Speaking to some of the kit car manufacturers, there doesn't seem to be a problem, the general feeling is that someone didn't think this particular regulation through. If the exhaust had to be covered for the IVA then so would every motorbike imported or made in this country, the main reason for the change to IVA is European harmonisation (by 2015) of ALL type approval. This regulation would treat one vehicle (the kit car) differently to another (the motor cycle). This is divergence not harmonisation.

One manufacturer has interpreted from the regulations that exhausts within the wheel plan are exempt. This would include the Roadster as the exhaust is inside the outside edge of the wheels.

I'm not sure about that one, to be honest.

One possible solution if the exhaust has to be covered might be thermal wrap on the pipes and a perforated shield over the silencer.

It's the usual VOSA fudge and we won't really know until the final draft comes out.

Cheers

Chris

PS I heard a little whisper today that the introduction of the IVA might be delayed, certainly the fact that the manual, or even the final draft hasn't appeared with less than two months to go is an indicator of that - you can't expect people to build to, and be tested on, a standard that is unknown.