Helmet to roll cage clerance
Discussion
Havig problems mounting the drivers seat low enough to comply with diagram in MSA Blue book which shows the top if helmet needing to be 5cm below bottom of main hoop. After a weekend of fettling I have 1.5 cm from top of helmet to bottom of main hoop, wondering how strictly the 5cm rule is enforced in most club racing series?
If you have a closed car, no one is likely to see!
An open one, you may get called in, Black & Orange, or else after called to see Chief Scrute.
Up to him/her, warning and told to sort it by next time, but you could be disqulaified.
Can you mount the seat any further forwards for more clearance?
John
An open one, you may get called in, Black & Orange, or else after called to see Chief Scrute.
Up to him/her, warning and told to sort it by next time, but you could be disqulaified.
Can you mount the seat any further forwards for more clearance?
John
A couple of observations from a medical rescue point of view if I may?
Firstly, you want to try to avoid any helmet <=> cage interaction in the event of an accident and that includes rollovers.
Secondly, in the event of an accident that requires you to be removed from the car other than under your own steam, you are certain to find that it has had the roof removed forcibly (it doesn't even need to have been an accident that would otherwise have meant a need to bin the car.
Finally, in the event of a serious accident, it may be impossible for a rescuer to remove your helmet (if you are unable to do it yourself) and the implications are that critical interventions may be delayed.
The MSA rules are there for a reason and I'm not sure that seeking to avoid enforcement isn't a bit 'silly'' if I'm honest.
Maybe try a seat with a less upright backrest?
Firstly, you want to try to avoid any helmet <=> cage interaction in the event of an accident and that includes rollovers.
Secondly, in the event of an accident that requires you to be removed from the car other than under your own steam, you are certain to find that it has had the roof removed forcibly (it doesn't even need to have been an accident that would otherwise have meant a need to bin the car.
Finally, in the event of a serious accident, it may be impossible for a rescuer to remove your helmet (if you are unable to do it yourself) and the implications are that critical interventions may be delayed.
The MSA rules are there for a reason and I'm not sure that seeking to avoid enforcement isn't a bit 'silly'' if I'm honest.
Maybe try a seat with a less upright backrest?
Edited by teletubby on Monday 26th September 16:33
What type of car.is this for? Ive seen many people cut/lower the floor to drop the seat for height reasons! We race TVRs, our old wedge had the floor cut and a plate welded in to drop the seat an inch or so. Our Griff (open top) has the cage going higher but in hindsight wpuld've been better to drop the floor (wouldve looked nicer.lol).
As has been said, in a closed car I dont think I've ever seen it checked, and i dont think i've ever driven a closed car with anything like 50mm, more like zero, or worse top of helmet above cage and touching the roof.... not clever in a roll....
I generally drive open top so its very visible and has been a real pita to get low enough. indeed the Tuscan has the extra homologated hoop on the top of the cage to achieve this...
and even then i have the floor cut out and plates welded to the bottom of the chassis rails and a Kirkey alloy seat bolted direct to that... SO I actually sit only about 5mm from the bottom of the chassis rails and lower than the top of them. Im only 6ft but short legs and long body.
Seat choice can make a big difference a kirkey will get you lowest and a tillet almost a s low as there is a bow in the seat for your bum that goes to the floor. Kirkey is the easiest to get low but american so no fia sticker for spa.
other options are moving the seat forward and tilting it back.
I generally drive open top so its very visible and has been a real pita to get low enough. indeed the Tuscan has the extra homologated hoop on the top of the cage to achieve this...
and even then i have the floor cut out and plates welded to the bottom of the chassis rails and a Kirkey alloy seat bolted direct to that... SO I actually sit only about 5mm from the bottom of the chassis rails and lower than the top of them. Im only 6ft but short legs and long body.
Seat choice can make a big difference a kirkey will get you lowest and a tillet almost a s low as there is a bow in the seat for your bum that goes to the floor. Kirkey is the easiest to get low but american so no fia sticker for spa.
other options are moving the seat forward and tilting it back.
Graham said:
As has been said, in a closed car I dont think I've ever seen it checked, and i dont think i've ever driven a closed car with anything like 50mm, more like zero...
Same here - very little clearance in an Elise or MR2, not much more in a Boxster - even with the seat practically on the floor. And I'm under 5ft 11ins.Gassing Station | UK Club Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff