...

Go Back   Lateral-g Forums > Technical Discussions > Chassis and Suspension
User Name
Password



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #1  
Old 03-05-2007, 02:47 PM
71OLDS's Avatar
71OLDS 71OLDS is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 80
Thanks: 0
Thanked 17 Times in 6 Posts
Default Convertibles 13.49 or faster and no rollbar

How many of you have convertibles that run faster then 13.49 without rollbars and are still able to run at certain tracks/certain events?

I've been planning on adding a rollbar to my 71 442 convertible, but I'm hedging now. I expect to run 12s and hopefully 11s w/my car. I only plan on going to the 1/4 mile track a few times a year (I'm in DC, MD, VA area). I used to goto 75/80 Dragway but it's gone now.

I was going to add the NHRA correct 5 pt w/removable door bar and permanent rear cross bar, w/5 pt harnesses for all 4 seats (back seat too). The back seat passengers would have 5 pt harnesses to prevent head injury from the bars in front of them, above them, and to the side.

2 things have started to change my mind: Besides the obvious cost and issues of ruining the originality and the difficulty of even getting into the back seat, I thought I was choosing safety over everything. I've read some posts that although the rollbar WOULD provide safety at the track (w/a helmet), that it could actually cause injury/death while driving on the street due to any passenger's head contacting anyone of the bars....even at moderate speeds....the only way I can see to at least lower the chance of this is to require all passengers (front and rear) to wear a 5 pt harness at all times during street driving.

Next I was reading through a Buick site last night and found a post by several guys running Buick convertibles (11 and 12 second rides) that say they can run w/o a rollbar at the Buick events and certain tracks. Even those tracks that are more strict, you can get a few runs in.

So my question is how many of you w/convertibles running under 13.49 are able to get some 1/4 miles runs at your local track?

I'm all about safety but if I have to lose safety for street driving to gain safety at the track...it seems like a wash. If I roll my car and have no rollbar (at the track or street), I run a high chance of death or serious injury. But if I have a rollbar during street driving w/no helmet, the same risk is there. Add the loss of originality and the hassle of getting in and out of the car, wearing the 5 pt harness, and that I will spend considerably LESS time at the track, and now I'm leaning towards no rollbar.

Of course I also wanted to do some SOLO 2 racing at Fed Ex field parking lot here in DC since my car will be set up for corners/handeling...guess that will be out w/no rollbar for sure....

Any feedback/opinions etc are appreciated. I need to make a final on this in the next month.

Thanks!
-Joe
__________________
Joe Lincoln

1971 Olds 442 Convertible & 1970 Cutlass Supreme
Reply With Quote
 


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:17 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright Lateral-g.net