NEW Race car rollcage rules change 3-25-08 - Focaljet

**CCapaldi** · 03-25-2008, 12:05 PM

I ran across this on the nasa forums, it states this rule was just updated but I'm not sure as I can't find the previous version. I figured it would be a good heads up to anyone before your first race.

"15.6.7 Diagonal Brace"

One (1) diagonal brace shall be used in the same plane as the main hoop. The diagonal
must be one piece.* One end of the diagonal brace shall attach to the corner, or
horizontal part, of the main hoop above the driver’s head, within twelve (12) inches of the
driver’s-side corner. The other end of the diagonal brace shall attach to the mounting
plate (or to the main hoop as close to the mounting plate as practically possible)
diagonally opposed to the driver’s head (passenger floor).

*This is not intended to disallow bolt-in diagonals.
Note- there have been cases where a horizontal bar is installed in the plane of the main
hoop, then the diagonal. This results in the diagonal bar terminating on the horizontal
bar instead of the required termination point. The diagonal should be installed first."

http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=21256

**brads03zx3** · 03-25-2008, 02:29 PM

I don't remember them clarifying that the diagonal must be a single solid piece. I have seen them fish mouth into the horizontal, then continue to the base mounting plate on the passenger side. That would no longer be legal.

I have also seen the horizontal bar bent behind the plane of the main hoop, which seems to be legal in this case.

**CCapaldi** · 03-25-2008, 02:42 PM

Thats the reason behind the clarifacation I believe, I've also seen cages done in both configurations.

Just trying to make sure no one gets a surprize at thier first race.

**BUR_ZX3** · 03-25-2008, 02:51 PM

Brad the way you describe, while strong, is prone to failure in a roll. Think about where the force is coming from... the top and not the sides. So you wanna have a solid bar extending from top to bottom, and the pieces attached side to side.

I thought this was already a rule.... but glad it is now!

**sleeperlove** · 03-25-2008, 02:54 PM

So the autopower par is no longer legal for race cars?

**brads03zx3** · 03-25-2008, 03:07 PM

I agree Toddles. The diagonal is the supporting triangulation. The horizontal bar is typically for belts, which will see much less force.

I believe the autopower bars will still be legal, if it is one piece.

I don't know if this would be considered legal (with the front half) but I wouldn't run it in wheel to wheel. from the wording it does seem like it would be legal.

**Ted7rns** · 03-25-2008, 03:13 PM

You're right Brad, the autopower bars are okay because it only has one diagonal bar that is the same plane as the main hoop.

I believe it's the same rule just a clarification of the rule. As far as I know it's always been one diagonal brace that needs to be the same plane as the main hoop.

**brads03zx3** · 03-25-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted7rns

I believe it's the same rule just a clarification of the rule. As far as I know it's always been one diagonal brace that needs to be the same plane as the main hoop.

Correct, but I don't believe the rule stated the diagonal had to be one continuous bar.

**Ted7rns** · 03-25-2008, 03:35 PM

Right, it only said one piece before, which I always thought it meant continuous. If it was split, it would be two pieces, right?

They just want to make sure that you put the diagonal first, then the horizontal which can be split or non-continous.

**JimmySolo2** · 03-25-2008, 09:17 PM

So what happens to guys that had cages built before the rules change? The rear half of my cage was built in 2003, but I don't know if I could be grandfathered in because I dont have a log book.

**brads03zx3** · 03-25-2008, 09:18 PM

Cut out your diagonal/horizontal bars and have them welded in correctly.

**JimmySolo2** · 03-25-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUR_ZX3

Brad the way you describe, while strong, is prone to failure in a roll. Think about where the force is coming from... the top and not the sides. So you wanna have a solid bar extending from top to bottom, and the pieces attached side to side.

I agree the solid diagonal would be stronger, but really how much so? If the diagonal is failing then so is the main hoop.

**Ted7rns** · 03-31-2008, 02:38 PM

Here's what Jerry says about this topic.

"Tell them that our intent is not to disallow those diagonals that are properly installed just because the horizontal intersects it. Technically, it doesn't conform to the letter of the rules, but we will let it go.

Again, there has been NO CHANGE in the way we are doing things. The clarification in there is to get cage builders to start installing the diagonal first.

You can post that above." Jerry Kunzman 3-28-2008

03-25-2008, 12:05 PM	#1
CCapaldi Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Richmond, MI Posts: 74	NEW Race car rollcage rules change 3-25-08 I ran across this on the nasa forums, it states this rule was just updated but I'm not sure as I can't find the previous version. I figured it would be a good heads up to anyone before your first race. "15.6.7 Diagonal Brace" One (1) diagonal brace shall be used in the same plane as the main hoop. The diagonal must be one piece.* One end of the diagonal brace shall attach to the corner, or horizontal part, of the main hoop above the driver’s head, within twelve (12) inches of the driver’s-side corner. The other end of the diagonal brace shall attach to the mounting plate (or to the main hoop as close to the mounting plate as practically possible) diagonally opposed to the driver’s head (passenger floor). *This is not intended to disallow bolt-in diagonals. Note- there have been cases where a horizontal bar is installed in the plane of the main hoop, then the diagonal. This results in the diagonal bar terminating on the horizontal bar instead of the required termination point. The diagonal should be installed first." http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=21256 __________________ 2007 & 2008 Spec Focus National Champion

