New Roll cage Questions

[Toplevel]

Hello, just looking for some opinions on my new cage. Its a prefabbed cage from kirk racing, so everything was precut(for the most part). I jave it tacked in place right now, making sure everything fits correctly.

Is there any problem with where the door hoops mount to the floor at? To me it seems like the door hoops should be further forward, like more into the dash. But it is pushed forward all the way it will go.

Im guessing it will be ok, because i dont really see rules against that, just want some opinions from you guys. Oh and just so you know i have thoroughly read the rule book on cage rules, about whats allowed, minimum angles the bars must be at and such.

OHH and im short, so thats why the seat is mounted so far forward.

[Andy Bettencourt]

I hate the threads that ask for opinions on stuff that is impossible to correct for free. Cages are so 'personal'. Pre-fabbed stuff is always a compromise and people usually choose them for cost reasons.

Feedback (all IMHO):

- Have someone do the optional 7th and 8th points to the firewall. From your foot to your knee is exposed. BAD.

- Conncect your NASCAR bars. I would bet most cars would open those up like a tuna can if you got t-boned. Not seeing much side impact protection in that at all.

- Tha dash bar looks WAY to close but I guess you won't hit your hands on it

- How are you going to mount your seat-back-brace? The cage is REALLY far from your aluminum seat...

It's always a cost vs. benefit thing...spend a little extra now.

[Gibson]

It is my understanding that if you prefer you could remove the dash, slide the cage forward, then fit the dash back over it, is that correct?

And I second both the previous suggestions, the door bars need reinforced and you need more leg protection.

Edit: On second glance, I see it is as far forward as the A pillars and roof will allow.

[seckerich]

I have to agree with Andy here. You need to make the best of a bad situation. By that I mean that this cage is barely safe and is an injury waiting to happen. Way too far away from the main hoop for seat brace and belt mounting. Front down tubes leave you exposed to get your knees crushed. Best you could do if you use this is to run the tubes to the optional firewall mounts in a V shape. One from the top front of the door bars down to firewall and one from the lower door bars forward. This will close up the area and still count as one mounting point per side. Might loop the shoulder bar forward in the main hoop to cut down the distance instead of just a straight tube. Most drivers loop it back for more clearance so you would still be legal. Box the down tubes of the front hoop to the rockers, floor only is not safe. Car looks too nice to have that cage. Might contact a cage builder in your area and see if they would just bend you some front down tubes that go more forward. Sorry if this sounds cruel but I have seen the A pillar driven over toward the tunnel and your legs will never be the same.

[Toplevel]

Thanx guys. Thats exactly what im looking for. Food for thought!

[ed325its]

I agree with Steve. Have someone design and bend new front down tubes that move them and that knee breaker front brace behind the dash.

[joeg]

It is perfectly legal as is, but since you asked for opinions, everything said above should be taken in like a sponge.

I like the idea of extending the A-pillar tubes to another mounting point, but I don't think your knees are at risk with the cross bar.

You could actually cut out the main hoop brace behind the seat and "flip it" to have a better seat brace distance to span.

[GTIspirit]

...Best you could do if you use this is to run the tubes to the optional firewall mounts in a V shape. One from the top front of the door bars down to firewall and one from the lower door bars forward. This will close up the area and still count as one mounting point per side.

Is this allowed in IT? I see a lot of pictures of cages with a V-shaped arrangement to the dash panel, but the rules specifically say one tube....

9.4.C.3.

Cars competing in Improved Touring, Showroom Stock, Spec Miata, and Touring may extend one tube, from each front down tube, forward to the firewall but not penetrating the firewall.

I don't see how the V-arrangement can be considered one tube, or is this legal because one tube comes from the front downtube and one tube comes from the front baseplate???? Since any number of tubes can connect to the limited number of baseplates......

9.4.G.6.

Any number of additional tube elements is permitted within the boundaries of the minimum cage structure.

[GTIspirit]

Oops, double post.

[betamotorsports]

Is this allowed in IT? I see a lot of pictures of cages with a V-shaped arrangement to the dash panel, but the rules specifically say one tube...

Incorrect. Figure 16 on page 149 shows one tube but none of the wording in 9.4.2 for a Showroom Stock cage or in 9.4.3 for a Touring cage mentions one tube. I would allow a V forward brace if the apex of the V met at one mounting point on the firewall - particularly in this case.

EDIT: Never mind, one tube forward to the firewall is correct. I was reading the Appendix. Sorry for the confusion.

[CRallo]

Incorrect. Figure 16 on page 149 shows one tube but none of the wording in 9.4.2 for a Showroom Stock cage or in 9.4.3 for a Touring cage mentions one tube. I would allow a V forward brace if the apex of the V met at one mounting point on the firewall - particularly in this case.

Current GCR? My understanding is that wording was changed...