c5 roll bar
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 552
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From: Alton Illinois
c5 roll bar
can anybody recommend a roll bar for the c5 that can be removed. i want to track my 99 vert but the roll bars i have seen do not look good so i want to take it out when not on the track. i know, their purpose is for safety but i am off the track a lot more than i am on! i am an scca f&c (corner worker) and i have the bug but no one seems to put c5 verts on the track in my area so i don't have anyone to compare with. i just want to try to get it out of my system before i run out of money!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Since you are an SCCA worker, then you will find out the most tracks, Clubs and KandK insurance almost requie the roll bar to meet the SCCA SOLO I rules AND the 2" broom stick rule.
The are some that are very close, Wolf is close, depending on how tall you are.
with a vert, chance are your top will not be able to go up and have proper clearance over your helmet.
Good Luck
The are some that are very close, Wolf is close, depending on how tall you are.
with a vert, chance are your top will not be able to go up and have proper clearance over your helmet.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 552
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From: Alton Illinois
thanks. in some circles,they are not as strict on roll bars as long as you can get close and make a reasonable effort (pipe size, anchor points etc.). they also make concessions for height if the top won't close. if it is removable, maybe it won't make a difference about height. i think if you don't try to use a harness bar ie. chrome hoops, they are fairly lenient. i just don't like the looks of any i have seen. i'll look into wolf. i haven't run across them on my internet searches.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 552
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From: Alton Illinois
thanks all. there must be a reason few track verts. maybe it is the roll bar issue. i'l check into auto power and mti. i have studied the no chrome, no welds in bends and pipe size required by scca rules. it may be cheaper to buy another car (hard top)to track, unfortunately i could not afford another vette but i just can't see myself in a miata, although it is a very popular car at the track. when i flag the s's (3&4 at gateway) they are the only cars that upshift into turn 3!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
yes the roll bar issue is the reason not many verts are tracked.
Most vert roll bars wont pass tech either. by being too low, to narrow, no cross or diagonal tubes. to be install properly in a corvette convertible the water fall tonal cover needs to come out. PLUS. being a roadster, arm restraints would be needed. Most clubs are afraid of legal issues from family members. Even though you sign the weaver. and the likely hood or roll over is almost non-existent.
Some clubs are more leanest then other. Some clubs just wont even go there to look at or determine if it passes safety inspections. Their club, their event, their rules. They just say, Bye Bye
Does your SCCA region do HPDEs? if so what would that tech inspector say ?
The other thing is, it is your car, your life, your decisions.
Good Luck on your search
Most vert roll bars wont pass tech either. by being too low, to narrow, no cross or diagonal tubes. to be install properly in a corvette convertible the water fall tonal cover needs to come out. PLUS. being a roadster, arm restraints would be needed. Most clubs are afraid of legal issues from family members. Even though you sign the weaver. and the likely hood or roll over is almost non-existent.
Some clubs are more leanest then other. Some clubs just wont even go there to look at or determine if it passes safety inspections. Their club, their event, their rules. They just say, Bye Bye
Does your SCCA region do HPDEs? if so what would that tech inspector say ?
The other thing is, it is your car, your life, your decisions.
Good Luck on your search
Last edited by AU N EGL; Sep 21, 2009 at 10:12 AM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Alton Illinois
i was afraid of that. even wolfe 4 pt roll bar is not nhra certified. there is a guy at the track that has a miata vert with a roll bar that runs pdx (which is a looser tech) and solo that had it custom installed. it looks rugged but i guess that is the route i will have to investigate.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
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From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
$2500.00 ... They cost more than that. I have a removable hard top that I use at the track, but I don't have to hide it since the track allows it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Alton Illinois
hum, never thought of a removable hard top. couldnt find koff in search but found an ecklers version for 3200 plus shipping. i think i would do that before i bought a miata as a track only car. good option, now i will have to see what scca says, and the track pdx folks.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
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From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
$4k by the time the paint and assembly were finished. E-town allows them for drag racing. I have never done road racing because of the vert. I think a couple of events have allowed hard tops, but I have never bothered.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,205
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From: Jupiter FL
IMHO, do it right or don't do it at all. But hey, that's just me. YMMV.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,487
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From: WA
here is an example of roll protection in action, imagine it is your helmet and not the roll bar that's doing this.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...-pass-tr6.html
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
Makes me wonder -- who do they think they are fooling? This is a serious safety issue. Certainly, it is rare that a Vette will roll. But it does happen. If they go over, they are dead. Period, end of story. Makes me think about the old saying on cheap helmet -- How much is your head worth? In this case, they may get away with it and get out on the track. But in the end, how much is your life worth?
IMHO, do it right or don't do it at all. But hey, that's just me. YMMV.
IMHO, do it right or don't do it at all. But hey, that's just me. YMMV.
The bolt in cages are a problem because they bolt to the plastic and balsa wood floor. The concern is the plates will rip right of the floor.
Last edited by chaase; Sep 21, 2009 at 01:16 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Makes me wonder -- who do they think they are fooling? This is a serious safety issue. Certainly, it is rare that a Vette will roll. But it does happen. If they go over, they are dead. Period, end of story. Makes me think about the old saying on cheap helmet -- How much is your head worth? In this case, they may get away with it and get out on the track. But in the end, how much is your life worth?
IMHO, do it right or don't do it at all. But hey, that's just me. YMMV.
IMHO, do it right or don't do it at all. But hey, that's just me. YMMV.