SpecFocus Cage rules and pics? - The Ford Focus Forum

**ZX3TUNING** · 03-14-2009, 02:13 PM

I'm building a Focus race car for a customer and while we do not have a Spec focus series up here, we are both interested in building the car to comply with Spec rules so if at any time the car can be quickly changed to be be able to run in the SF series.

i'm mainly interested in the mounting locations, door bars and bracing required/allowed by the rules and what is acceptable for overbuilding.
Originally we were going to build the cage to Grand-AM spec as it seems to be the most comprehensive for cross over with most sanctioning bodies but i wasn't sure if this would be Legal for NASA.

I've read the rules but would like to see some of the different interpritaions of them if possible! Oh and ZX3/SVT body style preferred but any pics would be awesome!

Thanks!

**Ted7rns** · 03-14-2009, 02:38 PM

All Our cages must meet NASA CCR Regs. I have seen Grand-Am cages and the ones I have seen have all been legal for NASA.

I think all Grand-Am Cages must me 1.750” x 0.095” DOM, which is also good for SF, but we can also use 1.500” x 0.120” DOM

Check with the CCR's
http://www.nasaproracing.com/rules/ccr.pdf

**SVTBuckeye** · 03-15-2009, 05:57 PM

One of the considerations is the CCR does not allow additional attachments to the body other than the basic 6 points. The point is a cage for safety, not extra rigidity of the chassey.

The CCR is pretty clear and you should have no trouble understanding.

**ZX3TUNING** · 03-16-2009, 09:48 PM

OK, well something totally got lost in my message then...

i have read the rules but i am looking mainly for pics to see how some have built their cages to comply with these rules and what is or isn't allowed or will pass tech or be given a conditional pass or even grandfathered into the rules.

this is what i'm talking about... here is the suggested cage by the CCR:

here is a pic of Door bars on Matt's car that JUST sold:

Here is the pic of the Porsche Grand-AM Door bars:

Notice how Matt's door bars are much different from the suggestion in the CCR?
I'm curious to see how others have interpreted the rules and built their cages and what's acceptable and not from a Tech/legality issue

As far as additional bracing goes. If a car is built for another form of racing; say hillclimb, timeattack or even top end clubracing under different rules... can the car, as long as it's running approved SF parts be grandfathered on or granted conditional approval within SF if the cage is well over built to the CCR? for instance, A&B pillar bracing, gussets at all critical joint intersections...

SF is not what the car is being built for nor is there an intention of actively campaigning it in the SF series. however, if some simple parts changes are done to make the car legal to every other marker for the SF series, would a overbuilt cage cause the car to be DQ'ed from running in events? I ask this because there will inevitably be a SF race somewhere at sometime that ISN'T that far out of the way that this car could run in between events it normally would run in.

hope that clears up some confusion...

so to summarize, please post pics of you cages!

THANKS!

**BUR_ZX3** · 03-17-2009, 12:16 AM

My interpretation from the rules is that there simply has to be two bars that connect from the A-Pillar to the B-Pillar on the driver's side, and one on the passenger side. There is no requirement for how, where or in what direction they must do so.

I know a lot of guys run "NASCAR bars" that protrude into the door, and that is my plan as well once the custom cage goes in.

Best idea would be to locate a tech in your local area and talk to them about it, since they'd ultimately be signing off on it.

**brads03zx3** · 03-17-2009, 01:44 AM

While this is not a focus, the scion in this album has an overbuilt cage that is NASA legal.

http://gallery.aboutgardner.com/gallery/Build-Pics

The car has ran with Grand Am. A few changes have been made, though I don't believe any of those changes were for legality reasons.

**ghostrider86** · 03-17-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brads03zx3

While this is not a focus, the scion in this album has an overbuilt cage that is NASA legal.

http://gallery.aboutgardner.com/gallery/Build-Pics

The car has ran with Grand Am. A few changes have been made, though I don't believe any of those changes were for legality reasons.

Wow, impressive door bar design! I likey!

**ZX3TUNING** · 03-17-2009, 10:01 PM

see now that's what i'm talking about...

any SF owners care to show some pics of their cages or is it all top secret?!

Brad,
that's an interesting design on the lower protrusion bar... any specific reason the builder decided to attach it to the for-aft door x-bars and not to the vertical hoops?

**ckisner** · 03-18-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZX3TUNING

any SF owners care to show some pics of their cages or is it all top secret?!

mine is the same as leo's since he did it. there used to be a CAD drawing floating around here somewhere that showed the layout. maybe leo still has it and can post it. otherwise i can take some pics.

**Ted7rns** · 03-18-2009, 05:34 PM

Leo also did Matt's car as well.

