okay, i'm not sure what i'm doing with a cage, so i figured i'd ask the experts here. i'm pretty sure i want a cage so i can go racing, so it's going to have to be legal. don't care about weld-in or bolt-in. however, i'd like a short summary of pro's and cons of 4-point vs. 6-point. i'm looking at autopower's 4-point, and possibly putting door bars on it. would a 6-point be much more rigid? would the door bars help that much in a crash? you get the idea. i searched, but i'm no cage whiz, so i probably didn't put in very good keywords.

also, what is the weight of a good 4-point or a good 6-point cage that will meet requirements? and finally, is a doorbar that goes diagonally towards the foot well the best type aka strongest?

 

OK, I'll bite...

If you want to race, build a car according to the rules of the organization and class that you are racing with. That would determine the design of your cage. Check out your organization's website and/or rulebook.

 

Please please please, don't waste your money on a bolt in cage. If you are going to do it, do it right. I see your signature says you're in Central Florida. If you would like, give me shout and I can have you stop by and look at the cage in my CRX.

 

well, weld-in suits me fine. really, my track time will be for pure pleasure. this car is my toy, and i have never made any attempt to build a car for a certain class. i modify to remove weak spots in performance. i race for fun.

 

keep in mind that once you put a full cage in a car, it essentially becomes deadly on the street since you don't wear a helmet...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by speedracer33 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">keep in mind that once you put a full cage in a car, it essentially becomes deadly on the street since you don't wear a helmet...</TD></TR></TABLE>
padding? i know lots of people who run cages on the street. i didn't think hitting your head on the padding was such a bad thing. and if you have a harness, your head won't be doing much moving, right?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 95lstegman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
padding? i know lots of people who run cages on the street. i didn't think hitting your head on the padding was such a bad thing. and if you have a harness, your head won't be doing much moving, right?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Even with padding, it will F you up if your bare head hits it.

and unless one of your harness straps is attached to your scull on each side, your head can easily fly around in a wreck.

and I am REALLY wondering how you can have a 4 point "cage" with door bars

doesn't 4 point mean main hoop (2) + two rear supports

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Greyout &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Even with padding, it will F you up if your bare head hits it.

and unless one of your harness straps is attached to your scull on each side, your head can easily fly around in a wreck.

and I am REALLY wondering how you can have a 4 point "cage" with door bars

doesn't 4 point mean main hoop (2) + two rear supports </TD></TR></TABLE>

He's thinking of NHRA style door bars - they run from shoulder height on the main hoop to driver/passenger foot.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 95lstegman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> ... i race for fun.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It would seem you might be confusing track/HPE days with "racing".

What do YOU consider "racing" to be?

 

i just want to get into track events. i think laping days you don't need a cage, and i might go for that, but i think in the end a real race would be more fun. i want something with a larger course than autoX provides. something with larger turns i mean, and a chance to use the engine and brakes for what they are really capable of. i'm not satisfied with autoX, but i don't know much about road racing rules and prices and stuff. i'm pretty sure road racing costs more $$$ than autoX since the venues are professional, not unused lots, but i would pay the extra to do something i think i will enjoy more. and if i don't, i won't do it any more.

are there any events coming up in central florida i can attend to get a feel for a day at the track or something?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 95lstegman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> ... are there any events coming up in central florida i can attend to get a feel for a day at the track or something?</TD></TR></TABLE>

There are a number of organizations that hold or sponsor track day type events, but I think a little research into the overall subject by reading and following the link(s) below will help you on your way (whichever that way may be).

http://www.nasaproracing.com/aboutnasa/index.html

http://www.scca.org/Educate/In...10&~=

Have fun ...

 

Autopower bar are known to fail so i wouldn't suggest it. Do some track days before thinking about doing some wheel to wheel racing.

 

so does HPDE require a cage? how much $$$ are we looking at for a track day?

 

HPDE does not require a cage, but personally I'd like all the protection I can get. Custom made cages are the way to go, NASA or SCCA can tell you where the fab shops are closest to you.

Remember its your head, can't do much if you lose it.

 

okay, for a $250 event, how much time will i be spending on the track? i kind of like the idea of an instructor, as long as i'm the one driving the car. but for $250 or so, i expect to be spending like 10am to 6pm on the track as much as the brakes and cooling system will allow. or maybe 2 days on the track for that price? someone please inform me. i'm a noobie to this and i'm not ashamed. h-t is where i tell people to go to learn stuff.

 

http://www.nasaracing.net/trackday/index.shtml

Some good info on HPDE's

 

You will be riding with an instructor until you reach Level 4. (I think) Usually there are 4 sessions, if you go to the NASA site http://www.nasaproracing.com it has a nice write up on what to expect and what to bring.

Go out, have fun and keep the shiny side up.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Fuuma0083 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Autopower bar are known to fail so i wouldn't suggest it. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I've never heard anything even suggesting that, unless you miss a turn at Pike's Peak.
Regardless, this isn't the time or place to have a significant discussion on the matter.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94accordsedan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You will be riding with an instructor until you reach Level 4. (I think) .</TD></TR></TABLE>

no just group 1


also i don't really bit to the roll cage is dangerous thing, ya if your 7 foot tall and drive a CRX and your head is already within reach of hitting part of the car, then i might think about it.

But production cars like a Jeep have the metal roll bar within easy reach of your dome.

Honestly your gone mess up your head weather you hit the roll bar or you hit the plastic that is covering up the metal of the car.


again to the original poster search around there is a GREAT STICKIED thread at the top

 

any idea about how much time i'll be spending on the track? that's a big deal when we're talking $300.

 

http://www.nasaracing.net/VIR_Feb_05/saturday.htm

Here is a NASA schedule from VIR. It will tell you exactly how much time you will be on the track and in class. This is typical of most organizations (some are more or less time.)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slammed_93_hatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">no just group 1</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well technically you do in group 2 also, until you are signed off solo. Which can change at the next track or even at another event at the same track.

Group 3 of course being advance solo and Group 4 being instructors.

Read the sticky at the top. Most HPDE's are a full weekend two days and your hard earned cash usually get's you two classroom sessions and three - four twenty-five minute sessions per day minimum. It's a small price to pay for top notch instructing both off track and on track as well as TONS of track time.

If you think that sounds expensive, try going wheel to wheel racing for double to triple that price at least per weekend.

The best part about driving events is you need NOTHING. Just check and change your vital fluids and make sure your car is in proper working order. For full information check out one of the tech sheets on the HPDE sites given.

The only thing most would recommend is some good pads and brake fluid. That's it. That's all you really "need".

 

only 2 hours on the track? i know i'll be novice class, but 2 hours for $300? yikes. i hope i have options for other places to have fun. maybe i will stick to autoX. i'm in college, and $30 is a lot easier than $300. thanks for all your help guys (and gals where applicable), but i think i'll stick to autocross.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr Hammond &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Well technically you do in group 2 also, until you are signed off solo. Which can change at the next track or even at another event at the same track.

Group 3 of course being advance solo and Group 4 being instructors..</TD></TR></TABLE>

this must be different from region to region, becuase thats not how its done here.

group 1 novice with instructor
group2 novice no instructor
group3 intermedate
group4 advanced, time trials, ect

 

You'll be very surprised... 2 hours is satisfying, albeit still expensive.

I would definitely look into "treating" yourself to one track day. Maybe put a few dollars aside...and then splurge on a track day. I do warn you... track days are very addictive and most of us will tell you that an illegal drug habit is cheaper than a track day addiction!