Cabriolet on a track? Hardtop exceptable, or do you need a rollcage o

[carDorque]

I've heard tracks won't let a convertible race without an SCCA approved roll cage. Do you guys know if some tracks will let you race with a hardtop on your convertible? Actually, would it even make it safer at all? Or, would you need a proper roll cage or roll bar?

Also, hardtops wouldn't add any stiffness, right? I would think the connections aren't load bearing.

I'm in the Santa Barbara area, btw.

[gandrade1]

I've heard tracks won't let a convertible race without an SCCA approved roll cage. Do you guys know if some tracks will let you race with a hardtop on your convertible? Actually, would it even make it safer at all? Or, would you need a proper roll cage or roll bar?

Also, hardtops wouldn't add any stiffness, right? I would think the connections aren't load bearing.

I'm in the Santa Barbara area, btw.

Hi carDorque,

The hardtop doesn't make any difference in terms of safety... In fact, I believe you are not encouraged to use one at the track.

Check with your local PCA. I believe your car has a retractable rollbar, but if you can 'open' it during the inspection and pass the broomstick test you are OK for most tracks. Some tracks have specific regs...

This is what I could find in the NNJR PCA website:

Boxster and Cabriolet Owners Please Note:

Zone 1 has adopted a rule on open cars. "All open cars must have roll bars which conform to the following: With the occupant(s) firmly and correctly belted into the vehicle, the occupant(s) helmet must be below a straight line drawn between the top of the windshield and the top of the roll bar (Broomstick Test). It is further recommended that roll bar be padded in any area that may come in contact with the occupant(s) helmet." NNJR has adopted this rule.

This test will be strictly enforced!

Specific track requirements:

§ Lime Rock: requires a visible roll bar in all open cars. This means 996 cabs cannot run unless they are fitted with a permanent roll bar.

Hope this helps,

Best

Gus

[carDorque]

Thanks for the great response Gus.

Anybody have any recommendations? I guess I could probably just search at this point.

[whs]

Specific track requirements:

§ Lime Rock: requires a visible roll bar in all open cars. This means 996 cabs cannot run unless they are fitted with a permanent roll bar.[/i]

Hope this helps,

Best

Gus

Is this really true? You can you manually pop up the 996 roll bars. Would this qualify?

Will

[gandrade1]

Specific track requirements:

§ Lime Rock: requires a visible roll bar in all open cars. This means 996 cabs cannot run unless they are fitted with a permanent roll bar.[/i]

Hope this helps,

Best

Gus

Is this really true? You can you manually pop up the 996 roll bars. Would this qualify?

Will

Hi Will,

I got that straight from the NNJR PCA website... Each track has its weirdness. For instance VIR won't allow Boxsters (986) to run without a BK roll-bar extension, even if the driver passes the broomstick test without it.

I would check with the safety chair of your local PCA.

Best,

Gus

[djantlive]

pca in sf area allows oem pop up. just about all track organizers and tracks approve the pop up too. this includes thunderhill, infineon, laguna seca.

ask the track organiser....

[Izzy]

Best answer to me is call the track and find out. Every track is different and has its own rules, then they can change the rules with different clubs. For example you can't run a cabrio at VIR with the Porsche Club, but they ignore the rule when I go with the Ferrari Club (probably since most Ferraris that come are cabrios).

At some tracks (Road Atlanta), they let me run with the popup bars extended. All you got to do is remove the carpet cover behind the rear seates (2 philllips screws), remove the pop-ups covers, then with a small flat screwdriver trigger the lock mechanism. It is a 10 min job, and passes the "broomstick" test.

Edited April 3, 2008 by Izzy

[tac27]

Hey Izzy...in the event that I have to try this, do you also have instuctions on how to retract them?

My cab is a '03....

Tim.

[Loren]

Press locking levers outward and press in the rollbar until it can be felt to engage.

[john korossy]

NNJR PCA here.  Same situation w 996 cab (w hardtop but that does not help w most track reqs).   Any suggestions on rollbars to purchase? Would prefer non-permanent solutions.  1999 C2 cab with hardtop in place (prefer street driving w hardtop actually).

 

Apols if this should be a new topic,.