So What Do They Race in Mono?

I was leaning on the pit wall at Snett last year when a bloke asked me this very question. As a lifelong motorsport enthusiast, but not a Mono insider, I had a vague idea, but wasn't sure of the detail, so I thought I'd look it up and try to summarise it for my own satisfaction. Also, the Asst. Ed. thought it wasn't a bad idea to get an outsider's perpective on this, as dedicated Monoposti will undoubtedly know what's going on, but as for gli altri? Also, the regs. changed for 2010; so after a trawl through them, here it is. Thanks to the Club's "Wise Men" who checked it and corrected it....

General Rules

• Single-seater racing cars.
• Commercially built chassis first produced for the 2006 model year or before. 
• Standard engines up to 2000cc. (engines with variable valve timing are not permitted, even if it's disabled).
• Cars must run on pump fuel (100 octane max.).
• Minimum ride height 40mm.
• Transmissions, brakes, wheels (min dia. 13") and tyres are free.
• Home built cars of any age are permitted.

Specific Rules/Exceptions

Mono 1000

For ‘bike engined cars such as JKS (Speads), Jedi, tube OMS, Leastone.

• Certain post 2006 chassis are permitted (basically space-frames designed for a ‘bike engine).
• Production motor cycle engine up to 1000cc capacity, tuning is permitted.
  
  

Mono 1400

A higher weight limit than Mono 1000, to try to encourage cars originally built with car engines, but converted to ‘'bike power, Dallara Hayabusa anyone?

• Certain post 2006 chassis are permitted (basically space-frames designed for a ‘'bike engine).
• Standard production motor cycle engine and gearbox up to 1400cc capacity. Air filtration is free, "Power Commander" and similar devices are permitted. Clutch basket, plates and springs are free.
  

Mono 1600

Formula Ford/FF2000 chassis, Formula Vauxhall Junior (8V) and Formula Renault 1700 are popular.

• Standard, iron block engines with a single camshaft up to 1750cc capacity, dry sump permitted. FF Kent 1600 engines, when fitted in older chassis, may use the approved Mono camshaft.
  

Mono 1800

Formula Ford Zetec, FF2000, Formula Vauxhall Junior (16V) and Formula Ireland cars feature.

• Engines conforming to the following regulations: FF Zetec 1800 up to year 2005, Formula Vauxhall 2000 (Junior 1600 cc 16 valve), FF2000 as defined in the 1993 MSA yearbook.

Mono 2000

Typically Dallara F3, US FF2000, Formula Renault 2000, 2009 Formula Renault BARC eligible too.

• Chassis must have been first produced for 2004 model year or earlier.
  
• Standard production engines up to 2000cc capacity.  Dry sump lubrication permitted.  Flywheel free.  Throttle Body Fuel Injection, subject to a 40mm per choke size restriction.  Ford Zetec engines can have free cam timing (std. cam & std. pulley).
• Engines of manufacture and model as used in FIA international Formula 3 during 2004 or earlier, having a 25 millimetre maximum diameter air restrictor through which all air serving the induction is passed.
• Complete cars complying with 2009 Formula Renault BARC Technical Regulations.  The chassis may not be used with any other engine, nor the engine used in any other chassis. Transmission, Gear Ratios, Final Drive and Clutch must comply with the above regulations.

Classic 2000

For classic cars such as Formula Vauxhall and older F3 cars, like Reynards and Ralts. Now some later Zetec engined cars eligible.

• Chassis of aluminium alloy and / or steel construction where the manufacturer's designated model year is 1998 or earlier, or 1999 or earlier in the case of chassis built to comply with the Renault Sport Manual, or 2001 or earlier when fitted with a Ford Zetec engine conforming to Mono 2000 Classic regs.
• Chassis of carbon fibre composite or aluminium alloy construction originally complying, or derived from those originally complying, with FIA Formula 3 and identified by the manufacturer as for the model year 1992 or earlier.
• Standard production engines up to 2000cc capacity.  Dry sump lubrication permitted.  Steel flywheel minimum weight 3.6kg. carburettors or original spec fuel injection.
• Engines of manufacture and model as used in FIA international Formula 3 during 1992 or earlier, having a 25 millimetre maximum diameter air restrictor through which all air serving the induction is passed. Engines which comply with the specification contained in the Formula Renault Sport Manual up to and including 1999.

THIS IS ONLY A BRIEF SUMMARY; PLEASE CHECK THE FULL REGULATIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING!
OR EMAIL BY CLICKING HERE TO ENQUIRE

You can race your older F3 car in Classic 2000...	....or your Formula Vauxhall	...or your Formula Renault 2000

Graham Easter

Jedis are popular in Mono 1000...

.... though the '09 Championship was won by a JKS, which also won the 1400 class....



....which has a higher minimum weight limit to attract cars orginally built for car engines. (pic: unknown)



Ford Kent engined cars have long been the mainstay of Mono 1600...



...but an 8V Formula Vauxhall Junior is an extremely cost-effective option



Racing doesn't get much easier than arrive and drive in Mono 1800 with a Zetec FF



Dallara F3 chassis feature in Mono 2000



BARC F Renault cars are eligible and raced in the 2010 opening round