LMS: Updating old (grandfathered) cages

Yeah it was the A pillar bar that was my main gripe. Really close the steering wheel but that also could be the wheel he had in there. But if that could be shifted one way or another it would do a lot for hand clearance. The other part was my head was actually out the sunroof. But his seat was mounted on the seat mounts and all the other rx7s I have been around literally need to be mounted to the floor to have a chance of actually fitting in there with a helmet.

I would love to see what you could do with a cage in one of them. You have an intimate knowledge of these old girls not many people do.

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"Rally racing makes a heroin addiction look like a vague craving for something salty"

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heymagic
A lot of old cars had the front legs drop down in front of the dash board and the main hoop (sometimes 2" tubing) was routinely based too far forward. The old SCCA rule had a number , maybe 8 inches?, where the cage had to be in relation to the seat.

I don't ever recall such a number in the rally rule books; only that it it had toy be 2"" from / above the helmet. That was pretty long ago. Mark B.

This seems like a perfectly timed thread for me to ask my question in, so sorry for the thread jack.

What is the official procedure for getting a grandfathered cage approved? Specifically with Rally America. Is there someone that you can email based upon your region? Does the car get inspected in person prior to first rally? Is any online approval from an official source enough to know that it will not be a problem at tech?

I'm asking because I am thinking of entering an older scca pro-rally logbooked car in STPR( or more accurately the regional rallies that make up STPR). Car currently runs NASA events, but to my understanding has never run a Rally America event, (2004 STPR was last non-nasa event that it ran). So I want to make sure that it will be okay for Rally America prior to making plans to attend.

Who should I contact to check if it is still legal?

Thank you!

Don Taylor is the RA guy back there or Mike Hurst who is the RA guy everywhere! mikehurst@rally-america.com should work.

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starion887

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heymagic
A lot of old cars had the front legs drop down in front of the dash board and the main hoop (sometimes 2" tubing) was routinely based too far forward. The old SCCA rule had a number , maybe 8 inches?, where the cage had to be in relation to the seat.

I don't ever recall such a number in the rally rule books; only that it it had toy be 2"" from / above the helmet. That was pretty long ago. Mark B.

You old fart, I can't frickin believe I actually remember something you don't...

I still have the 1991 and 1993 rule books. I was a National SCCA scrutineer back then. Pay was the same too.

Appendix Z A.2 The main rool cage hoop must extend the full width of the driver/co-driver compartment and must be a minimum of two inches above the top of the occupant's helmets when sitting in the normal position, or as near the roof as practical in closed cars. It shall not be more than ten(10) inches behind the driver/co-driver.


Looking at it nowadays seems like maybe a hold over from the race rules. They still mention the two inch helmet clearance on drop top cars. It does have a weasel clause that the ten inch rule didn't. Odd also the two inch rule was written exactly that way and the ten (10) inch rule was written that way.