Umrswimr

In my continuing quest to make a streetable C4 track car, I've come to the safety requirements and the rollcage decision.

Background info can be found HERE.

I've heard rumors of how flexible the C4 chassis is and that substantial strengthening will be required before suspension modifications will be successful. Now, I know a rollcage will provide significantly more protection and chassis stiffening versus an R-D rollbar and X-brace. Of course, it'll cost nearly twice as much and transform the door sill into an even less desireable tangle of tubes to clear when entering/exiting the car. For a race car this isn't a huge deal, but this will be a street car too.

So: is the rollcage worth pursuing or should I just be happy with the R-D racing rollbar and X-brace (and maybe the camber brace) and save myself a grand? That $1000 will buy five weekends of racing or a nice seat and harnesses.....

At this point in time, I have absolutely ZERO desire to do any wheel-to-wheel racing, nor am I a good driver.

dmwhite

if you want to keep the car streetable, imo, skip the cage unless you wear a helmet all the time

in an accident, you really dont want to hit your head on a roll cage tube without a helmet on...the high density padding is still very hard material...i'd stick with a 4pt roll bar...

DREGSZ

Are you on Crack?

You just bought the car, have no HPDE experience, and think you need a cage?

Look, safer is safer but neither is necessary for HPDE.

My next track car will use stock seat belts only (as did my last street/track car, not even a 6 point harness)

You need to understand that HPDE is for driver improvement. You aren't racing.

You shouldn't be driving hard enough to need to worry about that.
If you are so aggressive that you do drive that hard, buy a racecar.

Timz06

Where are you going to race for 5 weekends for $1000?

Z06 Silver Bullet

I agree with the what are you thinking comment.

Get some seat time and then figure out what you want to do.

You may want to do wheel to wheel, may say hey I want a different track car,etc..

So leave your car alone and go practice.

redvetracr

If "crack" is cheaper and LESS addictive than racing?? it might be worth a try!!
...redvetracr

PA Z06

[QUOTE=Evan Ginsberg]Are you on Crack?



Is that comment really necessary

Solo2GS

As someone else mentioned a roll cage is a bit over kill for HPDE days. If you want to be on the safe side, like myself, then go with a nice 4 point roll bar. I have been driving for many years and just felt myself getting faster and faster and wanted to have it "just in case". But for someone who is just beginning and should be taking it slow to begin with you don't need one.

A race seat would be nice, but I still use my factory seats with a 5-point harness. Before I had the roll bar I had a harness bar to mount the shoulder straps too.

Roll cage and street driving don't mix...

DREGSZ

Racing is an addiction only cured by poverty

DREGSZ

The thing in the roof, covered in fiberglass, between the rear hatch and the targa panel???
Ya that thing, that IS a roll bar.

turtlevette

Ya Think?

redvetracr

EG, so your saying it`s possible that all those homeless crack addicts might be ex racers??
...redvetracr

BrianCunningham

Let's give the guy credit, his 1st mod is for safety. Most guys make it faster, then worry about saftey.

A cage is a little easier to do in an early C4, due to the interior. A 4pt rollbar is relatively easy on early and late models. You can get the 4pt and then upgrade it later to either a 6pt, with pullout bars, or a full cage. They're require for the faster drag cars, though the tubing is smaller than SCCA requirements, so be careful about that. Ask in the C4 Tech section.

That said, I'm doing HPDE w/o one.

That's getting me thinking about one.
OUCH!

DREGSZ

Well, it's supposed to be one anyway.

OK, if you are getting one, plan on welding it to the chassis, not bolting to fiberglass

C4R has a 12 pt cage w NASCAR door bars, but it is a racecar

Jaymz

This has to be the quote of the year!...

Z06 Silver Bullet

I agree actually after seeing that photo and money got the best of me.

Do at least a solo1 rear rollbar minimum.

I have it in my current car. Not in the way really at all and is worth at least 1 second when going around the track due to piece of mind.

Umrswimr

Thanks for the replies, guys.

I picked up the car yesterday!

The Apex Driving school here at MSR-Cresson is $200 for 7-8 sessions. So $1000 WILL get me 5 weekends of track time.

I agree that I'm still a novice, but I want to make sure it's safe when I go out there this time. I never really felt safe in my 'vert (for obvious reasons!). Looks like the four-point rollbar and a cross-brace are the way to go for now, as I suspected. I just wanted to make sure!

mlongo99

Yea, until you factor in gas, food, worn parts, travel expenses, etc.

Timz06

Sure that's just the entry fee.

Figure in brakes, rotors, fuel, tires, etc, also if on the road hotel and towing.

For me carbotech brake pads front 1.5 weekends $150, fuel for the weekend $100, towing fuel $100, Tires figure at least $200 maybe double that. Figure in rotors and other stuff that will break if you are not out there driving like grandma.

I think AU engl had estimated about $700 per weekend, I think that is a pretty good guess.

I know the last 3 day weekend I did at viper days was well over 1k with everything.

AU N EGL

it was $735 / Weekend in 2005 when I did not instruct.