03-25-2008, 02:29 PM	#2
brads03zx3 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: California Posts: 9,064	Re: NEW Race car rollcage rules change 3-25-08 I don't remember them clarifying that the diagonal must be a single solid piece. I have seen them fish mouth into the horizontal, then continue to the base mounting plate on the passenger side. That would no longer be legal. I have also seen the horizontal bar bent behind the plane of the main hoop, which seems to be legal in this case. __________________ Mountain Tested----'03 zetec DuraMonster---'03 duratec ZX3 vs MNTN - 9/0 & ZX3 vs TRACK - 4/1 *JCM Racing #88* Bouncing Back---Bigger, Faster, Stronger Vacuum Vulture Racing - We put the ARG in 'CHARGED

03-25-2008, 02:42 PM	#3
CCapaldi Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Richmond, MI Posts: 74	Re: NEW Race car rollcage rules change 3-25-08 Thats the reason behind the clarifacation I believe, I've also seen cages done in both configurations. Just trying to make sure no one gets a surprize at thier first race. __________________ 2007 & 2008 Spec Focus National Champion

03-25-2008, 02:51 PM	#4
BUR_ZX3 [FJ] Addict Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Little Saint Clara, Isle of Queen Califia Posts: 35,702	Re: NEW Race car rollcage rules change 3-25-08 Brad the way you describe, while strong, is prone to failure in a roll. Think about where the force is coming from... the top and not the sides. So you wanna have a solid bar extending from top to bottom, and the pieces attached side to side. I thought this was already a rule.... but glad it is now! __________________ Video from the final round of the Focus Challenge... Click Here

03-25-2008, 02:54 PM	#5
sleeperlove You wouldn't like me when I'm angry. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the dirt Posts: 8,493	Re: NEW Race car rollcage rules change 3-25-08 So the autopower par is no longer legal for race cars? __________________ I'm in ur posts changin ur werdz.

03-25-2008, 03:07 PM	#6
brads03zx3 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: California Posts: 9,064	Re: NEW Race car rollcage rules change 3-25-08 I agree Toddles. The diagonal is the supporting triangulation. The horizontal bar is typically for belts, which will see much less force. I believe the autopower bars will still be legal, if it is one piece. I don't know if this would be considered legal (with the front half) but I wouldn't run it in wheel to wheel. from the wording it does seem like it would be legal. __________________ Mountain Tested----'03 zetec DuraMonster---'03 duratec ZX3 vs MNTN - 9/0 & ZX3 vs TRACK - 4/1 *JCM Racing #88* Bouncing Back---Bigger, Faster, Stronger Vacuum Vulture Racing - We put the ARG in 'CHARGED

03-25-2008, 03:13 PM	#7
Ted7rns Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thousand Oaks, California Posts: 4,198	Re: NEW Race car rollcage rules change 3-25-08 You're right Brad, the autopower bars are okay because it only has one diagonal bar that is the same plane as the main hoop. I believe it's the same rule just a clarification of the rule. As far as I know it's always been one diagonal brace that needs to be the same plane as the main hoop. __________________ NASA Spec Focus Series Director \| NASA HPDE Instructor 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 Malibu Blue <23> NASA is dedicated to aspiring or accomplished Focus racers and track enthusiast. Last edited by Ted7rns : 03-25-2008 at 03:39 PM.

03-25-2008, 03:35 PM	#9
Ted7rns Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thousand Oaks, California Posts: 4,198	Re: NEW Race car rollcage rules change 3-25-08 Right, it only said one piece before, which I always thought it meant continuous. If it was split, it would be two pieces, right? They just want to make sure that you put the diagonal first, then the horizontal which can be split or non-continous. __________________ NASA Spec Focus Series Director \| NASA HPDE Instructor 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 Malibu Blue <23> NASA is dedicated to aspiring or accomplished Focus racers and track enthusiast. Last edited by Ted7rns : 03-25-2008 at 03:52 PM.

03-25-2008, 09:17 PM	#10
JimmySolo2 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Ross Twp[ N. Pittsburgh] Posts: 2,355	Re: NEW Race car rollcage rules change 3-25-08 So what happens to guys that had cages built before the rules change? The rear half of my cage was built in 2003, but I don't know if I could be grandfathered in because I dont have a log book. __________________ Who is John Galt?

03-25-2008, 09:18 PM	#11
brads03zx3 [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: California Posts: 9,064	Re: NEW Race car rollcage rules change 3-25-08 Cut out your diagonal/horizontal bars and have them welded in correctly. __________________ Mountain Tested----'03 zetec DuraMonster---'03 duratec ZX3 vs MNTN - 9/0 & ZX3 vs TRACK - 4/1 *JCM Racing #88* Bouncing Back---Bigger, Faster, Stronger Vacuum Vulture Racing - We put the ARG in 'CHARGED

03-31-2008, 02:38 PM	#13
Ted7rns Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thousand Oaks, California Posts: 4,198	Re: NEW Race car rollcage rules change 3-25-08 Here's what Jerry says about this topic. "Tell them that our intent is not to disallow those diagonals that are properly installed just because the horizontal intersects it. Technically, it doesn't conform to the letter of the rules, but we will let it go. Again, there has been NO CHANGE in the way we are doing things. The clarification in there is to get cage builders to start installing the diagonal first. You can post that above." Jerry Kunzman 3-28-2008 __________________ NASA Spec Focus Series Director \| NASA HPDE Instructor 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 Malibu Blue <23> NASA is dedicated to aspiring or accomplished Focus racers and track enthusiast.

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