All of the info I have seen about restraints for DE's say they must be "equal for both driver and passenger". As long as they are both 6 point harnesses, I can't imagine there would be a problem. In the end, however, it will most likely be up to your instructor.
I don't know about you, but I am ready to get back to VIR! We definately did not get enough open track time. It's funny... I don't remember ever "seeing" you on the track, but I received pictures back and have one with you direclty in front of me and one with me directly in front of you.
Hey Kirk - haha...well, I remember catching up to you on the first day and passing you - you must have blocked that memory out!
If you have any digital copies of the pics, I'd like to see them. bluez06@earthlink.net I'm headed back up with the audi club next month and mazda in June - hope to see you there!
As far as the roof of a Z06 crushing on a roll over.......they do. There is a built in roll bar at the top of the roof line just forward of the rear window. It's well done but it's well behind the collapsing of the front windscreen and the post that hold it up. I'm a road racer and have a full 8 point cage with cross bar in the middle of the dash. For the most part you guys doing de events are not going a lot slower than we are. In the event of a roll over you can use all the help you can get. I believe in the cage. I'm a little biased.........I had to use mine once and I just simply walked away from a car that every body panel and inter panel destroyed. The cage did it's job well and the car is back on the track again(with a carbon fiber body). Thanks for listening
Tony #54
p.s. It wasn't my fault!!!!!
__________________
Tony
02 Red/White/Blue Full Cage B&W Shifter T1 Suspension kit. 18"CCW Wheels Most Body Parts are Carbon Fiber
Thanks Tony. I was more looking at a 4-point solo I bar (like from Kirk), which doesn't sound like it would help. I'm leaning towards a harness bar for now - eventually getting into a cage (the door bars are the feature I'd like most), but it would kill the car's value.
Freefall,
I tend to agree with Tony. It was that difficult decision that eventually drove me into SCCA T1 with a full cage. I couldn't decide whether to do harness bar, four point, or cage. Went something like this. I need a harness bar for a DE... well four point isn't that much more than a harness bar... well full cage isn't all that much more than a four point and a lot safer... no to much... harness bar would be fine... no, four point isn't that much more... well a cage isn't that much more and is much safer... what the heck... I'm going T1.
As Tony said, I've done times in a stock Z06 that would've put me near the front of an SCCA T1 grid. In fact, many DE guys have a full T1 supsension and DOT R compound tires as I do, but don't have the 160lb roll cage penalty and may even be faster.
Good luck making a tough decision... maybe you'll end up in T1 with me.
I hear that - don't know why people ask me if my next vette will have four wheel drive...something about the oak tree and mud???
subdriver - your first paragraph follows my exact thought process...you navy boys must have some new mind reading toys or something! For now, I think I'll just do a harness bar. The cage's biggest advantages seem to be added a-pillar rigidity (preventing the windshield supports from collapsing) and protection from a side impact (much more likely). As my speeds increase and I start running in less restricted groups, I'll be much more inclince to install a cage. After all, I'm sure my wife would rather kill me for putting a cage in the vette, then get an injury that could have been prevented.
I'm going to recommend a back half T-1 cage like MYSR71 had done in his.
Seriously sturdy, clean install, retains stock belts, and ready to accept the rest of the cage when you want more metal.
I love my full cage and don't give a hoot about any ding the car's value may have taken.
Hey guys- I've just read this thread, as I've got the same dilemma. These Vettes (especially the Z06's) are so darn fast, I would feel much better with some level of protection, as well as a good seat and 6 pt harnesses.
I've pretty much decided to go with the 4 pt roll bar rather than just a harness bar (brey-krause's sure it pretty), but a full cage is not an option since I still want to drive the car on the street.
Of the many choices for bolt-in (with welded mount plates), which is the recommended brand? I've seen Autopower, Kirk Racing, Wolfe, Corvette Garage, and more.
Prices vary widely, but is there a certain spec (bar diameter, wall thickness, etc.) that I should be looking at? I know that DOM or Chromoly is the way to go, in case I ever do want to go full-race and add in the rest of the cage. ERW is out.
My full cage Z06 is my daily driver April - November. Don't rule it out so quickly. All they need is a little soft padding around your head for street use.
Many of the kits I've seen weld plates onto the bulkhead above the fuel tanks, my cage goes through the bulkhead right down to the frame rails (much better IMO).
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