Another New guy with a 3rd Gen

[drecords]

I do have 2 specific cage questions hopefully ya'll can help with. Let me know if I should move this question to the tech section....


1. Door Bars. I know the rules state 2 driver side bars that are at a height to protect the driver are needed. My car currently has 2 NASCAR style bars which extend up to the window opening of the door. While this seems safe from an impact perspective, it's really hard to get in and out of the car without even having gear on. I'm nervous to try with helmet, hans, etc... I really want to remove the upper bar for this reason. Removing the bar would leave the 2nd bar at the top bar which is ~24" from the ground at ride height, is this acceptable??

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2 Main Hoop/ Halo intersection. This car has what I believe is called a NASCAR plate design attaching the halo to the main hoop. I have worked with Will and confirmed the setup will be permitted to run in NASA per the CCR's because it is considered a mounting plate in which the tube terminates on. The issue is within CMC the car technically has too many mounting plates on the cage to be "legal" even though there is no real completive advantage. Would anyone within the community have issues with my car running in the CMC class as it is?? I'd love to fix the cage but basically it would have to be fully rebuilt and at this point I honest can't afford to do it, I've already spent way more than expected to get the car in condition to be on track


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On the door bars, I wouldn't specifically lower then unless you just can't. My car has door bars that are quite a bit lower though and has had a logbook since '03.

Back in college we built an E30 BMW that we did lemons with for a time and all got together one night and drank beer and practiced egress. Lemons at the time required that you prove you could get out of the car in a certain number of seconds.

I say all that to say, when you practice it you'll be suprised how fast you get and how easily you start contorting in.

[BryanL]

Welcome and great to have another join and with a third gen! Look forward to meeting you at Cresson. Certainly ask any and all questions as there is a wealth of knowledge here in between the posts poking fun and stating worthless opinions.

Records-I think you said you were an Aggie? getting together with some dudes to drink and practice egress together-I have never heard it called that.

[Gerno]

Is the mounting plate at the top of the hoop welded to the interior sheet metal of the car? It's really hard to tell in the picture but it looks like there is just a little spot on the upper left corner of the tube that is connected. The fact a plate was used doesn't really matter for CMC. The issue would be attachment points to the car. If it is welded to the car, is it possible to get in there and cut the attachment to the sheet metal of the car without hurting the integrity of the joint? If it's not attached there and it passes tech otherwise, that part would be legal for CMC.


Richard P.

Richard - you are correct there is a small spot where the cage is welded to the pillar. I can and was meaning to cut that weld but forgot about it. Thanks for pointing that out.

On the door bars, I wouldn't specifically lower then unless you just can't. My car has door bars that are quite a bit lower though and has had a logbook since '03.

Back in college we built an E30 BMW that we did lemons with for a time and all got together one night and drank beer and practiced egress. Lemons at the time required that you prove you could get out of the car in a certain number of seconds.

I say all that to say, when you practice it you'll be suprised how fast you get and how easily you start contorting in.

Agree it can be pretty quick with practice but still don't know if the bar really adds value. Measured against the nose of my car and the 2 lower bars should stop a side impact I'd think. Have a friend who ran a GT1 and Vintage car and he didn't like the upper bar in case of fire. Other thought is the car may pull double duty with WRL events and driver changes would be rough with the top bar in place.

Welcome and great to have another join and with a third gen! Look forward to meeting you at Cresson. Certainly ask any and all questions as there is a wealth of knowledge here in between the posts poking fun and stating worthless opinions.

Records-I think you said you were an Aggie? getting together with some dudes to drink and practice egress together-I have never heard it called that.

Ha Ha - Does sound like an Aggie thing....

[drecords]

Welcome and great to have another join and with a third gen! Look forward to meeting you at Cresson. Certainly ask any and all questions as there is a wealth of knowledge here in between the posts poking fun and stating worthless opinions.

Records-I think you said you were an Aggie? getting together with some dudes to drink and practice egress together-I have never heard it called that.

Also a group of 'BMW guys'

[Supercharged111]

Gerno my doors have been gutted so far, and my lower net mounting is kind of wonky, so I've ingressed/egressed my 4th gen with the door closed since 2013 and haven't had any problems getting out of the car with time to spare. It used to be that you had to egress in 10 seconds through an open door and 15 through a closed door (just checked CCR and it now specifies 15 seconds across the board) and I can easily be out in less than 10. I suppose this does depend on your "composition".

[Gerno]

Gerno my doors have been gutted so far, and my lower net mounting is kind of wonky, so I've ingressed/egressed my 4th gen with the door closed since 2013 and haven't had any problems getting out of the car with time to spare. It used to be that you had to egress in 10 seconds through an open door and 15 through a closed door (just checked CCR and it now specifies 15 seconds across the board) and I can easily be out in less than 10. I suppose this does depend on your "composition".

Think I'll probably leave it as is for now and see how things work out. Worse case I can remove the upper bar later.