Prodrive Mini

http://wrcbehindthestages.blogspot.com/p/mini.html

These are pictures of the Mini from Warmbold's blog. I am very impressed with what Prodrive has come up with. I wonder if they will make Anthony take down these pictures when they find out. Notice the door bars.

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Robert.

"You are way too normal to be on Rally Anarchy." Eddie Fiorelli.

This one?

I think he's talking more about this.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ0TqGVY8uE/TfODIAzjAQI/AAAAAAAAALw/PJxow_j8PU0/s1600/09062011370.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a3VOlWcGpF8/TfODV4IJNEI/AAAAAAAAAMA/r8BVav1AKQk/s1600/09062011381.jpg

And how the door bars pass through the B-pillar. and to the main hoop and are kinda weird.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/16/2011 07:42PM by NoCoast.

It might just be perspective but stuff looks small there.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DjZRZNOhCds/TfOD-Tn7c_I/AAAAAAAAAMo/01TpQHh-cQo/s1600/09062011404.jpg

Specifically the compression strut and the thread diameter on the rod end for the TCA and the bolts for the strut to upright.

Think the door bars were done in that manner because of space constraints or is their an added safety benefit.

Lots of great details to soak up in those pics

Those are some pretty cool space buggies. I like what looks to be the gear driven oil pump for the dry sump, instead of the little rubber band that is just waiting to break.

Quote
NoCoast
I think he's talking more about this.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ0TqGVY8uE/TfODIAzjAQI/AAAAAAAAALw/PJxow_j8PU0/s1600/09062011370.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a3VOlWcGpF8/TfODV4IJNEI/AAAAAAAAAMA/r8BVav1AKQk/s1600/09062011381.jpg

And how the door bars pass through the B-pillar. and to the main hoop and are kinda weird.

that is very interesting indeed. definately gives them some more room in there.

and that other stuff does look a bit small. didnt the break some stuff up there at sardinia?

Quote
slidewayswrx
Think the door bars were done in that manner because of space constraints or is their an added safety benefit.

Lots of great details to soak up in those pics

It's for safety to have more area to crush in a side impact. I think it was the Mini release/announcement video where the guy mentioned it, although he was standing on the opposite end of the car and you couldn't really see it.

That's actually a very clever design. Building my new cage, I think I would like to consider that design as long as someone like Hurst would approve of it. It makes complete sense. I'd also do my best to shift everything inboard. I've heard talks of moving the driver more central with the co-driver slightly behind. Think McLaren F1 type seating, but the driver is still on the left hand side but closer to center. This helps to keep everyone as far in as possible. Only problem is lots of fabrication to move all those parts that aren't designed (shifter, steering, pedals) to be there.

that tunnnel is pretty sweet looking too.

Quote
slidewayswrx
Think the door bars were done in that manner because of space constraints or is their an added safety benefit.

Yes on both counts. Being integrated into the B-pillars they are much stronger and they have extra crush space before they would contact the occupants. I like this design, actually. I did the same thing on the World Challenge Lexus. Somewhere I have pics.

I like the idea. I wonder how the door fits on the mini? On my Subaru the door shell would have to be cut out.

I wonder if the door would pass Ra,Nasa tech if its cut to fit the door bars? What if the door was dented for clearance would that pass?

We've done this a lot over the past 5-6 years on NASA road racing cars for more driver room and crush space.

I'd look closely at the rules regarding door bars before considering something like this on a home built car. Especially the ones regarding the structural components of the actual door...

Remember the Mini probably has some super high dollar honeycomb shit for side protection outside the door bars and inside the structure of the door.

Personally, if you want added side protection, use a sill bar plus and X. Maybe fill door panels with some kind of impact absorbing foam.

Do Nascar bars actually protect more? Why does no rally car or sanctioning body utilize or require them if they do?

nascar style bars used to be allowed.

did you ever get a look at jim cox's open class s-10 when he had it out at pikes peak? his bars went out into the shell of the door a bit.

however, there was some sort of an issue and he had to modify them somewhat i think.

i sent the pics to mike today and asked about legality. probably wont hear back for a few days though i would imagine.

They've always been allowed in the US cause people have always chosen to do them. But never seen a single other country with a rally car with those types of doors.

There are special things needed if you wish to intrude into the door space. Four vertical studs connecting the two continuous bars plus a sill bar. That or some fancy door panel with honeycomb that isn't really available on the market. Josh Wimpey looked into making some of those cool energy absorbing door cards. Thread on specialstage I think for anyone who wishes to try to search for it (I'd recommend using Google since the forum search blows.)

10.2.5.a in RA rule book. Third paragraph.