Need a roll bar?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 83
Likes: 2
From: CO
Need a roll bar? My vert is stock and would like to see what it can do down the 1/4mi this summer. This is my first vert and always use to love to bring my old GTP to the track. But my buddie said I may not be allowed to race my car do to it not having a rollbar, is this true or bs? I have tried emailing the tracks in my area to see the rules/regs but have not gotten a response back. So based on my fellow vert owners exsperience have you been able to run your stock/near stock vert down the 1/4mi without a rollbar/cage? Thanks
If you are not racing it all the time you should be okay. Most people won't even look twice at a 13 second or slower run. I have run in to the low 12's with mine and the car has done 11's with no cage. If they are strict after the run they will tell you no more racing. Not a big deal.
TECH Regular
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 459
Likes: 18
http://www.nhraonline.com/contacts/tech_faq.html
A roll bar is required in any convertible running 13.49 seconds or quicker in the quarter mile, and in other cars beginning at 11.49.
Again, that's the "rules." It all depends on how strict your tech inspector is. All they'll do at most is say you ran too fast, no more racing for you until you pass tech.
A roll bar is required in any convertible running 13.49 seconds or quicker in the quarter mile, and in other cars beginning at 11.49.
Again, that's the "rules." It all depends on how strict your tech inspector is. All they'll do at most is say you ran too fast, no more racing for you until you pass tech.
If you are not racing it all the time you should be okay. Most people won't even look twice at a 13 second or slower run. I have run in to the low 12's with mine and the car has done 11's with no cage. If they are strict after the run they will tell you no more racing. Not a big deal.
Not as big of a deal as spending 600 for a cage for your 13 second weekend cruiser that you like to drive the kids around in. Worst case scenario you watch some races and waste some gas. Big deal.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 83
Likes: 2
From: CO
Cool thanks guys, I quess the best thing to do is try getting ahold of the track again before I head out there this summer. 01 ss vert I know what you mean, I made a 6 hr drive when I used to live in Alaska to go to the only track in the state. But I got turned around for no longshirt/pants and a helmet. I was extremely mad but I ended up going camping anyway. lol
I know where I run they asked me before my first pass in my convertible if I had a helmet, I said yes, they told me if I break 14.0 I will have to wear it. Went 13.8 on the first trip and they were immediately on me in the staging lanes to be helmeted. They didn't mention a roll bar though, and my best was only 13.6 - so I was ok. Really just gonna depend on the track you're at - I would go for it, and if the kick you out, they kick you out.
NHRA has a rule that exempts anything stock from having to have a cage... Look at the '09+ cts-v's and ZR1's that are running deep in the 10's. They don't have to have a bar, just a helment.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 83
Likes: 2
From: CO
So I take it that you run your car at brandimer? That is were I would like to run my car at. I tried emailing them but still no response (I quess it is to early in the season). Do you require a helmet and longpants/shirt? I hear you on the elevation too it's nice but also sucks. Thanks
I have ran my vert with no roll bar from the time it was new, as I did the mods to it. When the car got into the low 12's I called Wolfe and ordered a mild steel 6 point weld in, it is still setting on the floor in the shop. I did have someone bitch at an event that I didn't have a roll bar, tech talked to me and told me to finish the nite and don't come back without one. Dress properly (long pants, shirt, socks & shoes), & have a helmet. Most tracks will not bang you or will tell you to slow it down.
