Is the Type R structurally solid enough to track the car safely wthout a rollbar? am I crazy for doing this?

 

only crazy if you put in a 4/5/6 point harness that would compress your spine in a rollover accident.

it is a good idea, but we don't all have $$ coming out of our ***.

D - who want's a full fuggin cage.

 

This question comes up a lot, and I basically think it's the same argument as motorcycle riding without a helmet (if your state allows it). There are so many people that are willing to take chances that you almost start to think that it doesn't matter. Personally, I'm not comfortable competing with my car (taking it to it's limits in any venue) without a 6 (or 5) point harness, helmet, and rollover protection.

Having said that...if you plan to use your R for open tracking days where you're not competing or pushing really hard, you are fairly safe wearing a helmet and the OEM 3 point restraints. I've seen pictures of R's that have rolled, and they hold up pretty well, but being pretty much safe is not good enough for me. We all know racing (like mountain biking, rock climbing, or anything else I do) is dangerous, but that doesn't mean we should take unnecessary chances.

Or you could get some monkey bars

[edit]Photo op!![/edit]






[Modified by ITR#231, 9:43 PM 10/6/2001]

 

Ron,
You already know the answer to your question. Do you need a roll bar? Yes and no? It is the same as the helmet question. You don't need protection, until you need it !

I know you loved the track day at Limerock, but presently you are:
1. Risking your car at more track days
2. Risking your car and your life at more track days without a roll bar

You have to make the decision to make your ITR a "toy" or a real car. (Real car means you need the functionality of the back seat, hatch, etc. etc.) You can't have both. That is why I bought the Miata. I wanted a car that I could take to the track without worrying about crashing, or worrying about whether I can fit a roll cage and a car seat for kids or back seat for friends. The hard thing is that the ITR is such a great track car that tracking it seems natural.
This is why my ITR is autocross only. It is still fun and I can still keep it as a "real car." Make a final decision with your ITR, the fantasy life or real life. Only if you could have two ITR's !
See you at Englishtown and we can talk more.