**Ted7rns** · 03-18-2009, 05:41 PM

If you look at NASA Spec Focus rule 23.15, It states; The roll cage must comply with the roll cage standards of the NASA CCR. We don't have our own set of rules for the Cages.

Both pictures you have shown (Matt's car and the Grand-Am car) would pass NASA CCRs. I just don't think we have a lot of guys who have taking pictures of their cages. No secret.

**PhocusOnMy2.0LZeTeC** · 03-21-2009, 07:38 PM

Mitch I don't want to take your thread off topic, but I dont know how to reach you. Your PM box is full and your profile wont allow me to send you an email.

**BadIdea** · 03-21-2009, 09:20 PM

**BadIdea** · 03-21-2009, 09:25 PM

**ZX3TUNING** · 03-21-2009, 09:29 PM

interesting....

**PM box cleared**

**BadIdea** · 03-21-2009, 09:32 PM

LCR cage. I just had nascar bars added to the right side so I can run a passenger seat. Fuse box, computer, obd port, and hood release were mounted a little better. Added a fire extinguisher.

**joylee** · 09-07-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brads03zx3

While this is not a focus, the scion in this album has an overbuilt cage that is NASA legal.

http://gallery.aboutgardner.com/gallery/Build-Pics

The car has ran with Grand Am. A few changes have been made, though I don't believe any of those changes were for legality reasons.

The bar design on the car sure looks like a winner to me! lovin' it!

03-14-2009, 02:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
ZX3TUNING Black EAPs = Love. Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Vancouver, BC. Canada Posts: 2,279	SpecFocus Cage rules and pics? I'm building a Focus race car for a customer and while we do not have a Spec focus series up here, we are both interested in building the car to comply with Spec rules so if at any time the car can be quickly changed to be be able to run in the SF series. i'm mainly interested in the mounting locations, door bars and bracing required/allowed by the rules and what is acceptable for overbuilding. Originally we were going to build the cage to Grand-AM spec as it seems to be the most comprehensive for cross over with most sanctioning bodies but i wasn't sure if this would be Legal for NASA. I've read the rules but would like to see some of the different interpritaions of them if possible! Oh and ZX3/SVT body style preferred but any pics would be awesome! Thanks! __________________ Power in Style.... *ZX3Tuning* Part of Conglomerate Motorwerks! Mitch A.

03-14-2009, 02:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ted7rns Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thousand Oaks, California Posts: 4,646	Re: SpecFocus Cage rules and pics? All Our cages must meet NASA CCR Regs. I have seen Grand-Am cages and the ones I have seen have all been legal for NASA. I think all Grand-Am Cages must me 1.750” x 0.095” DOM, which is also good for SF, but we can also use 1.500” x 0.120” DOM Check with the CCR's http://www.nasaproracing.com/rules/ccr.pdf __________________ 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 Malibu Blue

03-15-2009, 05:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
SVTBuckeye TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Pataskala Ohio Posts: 792	Re: SpecFocus Cage rules and pics? One of the considerations is the CCR does not allow additional attachments to the body other than the basic 6 points. The point is a cage for safety, not extra rigidity of the chassey. The CCR is pretty clear and you should have no trouble understanding. __________________ LEM 2007,2008, 2009 NASA Spec Focus racer w/ LCR racing 2002 SVT, Sonic Blue, NO options, vehicle 896 of 4788 Held at the factory Apr-June 02

03-16-2009, 09:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
ZX3TUNING Black EAPs = Love. Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Vancouver, BC. Canada Posts: 2,279	Re: SpecFocus Cage rules and pics? OK, well something totally got lost in my message then... i have read the rules but i am looking mainly for pics to see how some have built their cages to comply with these rules and what is or isn't allowed or will pass tech or be given a conditional pass or even grandfathered into the rules. this is what i'm talking about... here is the suggested cage by the CCR: here is a pic of Door bars on Matt's car that JUST sold: Here is the pic of the Porsche Grand-AM Door bars: Notice how Matt's door bars are much different from the suggestion in the CCR? I'm curious to see how others have interpreted the rules and built their cages and what's acceptable and not from a Tech/legality issue As far as additional bracing goes. If a car is built for another form of racing; say hillclimb, timeattack or even top end clubracing under different rules... can the car, as long as it's running approved SF parts be grandfathered on or granted conditional approval within SF if the cage is well over built to the CCR? for instance, A&B pillar bracing, gussets at all critical joint intersections... SF is not what the car is being built for nor is there an intention of actively campaigning it in the SF series. however, if some simple parts changes are done to make the car legal to every other marker for the SF series, would a overbuilt cage cause the car to be DQ'ed from running in events? I ask this because there will inevitably be a SF race somewhere at sometime that ISN'T that far out of the way that this car could run in between events it normally would run in. hope that clears up some confusion... so to summarize, please post pics of you cages! THANKS! __________________ Power in Style.... *ZX3Tuning* Part of Conglomerate Motorwerks! Mitch A.

