Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => SCTA Rule Questions => Topic started by: SteveM on April 08, 2008, 05:01:30 PM
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I did a search on the topic, but couldn't find an answer to this question. Are removable door bars permissible for Production cars? I'm itching to start building a turbodiesel powered '87 Mercedes 190D 2.5 Turbo to run at Bonneville. This is a 4-door "baby benz". It's been a lifelong dream for me (I'm about to turn 40 years old). I want to be realistic and try to get into the USFRA 130 club, then work towards the 150 club, then eventually into full scale SCTA racing (production supercharged class I believe).
I do not expect to break a record with this car (the existing record is well over 200 mph now), but I'd like to earn some diesel / biodiesel / veggie-oil powered braggin rights.
Anyway, as I look at the design of the car and the required cage, I can see that a removable door bar would be advantageous with the 4-door configuration. I believe it would be OK for the 130 and 150 clubs, but how about in the Big Leagues of SCTA? With the 4-door configuration, the main hoop would have to be behind the front door opening, as opposed to in-line with the door opening as on most 2-door cars. The smaller door opening makes for more difficulty with respect to entry and exit to the car, so the removable door bar would allow a little more ease of entry/exit.
Thanks for providing a great forum, and I look forward to my first Bonneville trip.
SteveM.
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My question to you is the seat stock. If so you would need to put in a race / rule approved seat. This might help you in the roll bar placement. A sketch of what you have in mind would best be sent to the committee to look at.
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Glen:
Thanks for the timely response. Thanks for the rminder that the seat will have to be a racing unit. I just got my rulebook a week or so ago, and have been trying to absorb as much as possible while I daydream about the project. Getting the seat lower in the car will help with the access.
I am somewhat familiar with the NHRA guidelines for roll cages, and I am fully aware that SCTA requirements are not the same as NHRA. As a rule of thumb, I understand that the door bar should extend from the main hoop and intersect the driver's arm (not literally) at a location midway between the elbow and shoulder, and then extend to the lower front corner of the door opening.
My inquiry is whether or not a removable bar, as used with some of the commonly available (i.e Chris Alston Chassisworks style configurations) roll cages will be permissible. It sounds like I need to put together more of a sketch to show the geometry and the type of fasteners used for such a bar.
Thanks again,
SteveM.
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Steve
What area do you live, there might be someone local that could look at what you are wanting to do.
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Steve, no cage or special seat required for 130 club, 150 requires a cage, but not scta spec. Run the 130 club this year, look at how others are doing their 150 and scta cages. 130 should be fun... 8-)
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Stainless, he asked about SCTA thats why I answered. Why do it twice if he has long term plans to run speedweek. That's why I answered it that way. If he is only planning on the 130 club thats ok too. The reason we changed the rule was because of a stock seat and what happend because of it at the lakes. One can't be to safe.
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Here are some pictures of a cage that is removable and the reason I took the pictures as I want something like this in my truck, so I can run it at an SCTA event. I feel like an idiot as I forgot the owners name at the moment. I know he is in SDRC, so someone pipe in on the car owner. The car has run a little over 150 if I remember right and is a street driven street rod/hot rod. A really nice car.
I'm not sure if it has run in the last few years and the pictures were taken in 2001, so I'm not sure if it is currently legal, but someone probably knows.
Good luck on your project and I think making it SCTA legal to begin with is a smart move,
Sum
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The rest,
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Looks like Pat Riely's car but I may be wrong.
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another one................. (MacDonald & Pitts #135) ..
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That looks like the McDonald-Pitts car.
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The purple and cream interior looks like Chuck Edwall's Cad powered coupe. He is the SDRC secretary.
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Steve, after you run the 130 club this year you will have an idea if this the the vehicle you want to invest the time and cash in to make a race car. Realistically, get it to go 130 first, that will be your fist hurdle.... 8-)
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The purple and cream interior looks like Chuck Edwall's Cad powered coupe. He is the SDRC secretary.
Yep, that is the name I was trying to come up with. Hope he doesn't give me a hard time in the minutes next month 8-). I just love the car and thought I had a picture of it and I'm sure I do, but can't find it.
Sum
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Definitly Chuck's '38 Ford Coupe. Driven to El Mirage and Bonneville, swapped tires, added lead, raced, and driven home, usually. After the rule change on seats ride home felt a lot longer.
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(http://www.thehudsonboys.com/photopost/data/509/medium/P8110083.JPG)
If I remember correctly Rich from THB was talking about a removable door bar, something about it opening with the door.
This pic does not show the bar but only where it connects to the primary hoop.
Worked well from what I gather.
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another one....
You must take a look at this car (MacDonald & Pitts #135) when you step up after the 130 club. It's been over 300 mph and has one of the best cages (the door bars swing open) I've ever seen on a land speed door car.
Good Luck on your project.
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another one....
You must take a look at this car (MacDonald & Pitts #135) when you step up after the 130 club. It's been over 300 mph and has one of the best cages (the door bars swing open) I've ever seen on a land speed door car.
Good Luck on your project.
Is this really a good idea? have any pros or cons thanks mez
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Thanks a million for the pics and descriptions. At least I know that it is possible now. I'd like to do this roll cage only once, and have it meet specs for SCTA competition as well as 130 and 150 clubs. Great info here. Those pictures really help.
Also, I just updated my profile to show that I am in Festus, MO. Are there any other Missouri-based racers active here?
Steve M.
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Steve M, there are 5 of us who race on the salt in the Springfield, Missouri area. Rick Haynes is in Elsberry, Mo. Also Denny Golden in the St. Louis area used to race. Loyd Huffman is over in Oklahoma races a Studebaker (record holder and 200 club member).
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GH:
Thanks for the information about Missouri based racers. I'd love to get a chance to meet some of you guys and see some of your cars/bikes. Do you guys ever get together?
Steve.
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Steve,
There are some in the Kansas City area. Please consider including us in any bash you have. I'll do the same to you.
Geo