00:00 |
- Before we continue, it's important to understand that altering components of your vehicle could potentially be dangerous if it's not done correctly.
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00:08 |
This doesn't just come down to the quality of your fabrication processes but also down to the design of the components to ensure that the materials chosen are suitable to withstand the forces that they'll experience.
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00:20 |
While this course will touch briefly on some of the basics of engineering design, it is not a course on mechanical engineering.
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00:29 |
If you have any doubt about the suitability of a part you intend to make, particularly anything involving the steering, suspension or braking components of your vehicle, we'd recommend you seek the guidance of a suitably qualified engineer.
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00:41 |
It's also important to understand that not every modification will always result in the improvement you may be expecting.
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00:48 |
For this reason, it's also critical to test your work carefully and prove that it has a positive impact on your vehicle's performance.
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00:56 |
Throughout this course, we focus on the techniques that can be used to make your vehicle perform better but it's in your best interest to start out with the simple tasks and master these before moving onto larger ones.
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01:08 |
For this reason, it's critical to have a full understanding of the likely implications that your changes could have and be mindful that you're testing these in the right environment.
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01:17 |
Some modifications may also be illegal for road use in some parts of the world or for race use in specific classes.
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01:23 |
Nobody wants to waste time and money producing a vehicle that can't be legally used for its intended purpose so it's your responsibility to check with your local road authority or motorsport governing body to ensure that your modifications fit within the technical regulation guidelines.
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01:40 |
It's normal to consult with an engineer if you're planning on serious modifications to a road car and this engineer will equip you with the guidelines you need to follow to ensure that there are no hassles getting your vehicle back on the road, once the modifications are complete.
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01:55 |
Understandably the rules and regulations differ dramatically depending on where in the world you are so again, it's your responsibility to make sure that you full understand what you can and can't do legally.
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02:06 |
If you're building a project for racing use, then it's normal to consult your motorsport governing body for a copy of its rules and regulations, pertaining to the particular glass you want to enter.
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02:17 |
Attached to this will be a list of safety measures that you may need to incorporate into your vehicle.
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02:21 |
While it should go without saying, making structural changes will require you to modify areas that can be critical to the safety of your vehicle.
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02:29 |
While it's always our aim to improve safety throughout these modifications, failing to do so properly can potentially result in injury or death.
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02:38 |
It may be all well and good understanding the fundamentals of motorsport fabrication but if you're not confident in your ability to successfully complete your project then you may be best to leave this to a professional.
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02:50 |
If this is the case, the information in this course will still provide you with essential knowledge so that you can get the best results from your local fabricator, but if you don't feel it's right for you, let us know and we'll happily provide you with a full refund of the purchase price.
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