03-17-2009, 12:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
BUR_ZX3 [FJ] Addict Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Little Saint Clara, Isle of Queen Califia Posts: 36,454	Re: SpecFocus Cage rules and pics? My interpretation from the rules is that there simply has to be two bars that connect from the A-Pillar to the B-Pillar on the driver's side, and one on the passenger side. There is no requirement for how, where or in what direction they must do so. I know a lot of guys run "NASCAR bars" that protrude into the door, and that is my plan as well once the custom cage goes in. Best idea would be to locate a tech in your local area and talk to them about it, since they'd ultimately be signing off on it. __________________ Focus Challenge Director \| Redline Time Attack Host and Emcee \| Spec Focus Racer

03-17-2009, 01:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
brads03zx3 [FJ] Addict Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 11,660	Re: SpecFocus Cage rules and pics? While this is not a focus, the scion in this album has an overbuilt cage that is NASA legal. http://gallery.aboutgardner.com/gallery/Build-Pics The car has ran with Grand Am. A few changes have been made, though I don't believe any of those changes were for legality reasons. __________________ Mountain Tested----'03 zetec ZX3 vs MNTN - 15-1 & ZX3 vs TRACK - 23/1 *JCM Racing #88* Back to Dual Purpose Focusing Vacuum Vulture Racing - We add stiffness

03-17-2009, 10:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
ZX3TUNING Black EAPs = Love. Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Vancouver, BC. Canada Posts: 2,279	Re: SpecFocus Cage rules and pics? see now that's what i'm talking about... any SF owners care to show some pics of their cages or is it all top secret?! Brad, that's an interesting design on the lower protrusion bar... any specific reason the builder decided to attach it to the for-aft door x-bars and not to the vertical hoops? __________________ Power in Style.... *ZX3Tuning* Part of Conglomerate Motorwerks! Mitch A. Last edited by ZX3TUNING; 03-18-2009 at 02:56 PM.

03-18-2009, 05:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
Ted7rns Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thousand Oaks, California Posts: 4,646	Re: SpecFocus Cage rules and pics? Leo also did Matt's car as well. __________________ 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 Malibu Blue

03-18-2009, 05:41 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ted7rns Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thousand Oaks, California Posts: 4,646	Re: SpecFocus Cage rules and pics? If you look at NASA Spec Focus rule 23.15, It states; The roll cage must comply with the roll cage standards of the NASA CCR. We don't have our own set of rules for the Cages. Both pictures you have shown (Matt's car and the Grand-Am car) would pass NASA CCRs. I just don't think we have a lot of guys who have taking pictures of their cages. No secret. __________________ 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 Malibu Blue Last edited by Ted7rns; 03-18-2009 at 05:47 PM.

03-21-2009, 07:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
PhocusOnMy2.0LZeTeC Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kailua Kona, HI Posts: 4,977	Re: SpecFocus Cage rules and pics? Mitch I don't want to take your thread off topic, but I dont know how to reach you. Your PM box is full and your profile wont allow me to send you an email. __________________ FasTrax Turbo Our turbos suck hot air http://www.fastraxturbo.net/

03-21-2009, 09:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
BadIdea Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Cleveland Posts: 2,415	Re: SpecFocus Cage rules and pics? __________________ '02 svt spec focus silver/black PCA National DE Instructor #200503 107

03-21-2009, 09:25 PM	#14 (permalink)
BadIdea Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Cleveland Posts: 2,415	Re: SpecFocus Cage rules and pics? __________________ '02 svt spec focus silver/black PCA National DE Instructor #200503 107

03-21-2009, 09:29 PM	#15 (permalink)
ZX3TUNING Black EAPs = Love. Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Vancouver, BC. Canada Posts: 2,279	Re: SpecFocus Cage rules and pics? interesting.... PM box cleared __________________ Power in Style.... *ZX3Tuning* Part of Conglomerate Motorwerks! Mitch A.

03-21-2009, 09:32 PM	#16 (permalink)
BadIdea Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Cleveland Posts: 2,415	Re: SpecFocus Cage rules and pics? LCR cage. I just had nascar bars added to the right side so I can run a passenger seat. Fuse box, computer, obd port, and hood release were mounted a little better. Added a fire extinguisher. __________________ '02 svt spec focus silver/black PCA National DE Instructor #200503 107

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