Quote:
Originally Posted by NRBRNG
Cage: I will post more pics soon. Long answer... Most of us who track often and at faster paces realize that ignoring the risks is not an option, and we all look at the various ways of mitigating those risks.
To me they started with good coaching (really good coaching), education, seat time, adapting driving style to every track- (and other drivers on it) and ultimately ensuring that if the worst came to the worst, I could at least say I tried...
The car started out with a sunroof, so when I had the cage & Recaro's first put in I didn't have full head-below-bar clearance for my own peace of mind- especially with 6 points and Hans (your'e gonna be bolt upright with limited place to bend in a bad roll/roof down impact). So when I stripped the car last year and went for performance weight saving, the sunroof was replaced with an OEM carbon fiber roof- giving me about 2 more inches of clearance above the existing top bar.
So, this winter we raised and welded the cage in and extended forward as an additional forward welded point for rigidity (albeit minimal as it is only on the floor frame Vs front towers). In addition, there is better side impact if ever need, again 'unlikely' as I will not race the car. I also took the Recaro slider out and mounted the seat to gain an additional half inch. All in, I have now lowered myself 2.5 inches in the car (lower COG) and most importantly mitigated a bit more risk by adding bar height above my relatively fixed head height.
Call me cautious. Yes. For less than the cost of a set of tires- worth the peace of mind, for me at least.
The clincher for me was unfortunately witnessing a very experience driver leave the track in his E92 M3 at the last track day last year and roll several times. Thankfully He walked away no problem with stock seat belts and airbags. Because he was able to 'flop' and be cushioned etc. As his totalled car was towed past, the roof and frame was about 3-4 inches lower. That made me change my cage set up.
Car is sub 3050 lbs.
OK! Off to the track tomorrow to relearn my shit.
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So increased rigidity and slightly better side impact protection?
