Roll Bars

[AlfaNeely@domain.elided]

In a message dated 3/1/99 5:15:17 PM Central Standard Time, owner-alfa-
digest@domain.elided writes:
<< Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 14:04:15 -0800 
 From: Robin Boyar <rboyar@domain.elided>
 Subject: Rollbar and insurance
 
 Alas, spring is coming, and I've decided that I'd like to take my car on
 the track- first, driving school, then perhaps to race.  Does anyone
 have any recommendations regarding rollbars?
 
 Also, is it possible to get auto insurance that covers myself and the
 car on the track?
 
 Thanks,
 Robin (worrying ever so slightly)
 Oakland, CA
 
 '67 Duetto
 '92 Saab 900
  >>

	I have an Autopower "race height" roll bar in my 82 spider.  It fits under
the top, which has had the rivets replaced with bolts for disassembly, but is
a real hassle to put up or down.  The rollbar is just barely above my helmet
with the bottom seat cushion removed.  Unless you are short, any street height
roll bar or any bar that will work without modifications to the top will come
up to about your ears.  That means you will break anything above your ears if
you do roll over.
	I am in charge of tech for the autocross and time trials at this years AROC
convention in Kansas City in June.  As required by the AROC Competition Code,
any open cars entered in the time trials will have to have a roll bar and the
roll bar will have to be above the top of the driver's helmet.  SCCA Solo I
and many track events will require the roll bar to be 2 inches above the top
of the helmet.  I called Autopower about providing a roll bar that would be 2
inches above my head and they said they would build to any dimensions I sent
them.  
     For real racing a full cage is required by SCCA.   I ended up building my
own roll cage for my under construction SCCA ITB 84 spider.  The top of the
main roll bar is approximately 3 inches above the top of the windshield and
thus, well above where the top used to fit.
	Dunno about insurance.  I figure if I waste my spider on the track, then I
waste my spider.  It is fully covered under a collectable car policy, but I
might not turn it in.
Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City
alfaneely@domain.elided

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