
    6. the competitor accepts the risk that the vehicle may be declared ineligible at scrutineering
       
       
11. 11?Declaration of Vehicle Specification: Every competitor is required to submit a copy of this with his entry form. If a car is modified from normal production specification in any way, this must include a detailed of all variations from standard.
    
    
12. MOT Test Certificate: crews of UK registered vehicles must make availalbe for inspection at scrutineering a current MOT Test Certificate. If there is an equivalent test in the country of registration of non-UK vehicles, then a certificate proving compliance with this test must be available for inspection at scrutineering.
    
    
13. Cars which fail eligibility scrutineering but which are not judged unroadworthy may, at the sole discretion of the Clerk of the Course, be allowed to take part in the event but not to be classified, nor to be eligible for awards unless there is a special class for such 'refused' cars.