Following up on a few questions that arose within the "Introduce Yourself" thread, I would like to pose a few questions regarding the roll bar structure for the SCCA Formula Ford 1600 (FF1600) that I would like to run at Maxton.
Specifically, I would like to know if said structure complies with the G/GL if the speed the car remains under 150 mph (highly unlikely that, given the 120hp, it will break 145 in the standing mile).
Here are the SCCA roll bar specification for this car:
9.4.1. BASIC DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
A. The basic purpose of the roll cage is to protect the driver if the car turns over, runs into an obstacle such as a guardrail or catch fence, or is struck by another car. It shall be designed to withstand compression forces from the weight of the car coming down on the rollover structure and to take fore/aft and lateral loads resulting from the car skidding along on its rollover structure.
B. Forward braces and portions of the main hoop subject to contact by the driver’s helmet (as seated normally and restrained by seatbelt/
shoulder harness) shall be padded with non-resilient material such as Ethafoam® or Ensolite® with a minimum thickness of one-half (1/2) inch. Padding meeting SFI spec 45.1 or FIA 8857-2001 is strongly recommended.
C. No portion of the safety roll cage shall have an aerodynamic effect by creating a vertical thrust.
D. Roll cage or chassis design shall prevent engine intrusion into the driver compartment.
E. Material:
1. Seamless, or DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel) mild steel tubing (SAE 1010, 1020, 1025) or equivalent, or alloy steel tubing (SAE, 4130) shall be used for all roll cage structures. Proof of use of alloy steel is the responsibility of the entrant.
2. Minimum tubing sizes (all Formula, Sports Racing, GT, and Production Category automobiles, and all automobiles registered prior to June 1, 1994) for all required roll cage elements
(All dimensions in inches):
Vehicle Weight Material
Without Driver Mild Steel Alloy Steel
Up to 1500 lbs. 1.375 x .095 1.375 x .080
Photo of the car sans bodywork:
We would like to run Maxon to verify the "unofficial" paddock rumor that the highest speed attained by a FF1600 is anywhere close to the stated value of 147 mph. That is, a lot of folks say this is the "magic" top speed of these cars, yet no one can provided solid evidence to support.
Above all, we would like to run a car we are familiar with to gain LSR experience before moving forward with our plans (Bonneville run with fully SCTA complaint formula car based G/GL…different chassis / Ford Zetec).