Roll cage side diagonal cross brace requirements

[metermatch]

I have a question about roll cage design, specifically the diagonal

cross braces normally seen in the SIDE of a door car cage, in the door

area on the left side of the driver.  The braces are usually in the

form of a big "X", or it is one diagonal bar from roughly the drivers'

shoulder area, down to about the foot area near the floor, inside the

cage.


What type/how many cross braces are required, if any?  I don't see

anything specific in the rules.


My car is a 1990 Honda CRX, that previously was set up for road racing,

and currently has 2 horizontal side bars on it.  I am 6'3", and there

is no way I can get into the car as is.  I could probably make it with

one diagonal from shoulder to foot area.


Cage is currently 1 3/4 x .095 mild steel, H engine size, and I won't

exceed 175 mph.  Car has passed Bonneville tech in 2010.


Thank You,

Jeff

[jl222]

  Go to Chris Alston's Chassisworks. They make a weld on clevis that enables side bar or bars to swing open.

   Click on products-roll cages-subcategories.

  My buddy had to do this on his Firebird's x brace to get in and out.

        Good luck JL222

[redhotracing]

I believe you're referring to the "door" bar, running from the hoop at shoulder level
diagonally to the foot area, usually where it connects to the forward "down" bar, into
a 6x6 plate or the car's frame.

The requirement is that it's the same as your cage, so 1.75" in this case, runs from
those two points and may need some gusseting. We ran a bar horizontally along the
rocker panel from bottom of hoop to bottom of forward down bar, then a traditional
diagonal door bar and connected them together with braces at 2 points. Gives a lot of
strength while allowing easier in/out of the car than your dual horizontal braces. The
upper portion of the "door" bar is also tied into the horizontal portion of the "down" bar,
near its' connection with the hoop. I'll shoot you a pic if you'd like.

[Kiwi Paul]

I hope you have a 2012 Rule book. Quite a few things have been changed in the last couple of years....Hans Device, Lateral Helmet Restraint, and a few others too. Hate to see you get to the Salt and not be able to get through Tech.....

[metermatch]

Yes, I have a 2012 rule book, and I have read it many times.  But it seems like the more I read it, the more questions I have!

Regarding the helmet restraint:  I have a friend that can loan me a HANS device.  And as for the seat, I was going to get an Ultra Shield full containment seat.  But are the side helmet restraints on the Ultra Shield seat sufficient?  Do the seat side helmet restraints need to extend forward to the forward edge of the helmet?

The cars' existing Ultra Shield seat side bars have been extended forward to at least the depth of a helmet by the previous car owner.  This makes it extremely difficult to get into the car.  The driver will still be well within the confines of the roll cage, so there isn't the 3" setback from cage rule problem.

Thanks,

Jeff

[Stainless1]

Most will tell you if you can get in and out easily it won't pass tech... the bigger you are the harder it should be. 
Yes, read the book, lateral restraint to front of helmet. 
I don't think the 3 inch rule you are looking at applies to the type of cage you should have in your door car.
the 2 inch lateral rule applies to all cars and streamlined bikes.
Welcome to LSR.... if it was easy, anybody could understand the rule book...

[Kiwi Paul]

Jeff, there are a few photos and threads on this site about making the drivers side Helmet restraint swing out with a pin and hinge system. This,when engineered with strength, works very well to satisfy the rule, and make egress much easier.If you have any more questions, don`t hesitate to ask. And yes, the side restaints do have to come out to the front end of the Helmet....Hope that helps..