Tracking a Vert?
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Tracking a Vert?
Hey guys, So I will be in the market for a c5 in the near future but i am having a hard time deciding between buying a z-51 Vert or a FRC. The car will be primary a daily driver but i do like to do as many HPDE's an auto-x's a year as time and funds permit.
So how feasible is it to use a vert for hpde's? I don't want to hack up the car and weld in a cage but i'm willing to go as far as a bolt in 4 point cage or maybe even a hardtop if they exist (I've never seen one).
Any advice or experience any one would like to share would be awesome
So how feasible is it to use a vert for hpde's? I don't want to hack up the car and weld in a cage but i'm willing to go as far as a bolt in 4 point cage or maybe even a hardtop if they exist (I've never seen one).
Any advice or experience any one would like to share would be awesome
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
Hardtops do exist and look great, if I recall correctly they run about 1500 and are bare fiberglass. Trplblack who is a forum member has one, I cant remember where he got it from though.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Smoothline sell the cheapest hardtops for the Vert:
http://www.smoothline.com/hardtops.php
Caravaggio also have one but its a tad more expensive
http://www.smoothline.com/hardtops.php
Caravaggio also have one but its a tad more expensive
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 355
From: Rochester New York
Some HPDE schools do permit convertibles... with out a cage, I think the cloth top does need to be secured in the closed position. Again, like I said this is only some schools, most do not allow them. I believe a local (to me) Porsche club allows them. Check with Porsche clubs near you, may be the same rules.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
As far as verts go,,the Corvette has one of the stiffest chassis,,but you will get a bit more stiffness and a little lighter weight with the FRC/Z06 style!!You also get standard power steering cooler a little better suspension bits(Z51 standard on FRC along with metal sway bar links) and a 3:42 rear gear with them too
!!
!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Hey guys, So I will be in the market for a c5 in the near future but i am having a hard time deciding between buying a z-51 Vert or a FRC. The car will be primary a daily driver but i do like to do as many HPDE's an auto-x's a year as time and funds permit.
So how feasible is it to use a vert for hpde's? I don't want to hack up the car and weld in a cage but i'm willing to go as far as a bolt in 4 point cage or maybe even a hardtop if they exist (I've never seen one).
Any advice or experience any one would like to share would be awesome
So how feasible is it to use a vert for hpde's? I don't want to hack up the car and weld in a cage but i'm willing to go as far as a bolt in 4 point cage or maybe even a hardtop if they exist (I've never seen one).
Any advice or experience any one would like to share would be awesome
Bolt in bar Bolted to the FRAME of the car
Roll bar should be 2" above Drivers Helmet
Must use 6 point harness for both seats
Ie it can be done, but not with an operating top.
Getting the FRC, ZO6 or a Coupe would be a better option
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,064
Likes: 18
From: Arizona
Really depends on the organization.
Proautosports in Phoenix allows verts to run without a hoop if the top is up.
They can run top down if they have hoops that meet their requirement.
SCCA and NASA have stricter requirements.
Proautosports in Phoenix allows verts to run without a hoop if the top is up.
They can run top down if they have hoops that meet their requirement.
SCCA and NASA have stricter requirements.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Interesting to see those rules about top up given that the "roll bar" on a stock Vert is the windscreen frame. I can understand maybe needing a helmet or requiring a hardtop but the fabric roof gives no real protection.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,138
Likes: 11
From: Fremont CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
NCM Sinkhole Donor
There's one group in NorCal that allows you to run without a roll bar - and then, only at one track. All others require it.
Auto-x is a different story. I've never heard of any auto-x group requiring roll protection.
Auto-x is a different story. I've never heard of any auto-x group requiring roll protection.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Some clubs are very lax. If they dont see it, they dont care.
Your Life
Your Car
Your Safety
and You can or your heirs can not sue the club or track anyway.
Many clubs do care, do to insurance reasons.
