How many of you have roll bars? The ones that don't, do you plan on installing them or taking your chances at the local tracks?

 

Since I am running 11.9s No track has said anything yet.I have run 11s seven times and not a peep from the tracks.If I decide to "Kick it up a notch" then maybe a rollbar will be needed.

VINNIE

 

With what I am planning for over the winter I should be in the 11's by next year. Been down this road before with other cars, no roll bar planned(Although they look cool). I'll take my chances of getting kicked out. With all of the weight it is going to add, it would prolly knock me out of the 11's anyway. What is the estimated weight? 150#?

 

i had every intention of being in the 11's this year but after i fried a valve and smoked my trans money just kinda ran out

this is my 6 point chrome moly bar it wasn't cheap but i had pandes performance do the install. i was scheduled to have steve grebeck install a cage for me but he never made it back. but his shop is still open and can and will do the install also.

 

Kind of funny how the tracks bust ***** about no rollcages in 11 second Lightnings, yet none of these tracks seem to have a problem with all these 11 second 03 Cobras .

 

yeah no chit.......

 

Cecil is just beginning to give the 03 Cobra's a hard time. I think it's because it's harder to notice a cage in a Cobra than a Lightning. Our bars stick out like a sore thumb.

 

The cobra is a safe vehicle. It has proven itself to be very strong in its stock form thereby protecting its passengers very well in case of an accident.

 

E-town has been giving them a hassle, but then again...they give everyone a hassle. Hey, that's the rule so whatever.

 

Mine is getting a cage in it right now. I hate cutting my pritty truck up, but if I want to play with the big boys a bar is a must.

I'll post a few pics in a few weeks.

 

Sal,

What's the rule on the roll bar? Doesn't it have to be
one piece welded to pass NHRA? I was thinking of a
bolted together one, but if it's not gonna be legal, why
bother? I have seen pics of some of the "L"'s that seem
to have the bolted up kind, but surely the tracks notice
that stuff, right?

Thanks in advance,

Cliff

 

Steele, the 1/4 mile track I run at doesn't have anyone working to enforce any rules. At least they didn't during the test-n-tune I was at. It was a free for all. 6 lanes of cars all converging together with no one directing anything. You just pull out when you think it is your turn and go to the lights. Not an employee in sight. In fact they let the spectators line the concrete barriers right next to the lanes. Crazy. Needless to say a rollbar isn't an issue. In fact I could probably run with my friends sitting in the bed without any problems. Who knows, might get better traction that way .

My local 1/8th mile track is NHRA certified and follows the rules more closely. They at least make you wear a helmet if you run faster than an 8.0. Not sure the rollbar limit in the 1/8th mile but I have run a 7.54 without them saying anything. Hopefully they never will.

 

Cliff, there is a lot of technical data on the roll cage/bar rules, but the main stuff to know is this:

Material and installation:

"All cage structures must be designed in an attempt to protect the driver from any angle, 360-degrees. All 4130 chrome-moly tube welding must be done by approved TIG heliarc process; mild steel tube welding must be approved MIG wire feed or TIG heliarc process. Welding must be free of slag and porosity. any grinding of welds prohibited. Additionally, roll cage must be padded any where the driver's helmet may contact it while in the driving position."

Application:

"Full bodied cars, with unaltered firewall, floor and body (from firewall rearward, wheeltubs permitted), running between 10.00 (*6.40) and 10.99 (*6.99) roll bar permitted in place of roll cage."

A roll BAR is a 5 or 6 point bar made up of a main hoop, two rear braces, and a side brace on the drivers side, pass side optional. The side bar is supposed to pass the drivers arm, between the shoulder and elbow, and the main hoop is supposed to be 3 inches over the helmet, but of course interior room can limit that a bit.

As for swing-out or bolt in rules:

"Swing out side bar permitted on O.E.M. full bodied car 7.50 (*4.50) E.T. and slower."

"All required rear braces must be installed at a minimum angle of 30-degrees from vertical, and must be welded in."

Naturally you can find a ton more info if you can get a hold of an NHRA rulebook.

 

The real question is what's your body worth? I hit the wall in my 8 second Camaro (tube chasis, not just roll bar) going ~125 (1/8th) at Bristol and got banged up very badly...and that's with a 5pt harness, nomex suit etc. If you want to go to the track and race, take the time to do it right. NHRA didn't pull these rules out of their a$$es, they made them for a reason.

Rather than spending a few bucks to pick up a tenth or so, why not spend the money to protect the most important part of the truck - the driver?

 

Spencer, that's the best thing I've seen posted about this subject, I agree 100%. Gotta keep the driver in one piece, later, John H.