Lighter = Faster (N/A build thread #2)

[infernosg]

Originally Posted by C. Ludwig

The SCCA rule book is available for free download and the cage rules are pretty well defined. NASA basically copies SCCA safety rules. I think, kind of like ASSuming, you need backing plates on the underside of the floorpan for bolt-in cages. The lay-engineer in me likes your idea but I don't know if it will pass tech.

Jealous of a clean FC shell. Makes me want to build another ITS car.

Yep, read through both the NASA CCR and SCCA GCR and came to the same conclusion. The mechanical engineer in me agrees with you but you can't argue with the rules. While the regulations are for "competition" and I don't plan on going any higher than TT I'd rather conform to the competition rules than do my own thing and get constantly questioned about it.

The shell is pretty clean - definitely better than I though it would be considering it spent it's life in WI! Next time I'm at the shop I'll snap some pics of the trouble spots.

Originally Posted by WE3RX7

(snip)

See above. I was progressing through HPDE when the red car blew up back in '11. I don't plan on building this to be competitive in any particular class but I'll likely do a TT every now and then to compete with friends. This will be a "weekend fun car" only. Otherwise, I understand where you're coming from completely.

The roll bar I have (Kirk Racing), when used as intended, conforms to all SCCA and NASA regulations. I understand it won't ever be as strong as a welded-in cage but I'll still have some semblance of an interior and want the convenience of being able to remove the bar as needed. Since I plan on taking this to the occasional meet (e.g. DGRR) I don't want to have to climb over/around bars ever time I get into/out of the car.

I asked the shop to weld 1/8" plates to the floor pan and rockers to strengthen the mounting points and they came up with the idea I described above (basically a plinth box for a bolt-in cage). A quick Google search didn't find anything similar but the CCR and GCR were both pretty clear about the need for backing plates.