71OLDS
04-23-2008, 11:33 AM
Hi everyone,
Let me start by apologizing for how long this post is going to be. Lots of thought and research behind this. I'm still trying to find a way to do what most of this section has said can't be done. I'd like to be able to have 4 or 5 "track" days a year w/my 442 convertible and use it for good weather pleasure cruises/shows etc the rest of the time. Track days could include 1/4 mile runs, VIR (Virginia International Raceway club) open track days, solo II racing in Fed Ex stadium parking lot, etc. etc. All of the track days require a roll bar w/my convertible to attend. I know each has it's own set of rules (NHRA, SCCA, etc). I've read through most of the hand books and think I can do MOST of what I want to do w/a 6pt some say 5 pt is OK but basically something like this:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/rollbar-1.gif?t=1208976740
...the problem is I only need this a few days a year but without it I can't do ANY track days (maybe 1 run at local track faster then 13.49) VIR = no go, SOLO II = no go etc. Convertibles need rollbars and I understand and support safety.
So the other 359 days a year I don't want or need a rollbar. Originally I thought I could just go w/removable door bars and a removable crossbar in the back. But I also want to be able to take passengers for a cruise in the back seat on occassion. So my question is about removable down bars. I've never heard of anyone else doing this. I know even the removable cross bar is a no no for some tech inspectors but I think it would be easy to hide this type of removable part:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/m589dg-1.jpg?t=1208977538
Now I'm sure there could be some strict inspector at a certain track or maybe the VIR guidlines are more stict then my local 1/4 mile track ...so if I'm told I can NOT race because of ANY of the removable bars then so be it. That is a risk I'm willing to take. Obviously I could make the removalbe parts harder to see by covering w/padding etc. But my question is on the safety. How much am I compromising (safetywise) to have removable bars? That's a risk I don't want to take. It seems like these bars would still be extremely secure and solid but I'm no expert on this.
Here are some more pics:
Here's my back seat...tons of room back here and a great ride for passengers. Would hate to lose use of this:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/2106rearflushmount_speaker-1.jpg?t=1208977793
Here's a 71 Mustang conv w/a 4pt (actually this car has removable door bars too but not sure about a cross bar)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/2106Power_Tour_2001_San_Bernardino_-1.jpg?
So if these 2 down bars were removable with the allen key part shown above (one on top by the main hoop and one below in the seat well), then the back seat would still be safely usable when needed.
What I was hoping to do is install the main hoop and replace the stock lap belts w/3 pt belts attached to the hoop like this:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/rollbar1fz8-1.jpg?t=1208978235
Then add the door bars, cross bar, and down bars all with the removable allen key parts. I would like to cover the main hoop w/a white yearOne type (or mustang light bar) like this:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/161-1.jpg?t=1208978393
So most of the time I would run just the main hoop and maybe the down bars for support (only have back seat passengers maybe 20 times a year) running the 3 pt belts front and rear. Then on my track days I could install all the bars, add my 5 pt harness, install my padding (all in white to match interior and yearone cover) grab my helmet and off I'd go.
OK - feel much better now. Been going round and round my head with this for a while. Again sorry for this being so long please feel free to comment positive or negative. I'm really interested in hearing what safety issues I will have w/the removable bars. Thanks for everyone's help!
-Joe
Let me start by apologizing for how long this post is going to be. Lots of thought and research behind this. I'm still trying to find a way to do what most of this section has said can't be done. I'd like to be able to have 4 or 5 "track" days a year w/my 442 convertible and use it for good weather pleasure cruises/shows etc the rest of the time. Track days could include 1/4 mile runs, VIR (Virginia International Raceway club) open track days, solo II racing in Fed Ex stadium parking lot, etc. etc. All of the track days require a roll bar w/my convertible to attend. I know each has it's own set of rules (NHRA, SCCA, etc). I've read through most of the hand books and think I can do MOST of what I want to do w/a 6pt some say 5 pt is OK but basically something like this:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/rollbar-1.gif?t=1208976740
...the problem is I only need this a few days a year but without it I can't do ANY track days (maybe 1 run at local track faster then 13.49) VIR = no go, SOLO II = no go etc. Convertibles need rollbars and I understand and support safety.
So the other 359 days a year I don't want or need a rollbar. Originally I thought I could just go w/removable door bars and a removable crossbar in the back. But I also want to be able to take passengers for a cruise in the back seat on occassion. So my question is about removable down bars. I've never heard of anyone else doing this. I know even the removable cross bar is a no no for some tech inspectors but I think it would be easy to hide this type of removable part:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/m589dg-1.jpg?t=1208977538
Now I'm sure there could be some strict inspector at a certain track or maybe the VIR guidlines are more stict then my local 1/4 mile track ...so if I'm told I can NOT race because of ANY of the removable bars then so be it. That is a risk I'm willing to take. Obviously I could make the removalbe parts harder to see by covering w/padding etc. But my question is on the safety. How much am I compromising (safetywise) to have removable bars? That's a risk I don't want to take. It seems like these bars would still be extremely secure and solid but I'm no expert on this.
Here are some more pics:
Here's my back seat...tons of room back here and a great ride for passengers. Would hate to lose use of this:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/2106rearflushmount_speaker-1.jpg?t=1208977793
Here's a 71 Mustang conv w/a 4pt (actually this car has removable door bars too but not sure about a cross bar)
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/2106Power_Tour_2001_San_Bernardino_-1.jpg?
So if these 2 down bars were removable with the allen key part shown above (one on top by the main hoop and one below in the seat well), then the back seat would still be safely usable when needed.
What I was hoping to do is install the main hoop and replace the stock lap belts w/3 pt belts attached to the hoop like this:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/rollbar1fz8-1.jpg?t=1208978235
Then add the door bars, cross bar, and down bars all with the removable allen key parts. I would like to cover the main hoop w/a white yearOne type (or mustang light bar) like this:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/161-1.jpg?t=1208978393
So most of the time I would run just the main hoop and maybe the down bars for support (only have back seat passengers maybe 20 times a year) running the 3 pt belts front and rear. Then on my track days I could install all the bars, add my 5 pt harness, install my padding (all in white to match interior and yearone cover) grab my helmet and off I'd go.
OK - feel much better now. Been going round and round my head with this for a while. Again sorry for this being so long please feel free to comment positive or negative. I'm really interested in hearing what safety issues I will have w/the removable bars. Thanks for everyone's help!
-Joe