Racing class light.

[Xavier PJB]

Dear all,

I have noticed that colored lights were mounted on the roof or door to indicate :

• either the car class (yellow, blue, green, amber) or being switched on at night (mainly endurance series)
• or turned on by the pilot to indicate to his/her tem the need to get into the pit on the next lap (no radio - good old days).

Have seen some of the cars in here with a roof light, such as Robert Abbott's 911 L. In the Volume nb 22 of the brillant ESSES, IT is mentioned, page 19, " We also wanted to add a small detail reminiscent of the old racing days by ading a roof light to indicate the racing class"
This made me search for a superb Hella Teardrop, which I found (thanks to the Sreg). But before drilling 2 holes on the roof, I wanted to know more about.
WP_20131227_002.jpg

I went to the FIA web site to try to find a bit more about this, and could not find much within the endurance regulations or homologations sheets. Just a tiny line on the lastest regulations for LMGTE (Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance), page 23 under the Cockpit section: "Coloured lights in order to identify cars". Not much.
However, in 2002, a rank system have been introduced to Le Mans series from this US : a ligthing system installed on each side of the race car indocate the rank of the car within the first 3. It consists of 3 colored lights relative to the class of the car (yellow, blue, green and amber) : 1 light on = first, 2 lights = second, 3 lights = third, no light = fourth and below.

Browsed into the Appendix J 1968, and there is no mention on any pit light/class lights within the "lighting", article 257, page 19 or Article 260 page 25,
Did the same in Appendix J 1970, nothing more.

Therefore, I said to myslef, this is not a FIA or a regulation generic item; this is race specific. I read the " les 24 heures du Mans" regultation, and.....could not find a word on this.

I read again various abooks I have about racing, endurance, sports regulations etc... no joy.

Anyone has information that could help me ? Direct me to good sources ?


Cheers
Xavier

[Xavier PJB]

oh oh oh, is this such a tricky question ?

[Xavier PJB]

Bon bah, I will continue to seek information - if I find something I'all share it with you.

[Flieger]

I think Gib Bosworth looked into these for his green and yellow ST's. Personally, I don't like the look of them but that is just me.

[boba]

Marker lights were used by the teams to help ID their cars at night. The unique location and color were used as a spotting aid. Teams with multiple cars would use different colors to help ID on entrance into pits and on track. These teams would also use other color code items for daytime ID. These could be mirrors, front window banner, headlight covers, anything to make it quick and sure to ID cars.

[Xavier PJB]

as per the picture, any inputs ? :
42lemans1967goodpicture.jpg1971 barthmazzia.jpgNew Picture (2).png

[Xavier PJB]

Found new inputs :

"...By placing one of these unique lights somewhere on the highest point on the race vehicles, the support team can more easily identify the race car as it approached for pit stops, etc."

http://www.pbase.com/9146gt/factory_..._identifcation

Xavier