In reference to the windshield pillar in the first picture, I’m seeing more and more cages built with this type of reinforcing. Is this a consequence of weaker windshield pillars on newer cars or are these providing large benefits in increased rigidity or a need for large safety margins in higher speed cars? This is the new RSX WC seen at SEMA. Also interesting the chassis appears to have a sun roof plug and they are using an accumulator with the newer engine never noticed these at SEMA, only after looking at the pictures.













[Modified by DB1-R81, 12:31 AM 12/16/2002]

 

nothing new, its been done for years. just another way to attach the chassis and cage.

 

in all curiosity, what seat is in that car?

 

In many classes (notably ECHC and IT) it isn't legal to tie the cage into the A-pillars. If it were, I would do it in a second.

Kirk

 

It's there to tie the cage to the unibody, which makes the whole thing stiffer. Not legal in SCCA SS, Touring, or IT.

Is that a walking cane by the driver's seat?

 

wtf is that hook on the cage next to the drivers head....
That can't be good.

 

helmet hook
A place to hang your helmet while you aren't wearing it.


[Modified by XR4racer, 9:50 AM 12/16/2002]

 

Is it legal to brace the cage it self like in IT? I am talking a small corner brace where 2 parts of the cage meet.

 

helmet hook
i like the new seating position too. way back with new pedels and extended steering colum.
-spenc....who could probably drive the car with the stock pedal opsittion and new seat position.

 

yeah, its called a gusset. you can have as many reinforcements as you want, just no more than 6+2 mounts to the chassis.

 

As far as I know, any kind of joint gusset is OK - tubular (like above), plate, or the rolled sheetmetal type.

Kirk

EDIT - In fact, GCR 18.1.7.a says that "It is recommended that gussets be used at all joints."



[Modified by Knestis, 3:29 AM 12/18/2002]

 

We had helmet hooks in our rally car, behind the seats. That thing looks like a good prong to hang your frontal lobe on in the really big crash...

K

 

are tubing sizes free outside of the main loops/6+2 points? ie, additional cross bracing, gussets, can thinner tubes/gauges be used? for IT.

i need to pick up a rule book for 2003...



[Modified by GhettoRacer, 4:24 PM 12/18/2002]

 

no kidding. i've seen them hang the steering wheel on that hook, but damn at least put it on the passenger side of the car.

 

I wasnt really using it anyways

 

kirk can answer this, cant you sir?

 

Hah! I wish. This is like the dash bar and "must have a weld-in cage" goofiness that some tech people perpetrate on the unwary.

GCR 18.1.6.c defines the minimum tubing OD and thickness "for all required roll cage elements". Some people (incorrectly, according to the text) generalize this to mean that ANY tube used in the cage must be of the minimum spec'd OD and wall - which is really stoopid.

If a cage is safe with a particular diagonal made of 0.00x.000 tube (aka "no steel at all") how can it be anything but safer with 1.5x.065 diagonals? Geez.

Kirk

 

Which is the exact opposite of the TransAm rules - where only the main hoop is specified and the rest can be electrical conduit (if you're that stupid, which some of the teams are).

 

where would one go to buy a steering wheel hook like that?

 

Hello?!!! Use some common sense people. The hook is NOT hung right in front of the driver. Based on the position of the STOCK rearview mirror I would venture to say the hook is in the middle of the car.


Now if you can hit that hook in the center of the car with your head while held firmly in place with a 6-point harness then you have a lot more to worry about besides the location of that hook.


Drew - Who doesn't see any actual racers complaining about the hook and/or its location

 

Looks like a Corsa... maybe a Touring.

 

i dont like the hook over driver seat

hmm how much weight did your car get? better to use no plate in floor or roof or over the shift (just body things)

lol i though my cage inside was heavy but your are too much (i just anti-rool bar and pipe to front and then orginal furnishings and nothing else on roof or in floor)

 

It's not, it's near the middle. Just looks like it's in front of driver.

In the USA, we are required a full cage, with main hoop, two rearward braces, two forward braces that go down the side of the windshield, door bars, and some bracing inside the main hoop. Many people also add gussets, Petty bar (diagonal from just right of driver's head to passenger floor area), additional rearward bracing (to add chassis stiffness and protect fuel cell), and other stuff.

Since we usually have minimum weights set in the rules (and that weight accounts for the basic cage), adding a few extra tubes doesn't hurt much. A basic cage weighs about 150lbs, the one pictured above is probably more like 175lbs.


[Modified by Crack Monkey, 11:56 AM 12/19/2002]

 

It's not an Evo, the side bolsters rise up too fast from the front cushion...

 

corsa


touring