Discussion
I am looking into improving the safety of my Chimaera now that i compete regularly.
At the moment its pure drag racing but i also want to make the car safe for sprints, hill climbs and circuits.
I was at the AGM of a grass roots drag racing series i competed in last year called NSCC (National Street Car Championship). At York raceway when i got close to running 11's while competing in their Hotrod Challenge i was told i would have to fit a rear roll bar to comply with race regs. I fitted a bolt in 4 point TR lane bar and they were happy with that. I have now run 11.2 and as i am getting close to running 10's the NSCC have told me i need to make some changes. Looking at NHRA guidelines it looks like as a minimum i need a bolt in diagonal door bar that crosses between the shoulder and elbow height. Ideally i need a 6 point cage, preferably welded in.
I have been pointed in the direction of a cage builder that has quoted me £850 to scratch build a full cage that will be to FIA and SFI standard that would be tagged to 8.50 in a hard top car. He needed to check but thought it would tag to 9.99 in the Chimaera.
As ever until i get my next job, finances are really tight and i intend to just have the door bar made and fitted to comply enought to keep racing this year. I do intend to fit a full cage as soon as i can.
I am also looking to fit a harness and know i need a 5 point as minimum.
So i am looking for opinions, advice etc especially from those that already race or work in the field.
At the moment its pure drag racing but i also want to make the car safe for sprints, hill climbs and circuits.
I was at the AGM of a grass roots drag racing series i competed in last year called NSCC (National Street Car Championship). At York raceway when i got close to running 11's while competing in their Hotrod Challenge i was told i would have to fit a rear roll bar to comply with race regs. I fitted a bolt in 4 point TR lane bar and they were happy with that. I have now run 11.2 and as i am getting close to running 10's the NSCC have told me i need to make some changes. Looking at NHRA guidelines it looks like as a minimum i need a bolt in diagonal door bar that crosses between the shoulder and elbow height. Ideally i need a 6 point cage, preferably welded in.
I have been pointed in the direction of a cage builder that has quoted me £850 to scratch build a full cage that will be to FIA and SFI standard that would be tagged to 8.50 in a hard top car. He needed to check but thought it would tag to 9.99 in the Chimaera.
As ever until i get my next job, finances are really tight and i intend to just have the door bar made and fitted to comply enought to keep racing this year. I do intend to fit a full cage as soon as i can.
I am also looking to fit a harness and know i need a 5 point as minimum.
So i am looking for opinions, advice etc especially from those that already race or work in the field.
How will the door bars attach to comply without the rest of the cage being fitted??
That sounds a good price, do you have a design off him what he would be doing. Im assuming it would be around the screen and would be linked from this to rollbar across following the top section of the windows??
Are you going to change the seats?? I thought about trying to find some slim ones that wrap around at the top so a cage could be fitted around/behind this and offer some sort of protection against your head hitting the bar on the road.
Its all very well having a cage for track etc but on the road a bump could mean big damage to your head.
That sounds a good price, do you have a design off him what he would be doing. Im assuming it would be around the screen and would be linked from this to rollbar across following the top section of the windows??
Are you going to change the seats?? I thought about trying to find some slim ones that wrap around at the top so a cage could be fitted around/behind this and offer some sort of protection against your head hitting the bar on the road.
Its all very well having a cage for track etc but on the road a bump could mean big damage to your head.
neal1980 said:
How will the door bars attach to comply without the rest of the cage being fitted??
That sounds a good price, do you have a design off him what he would be doing. Im assuming it would be around the screen and would be linked from this to rollbar across following the top section of the windows??
Are you going to change the seats?? I thought about trying to find some slim ones that wrap around at the top so a cage could be fitted around/behind this and offer some sort of protection against your head hitting the bar on the road.
Its all very well having a cage for track etc but on the road a bump could mean big damage to your head.
I can have a door bar made to bolt in. Means welding a bracket to the current roll bar. I have points on my outriggers that i can bolt to. These are similar to the seatbelt points but located near the front of the door. So enough is do-able at this stage just to please the NSCC and comply for racing this year but i admit not ideal in the long term.That sounds a good price, do you have a design off him what he would be doing. Im assuming it would be around the screen and would be linked from this to rollbar across following the top section of the windows??
Are you going to change the seats?? I thought about trying to find some slim ones that wrap around at the top so a cage could be fitted around/behind this and offer some sort of protection against your head hitting the bar on the road.
Its all very well having a cage for track etc but on the road a bump could mean big damage to your head.
The full cage will be at least a 6 point. See 'Caged' from Frome's designs. Similar but welded i think. All material and welding will be to spec.
Yes i will need a better seat but the standard is ok for now.
For a multi point harness to work correctly then a seat with suitable holes will be required. Particularly anti-submarining slot under the groin. a 5 point or preferably 6 point should locate through this and back.
The road / no helmet issue is a problem. Design i guess has to have the bars within a certain distance. Yes better seats will help as will proper padding. Mounting the seat as low as possible will also help but there is only so much room in a TVR at the end of the day.
it might be worth giving str8six a bell, they are converting CHimaeras to circuit race spec and that needs a full cage. so will have had a cage designed and set up for production. should be cheaper than getting a one off made.
iirc caged have done at least one chim full cage and possibly performance protection as well... roll center are a good option as well.
iirc caged have done at least one chim full cage and possibly performance protection as well... roll center are a good option as well.
I had also posted about adding saftey (namely cage or at least a door bar) to my car on the York raceway forum.
All the NSCC races will be at York again this year due to concerns about liability and other legal issues. York races under its own IOPD licence so these things should be covered.
Anyway, and as I first thought, it seems my current roll bar is sufficient to enable me to race down to 10.00, I am only gunning for a 10.99. There is a possibility this may only apply to hardtops so this is being rechecked.
I still want to fit a cage but in the current climate i just cant afford to spend that sort of money yet. I did hear rumour (again) of a good prospect in the pipeline, so if that happens i will get the car to the cage builders asap.
All the NSCC races will be at York again this year due to concerns about liability and other legal issues. York races under its own IOPD licence so these things should be covered.
Anyway, and as I first thought, it seems my current roll bar is sufficient to enable me to race down to 10.00, I am only gunning for a 10.99. There is a possibility this may only apply to hardtops so this is being rechecked.
I still want to fit a cage but in the current climate i just cant afford to spend that sort of money yet. I did hear rumour (again) of a good prospect in the pipeline, so if that happens i will get the car to the cage builders asap.
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