knfeparty

Technoduck, is your seatback removed?

Right now I can actually fit all the tires, my tools, my girlfriend, and her bag from the airport in the car. That's a plus, but you know she probably won't mind holding that 4th wheel in her lap and leaving all that luggage stuff at home.

This is where the "stock" class thing is a pain. I doubt changing the driver's seat and removing the seat back in the rear would even make up for the weight of the roll bar, so it's not like it's a performance boost, but oh no that's sacrilege and someone will protest me for having my windshield wiper blades on the wrong way on top of it...

Bad things happen with a harness and stock seats, right? So I've heard?

Techno Duck

Check the rules.. it might be acceptable to remove the rear seatback in favor of adding safety equipment. You dont need to remove the seatback technically, but they dont know that. Also any region that will penalize you for adding in a proper race seat (with harness routing) should consider updating the rules aswell. You should NOT be penalized for adding in safety equipment to your car, regardless if it will lighten your car (IE, seats).

Harnesses and stock seats...i would say okay for auto-x only. It will not pass a DE tech inspection and is certainly not safe on the street either. The problem is the harnesses can slide off your shoulder in an impact. I ran a harness with my stock sport seats for a season or so.. it was nice being held in better. Thats the only time i ever used it though.

BeerBurner

I'm happy with my Redline bar.

I hear you can still fit four wheels in the car with it in place although I've never tried it. For Summit Point, I just drive there on my R-compounds.

BB.

knfeparty

Well I know my local club wouldn't care too much; a miata in ES has had racing seats for awhile and I didn't even notice until the last event. I do really want to go to Topeka this year, though, to see what it's like. After this year, it'll be off to the Navy and I'll have forgotten how to drive when I get back. I want to be able to say I competed on the national level (and probably get owned). It's at nationals that they wouldn't let me compete in ES if I showed up with race seats.

Also, I would keep the stock belts in place. I would never wear a harness on the street. I do fear head impacts with the roll bar, though. The 944 isn't my DD, but on occasion it is for a week or so at a time.

jacksonrw

I have my roll bar for sale I will let go of it for $350 obo

knfeparty

here we go....SCCA 2008 solo rule book PDF

13.2 BODYWORK
A. Accessories, gauges, indicators, lights and other appearance,
comfort and convenience modifications which have no effect on
performance and/or handling and do not materially reduce the
weight of the car are permitted. This does not allow driver’s seat
substitutions...

H. Roll bars and roll cages may be added (See Appendix C). It is
strongly recommended that roll cages be constructed according
to the GCR, though they must be bolted (not welded) into the
automobile and be contained within the driver/passenger
compartment. Roll bars may be welded in. A roll cage has
more than four attachment points to the body or frame, or has
bracing both fore and aft of the main hoop.

I. Driver restraints as outlined in Section 3.3.1 are allowed. Seats
may not be cut to allow for the installation of alternate seat belts
or harnesses. Passive restraint systems may not be removed.

and just so you guys get a feel for what I'm working with here..

SEAT PADDING (applies to Solo only)
Cushions may be used for the purpose of bringing the driver within
reach of the controls of a vehicle. The word ‘cushion’ means a freestanding
pillow, towel, blanket, or similar article consisting of foam
246
rubber, feathers, or comparable materials. Such cushions may not
be attached either to the vehicle or to the driver’s body. Prohibited
means of attachment include, but are not limited to the following:
straps, hooks, snaps, loop-type fasteners (e.g. Velcro), adhesives, or
similar aids. The intent of this allowance is to enable the driver to
more comfortably operate the controls of the vehicle without
enhancing the driver seat’s ability to hold the driver in place.

knfeparty

Thanks for all the offers, guys. I'm gonna have a chat with my "mentor" and get back to everyone.

knfeparty

Well after some discussion, I'm taking the easy way out.

As much fun as having the bar and harnesses looked (and the undeniable cool race car factor), I've decided to run my BMW instead.

Yes, I know, sacrilege.

But it is less than 5 years old and if I'm going to be going fast, I trust it more to have everything stay on.

Not to mention it's a tad faster on the straights. Thanks for the help and offers, guys.

BeerBurner

Nothing sacrilegious about it.

Unless you have a mega-budget (which most of us don't) you need to be practical about your trackwork, too. As much as I'd love to have a 944 track flogger, my avatar should give you a hint about which car will ultimately fill that role...

BB.