door bars, cage construction and safe egress

Proper "NASCAR-style" (sorry for the dirty word) door bars prevent you from using a window regulator (crank or electric). How can you prove safe exit from the vehicle if the doors are closed?

From reading the NASA rules it appears that you need to have some way of lowering the side windows with the doors closed (or some other means of exiting the vehicle). If you have door bars that bend out into the doors, that seems impossible. I was planning on replacing the door glass with fixed lexan panels, maybe with sliders, but I don't see a way to satisfy the rules on the safe exit issue.

Any ideas? What have people done that have these types of door bars?

Thanks!!

I thought you couldn't do NASCAR style side bars that protrude that far into the door? Or maybe its just 'frowned upon'.(?)


Most people carry at least one of these:

http://safedrives.com/proddetail.asp?prod=LifeHammer&cat=13

...in case you can't open the door after an accident, and can't open the window (manually or electronically).

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Jon Burke
Most people carry at least one of these:

http://safedrives.com/proddetail.asp?prod=LifeHammer&cat=13

...in case you can't open the door after an accident, and can't open the window (manually or electronically).

Most? All. It's a required item at least for RA.
Lexan with ability to boot them out. I think Dave Clark posted how he did them on Hintz's car recently for a good method.

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NoCoast

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Jon Burke
Most people carry at least one of these:

http://safedrives.com/proddetail.asp?prod=LifeHammer&cat=13

...in case you can't open the door after an accident, and can't open the window (manually or electronically).

Most? All. It's a required item at least for RA.

oh really? didn't know that it was a rule. I learned me something new!

For glass windows, we found that it takes almost zero effort to break the glass with an automatic punch. Press it to the glass and you instantly have a pile of cubic zirconia.

Thanks guys! The car, an e30 BMW, was built for road-race with a quality cage, 1.75x.90 DOM. I'll still need to do some cage work.

Driver's side has existing dual NASCAR door bars plus a sill bar. Driver's side glass is positioned for transit only, removed for racing.

On the navigator's side it has a single diagonal and a sill bar. Retains elec regulator and original glass.

I could remove the NASCAR bars and add diagonals. That gives me the option to either reinstall the driver's regulator or go to lexan. Would match on the navigator's side.

Alternatively, I could gut the nav's door and add NASCAR bars, but I need to find a window solution.

NoCoast, is this the build thread that you were referring to?
Another RWD car joins the fray
What a fantastic build! I can't really tell what he did with the door glass/lexan. The navigator's door looks like it still has the electric regulator.

Thanks again for the input!

Steve

I think he might have been referring to Hintz's old WRX. Not sure on the thread though. Dzus fasteners were mentioned if I recall.

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steveracer13
Thanks guys! The car, an e30 BMW, was built for road-race with a quality cage, 1.75x.90 DOM. I'll still need to do some cage work.

be sure to study RallyAmerica/NASA rally cage rules for other areas....most 'road race' cages I've seen are missing a lot compared to rally cages, not just in the door bar areas.

A-pillar bars
gussets at any 'X' intersection.
main hoop X or V, along with roof X or V (read rules for more details)

you might have some other bars that are superfluous.


got pics?

Thanks Jon. I'll try to get pics this week.

I'm certain there are other tubes that need to be added, at least it is a solid foundation.

Technically, you don't need windows if you want to just run a window net.

Andrew

Sounds dusty.

http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?7,49736,49839#msg-49839

Here's the post I was talking about.

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NoCoast

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Jon Burke

Most? All. It's a required item at least for RA.
Lexan with ability to boot them out. I think Dave Clark posted how he did them on Hintz's car recently for a good method.

Where? i just searched through the rule book, hammer, and punch find nothing at all. looking at Window finds 19 results, none mention requiring a punch.

so I don't think its required by the rules (unless you can point where in the rule book)

still a good idea though !

6.4.A.17.a
As part of the first aid kit.
And now I correct myself. It's not the window breaker but the seatbelt cutter that is required. I always buy the dual unit that does both. Not that it matters though since I keep it in my first aid kit in the back of the car. Or I might have zip tied it to the cage on the codrivers side. But okay, I stand corrected!

Hmm.. i should pick up a combination unit and have it mounted between the two seats (so either occupant can reach it)

I have a belt cutter, but like you in the back of my car.. Guess as long as one person can get freed they can then help the other person. but not an ideal situation

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SIP-81000/ (Who can link me to a cheaper one???)

Glass breaker, Belt Cutter, LED flash light, noise maker (alarm)/ stroby flasher .

an extra flash light is nice too. Guess i could pick one of these up. i think installing a small ring (key ring) inside the center console (change?) area would work. then connect this device via carabiner. so no matter your orientation you can easily reach it, and use it ..

hmmm...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/05/2011 02:11PM by A1337STI.