In message <20000828205543.7808.qmail@web2005.mail.yahoo.com>, Greg Umbay write
s:
> --0-1102520059-967496143=:3707
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>
> maybe I can help with some of my experiences in ordering my roll cage. If y
> ou are looking for "Solo 1" legal, then you need a full roll cage. For open
> track and schools you can get race roll bar from IO Port racing. Here is wha
> t I found out in my research,
Solo I does not require a full cage. Road racing does, but Solo I only
requires a bar. Or at least that was the case last year when I read
the rules. I suspect I'd have heard if they made a change like that
for 2000.
Hard Dog makes a Solo I bar, which they call the Hard Core. I bought
mine last summer through Team Miata (www.teammiata.com). They
recommended a fellow in Concord to do the install. He's a mechanic for
a Mazda dealer and does the installs on weekends at his home.
He charged me either $200 or $250 (can't recall which), and did a
fantastic job. I considered it to be well worth the money, since most
people who do it themselves seem to take 2 full days, and this guy did
the whole job in less than 4 hours. He's done a lot of them and it
shows.
Hard Dog also makes a lighter bar called the Sport, which doesn't pass
Solo I requirements, but many people have done track events with
it with no problems. I've seen a couple of pictures of Miatas that
have rolled with the Sport bar, and the bar held up just fine (and
probably saved lives - see http://www.bethania-garage.com/newpage1.htm).
The SCCA requirements are "one size fits all", and define a bar
that is strong enough for a much heavier car than the Miata. So
you can go with a bar that doesn't pass the Solo I standards and
still have all the protection you will need.
The key things you want are that it should be above your head, and
should have adequate back and side bracing. If you're using a 4 or 5
point harness, the top of the bar should be 2 inches above the top of
your helmet.
I've got a Hard Dog Hard Core with the double diagonal bracing (HDHCDD).
It's Solo I legal, and is stronger than a Miata really needs, but
I'll never have to worry about whether or not a track event will
let me run. The Sport bar is certainly strong enough, as proven by
people who have rolled onto them. I've never heard of someone being
turned away froma track event with a Sport bar, but I suppose it
*could* happen. I can't imagine being turned away with a Hard Core,
unless they're requiring full cages.
Autopower also makes a bar for the Miata, but I've never seen one or
heard from someone who has one, so I can't give much advice about
their stuff. They do have a good reputation. I *think* their bar
limits the travel of the passenger seat, but I'm not sure.
Keith Hearn
'99 Miata 10AE "Sexy Sadie" the Sapphire Shark
B-Stock
Milpitas, CA
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