I'm in the building stages for my H/DT right now. I should be starting in on the cage in the next month or so, working on it in my "spare" time, as if any of us has spare time. I want to make sure that I understand the rules clearly, so that I only have to do this job once. The issue of full containment seats and/or Funny Car or Pro-Stock style cages is a bit confusing.
The existing record in this class is just over 105 mph. Obviously, I want to be safe, but at the same time, do not want the added expense required to meet all of the rules for a 200 mph class. I will be using 1-5/8" x 0.134 tubing for the cage.
I have a 2011 rulebook in front of me. Rule 3.A.3, page 24 addresses the Driver's Helmet Support. I am seeing a lot of use of the "Full Containment Seat", but I'm still not sure if such a seat is rigid enough to meet the requirements set out in 3.A.3.
I currently have a Kirkey "Economy" seat that is a loaner from a friend for mock-up purposes. He will let me keep the seat if I can use it. If permissible, I would like to use this seat, in conjunction with a "Pro Stock", or "Funny Car" style roll cage (not sure if there is really a difference, or if this is just different terminology), with a structure that would meet the 2" per side limits as set in 3.A.3.
Does this seem like a legitimate approach? (Kirkey economy seat, placed inside a Pro-Stock or Funny Car cage), with whatever kind of restraints will be necessary to meet the 2" per side rule.
Steve.