Roll Bar Rules - Street Prepared

[Robert Puertas]

Perhaps existing cages could be grandfathered in...

It is interesting that there is currently an allowance for pre-85' "built" cars to have an aluminum structure - provided they can meet the requirements.

B. MATERIAL
After 9-22-85, aluminum is not an acceptable alternate material. Cars using aluminum roll bars or roll cages must file proof with the SD that the structure was approved prior to 9-22-85 as provided in this section.

Without a vehicle log book how does anyone track this? If you were to put a rule in place to grandfather in the current cars there is no way to track it.

That rule exists solely for Chris O'Donnel's DM Lotus Elan.

[David Barrish]

A very long time ago,at Lion Country, a broken rear stub axle almost got to prove if in fact that cage was for real.

The rear tire separated and the car went over it and vaulted the car.

One of those slow-motion will it or will it not, go over.

[John Coffey]

A three or five year grandfather clause would be a good idea. People can also remove the full cage and install a roll bar that meets the Solo2 rules. There are no proposed changes to that section.

[Bill Martin]

Back to the original question -- or one of them. Since only one brace will satisfy the requirement, it could be a forward brace to the center of the hoop. You should have no trouble meeting the 30 degree requirement and obviously it's in the top third.

Someone said a roll bar is limited to 4 points of attachment? Reference for that? Even if true, you could remove one or both rear braces to meet the technical requirements of the rules. Not say'n it's otherwise a good idea.

[Steve Lepper]

We have a similar problem installing roll bars ion NC Miatas: the roof structure prevents any rearward braces unless the soft top is completely removed. The accepted solution (as in, allowed at SCCA time trials among others) has been a single, forward-facing brace from the top center of the hoop to the front passenger floor.

Only problem is, it's scary on the street to have a big steel tube right between the passenger's ears.

[John Stimson]

Someone said a roll bar is limited to 4 points of attachment? Reference for that? Even if true, you could remove one or both rear braces to meet the technical requirements of the rules. Not say'n it's otherwise a good idea.

15.2.J.1 says "Roll bars must comply with Section 13.2.H in Stock category."
13.2.I (someone missed fixing the reference when this got re-lettered) says "Roll bars and roll cages may be added (See Appendix C). This allowance does not permit the removal of standard roll hoops. It is strongly recommended that roll cages be constructed according to the GCR, though they must be bolted (not welded) into the automobile and be contained within the driver/passenger compartment. Roll bars may be welded in. A roll cage has more than four attachment points to the body or frame, or has bracing both fore and aft of the main hoop."
The change proposed to the board of directors for 13.2.I says

H. Roll Bars and Roll Cages
1. Roll bars may be added. Roll bars may be welded in. Stock rollover hoops and covers may be removed if the
resulting installation meets the Basic Design Considerations of Appendix C. The total weight of components
added must not be less than that of components removed.
2. Roll cages may be added; it is strongly recommended that roll cages be constructed according to the GCR,
though they must be bolted (not welded) into the automobile and be contained within the driver/passenger
compartment. A roll cage has more than four attachment points to the body or frame, or has bracing both fore
and aft of the main hoop.

[John Coffey]

2. Roll cages may be added; it is strongly recommended that roll cages be constructed according to the GCR,
though they must be bolted (not welded) into the automobile and be contained within the driver/passenger
compartment. A roll cage has more than four attachment points to the body or frame, or has bracing both fore
and aft of the main hoop.

That's not the wording the Brian Hammer sent me regarding the roll cage rule revision being sent to the SEB.

[John Stimson]

That is what was published in the latest Fastrack as having been recommended to the Borad of Directors by the SEB.

Sometimes proposals get changed by the SEB.

Sometimes the wrong thing gets sent to the Board.

Sometimes there are errors in what is published in Fastrack.