New side protection rules for 2010

960Mike · Powerhouse Poster

RE: New side protection rules for 2010

Stingray 2212 · Rehab Dropout...

Mike, are you sure about the roof bar compulsary 2009? The only reason I ask is that my car does not have one & I have been to two events this year, one was a state round, & I was not logged for it.

960Mike · Powerhouse Poster

The roof bar from the top of the A pillar to upper side bar was made compulsory but I just couldn't find it when looking on the online manual. It used to be for buggies with a 700mm or longer roof span but was changed this year so all cars had to have it which I think was a smart idea. Seriously, look at your car side on and look at the protection YOU have for yourself. While is a pain in the A__ to add bars its also for your safety!!! A mild rollover without that bar will make the roof collapse to a straight line from the roll cage to where its mounted on the upper side bar so where is that going to put your head?

We all think "it will never happen to us" and 99.99% of the time that is the case but its not worth whinging and having an arguement with anyone just because you can't be bothered to make your car safe. Im passionate about racing and want to be safe doing it but don't want the .01% to happen to me and stop me from racing for good.

Regards,

Michael

CJ_DT · Powerhouse Poster

Michael, can you use the roof support bar with a bend in the hip rail, because if so you would be doing the method in 4.2b, but with a bend, which it clearly states this method cannot have a bend?

Magila · Forum Addict

Hey WOW I measured the hornet tonight, the old girl misses out by a wopping 75mm
oh well, buy some tube and go the hack

and probably be a lot safer for it

william · Rehab Dropout...

i have just re read the rules and i think that method 2 would alllow us with bent hip rails to fit a new bent tube above the existing one as long as it is tied in with another support bar. i think the drawing is just misleading.

if you read it. it says a bar joining front to back with 1 support bar. it doesn't say where this bar should be located. the drawing i guess is one way you might do it. (not sure why but you might)

960Mike · Powerhouse Poster

The way I read it is method 1 and Diagram 4.2b can only be applied if you have adequate room with a STRAIGHT bar from the rear hoop to the front leg. I would imagine that the older cars that are most likely to need to be changed will be quite narrow and fitting a straight bar will be almost impossible while maintaining sufficient room as to not bang your elbows and shoulders on the Upper Side Bar. This STRAIGHT bar does not require to be tied in according to the diagram and wording but I would suggest that it should be for increased occupant safety.

Method 2 and Diagram 4.2c gives the competitor the most amount of freedom while making it the easiest to adapt to any buggy. A bend in the Upper Side Bar is allowed and the owner of the vehicle or competitor has the DISCRETION of where the supporting bar is located! If this is adapted with the additional supporting member as per the diagram but on a single bend along the Upper Side Bar and the compulsory roof support bar also mounted to the same bend then this will make the buggy the safest in a side impact.

It depends if your rear hoop is vertical when looked at side on or is angled either forward or backward as to whether the roof support bar could be tied in to a bend in the Upper Side Bar. My car is done this way with a forward inclination of 10 degrees and will provide excellent occupant protection while enabling sufficient room while seated and for entry / exit space.

Regards,

Michael

Stingray 2212 · Rehab Dropout...

Who is it that decides what is "adequate exit space", is it the owner/driver or can a scrutineer rule that the space is inadequate.

procrastination · Forum Junkie

any body got any photos of there mods
my car is very narrow and unsure which way to go

scooter · Forum Addict

Just finished the the side intrusion up dates to my old car. $100 in steel 1x 6pak of bundy 1x sick day from work. It took longer for the paint to dry than do the job. The car is most definatly a safer thing, but it hurts the old class 3 racer in me to add so much weight to the car

my navigator will need to start his diet asap

Kick my dog · In rehab

Are you going to race it?

scooter · Forum Addict

THOUGHT I MAY CRASH IT AGIAN AT MILBRODALE

Stingray 2212 · Rehab Dropout...

Just a question, & I don't know the answer. If someone elects to do this job themselves & makes a mess of it. Lets say they do birdtish welds & blow holes in the rear roll hoop, then grind it all up so as it looks pretty, Is the car stronger or weaker than it was before?

For the record I am not a welder so I payed someone that is to do my car.