Roll Cage or Roll Bar???

Eviljagtech · Post by **Eviljagtech** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 4:36 pm

Ok, i have a 91 Escort wagon with a 00 Escort motor and Zetec trans. The question is, for a hard top SM1 class car do i require a Roll Bar or Cage?

Rick Kase · Post by **Rick Kase** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 7:49 pm

Since you are running a special class you need a full cage. All specials need to follow the GCR.

Eviljagtech · Post by **Eviljagtech** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 12:17 am

ok now i'm confused? I was looking at over what other people have done and came across JekylandHyde's website. There it says that he has a 6 point roll bar. I know he runs in SM2 which i thought was the same other then the 2 seater thing. So is it a cage or 6 point- 4 point roll bar. Also, what in the world is a "special class" car. I hunted through the rule book and found nothing to say what they are.

P.S. This is for JekylandHyde, i noticed your car has no carpet? I didn't think that was legal in the SM classes.

reddodge85 · Post by **reddodge85** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 9:08 am

I'm afraid most of the guys are up at Rose Valley at this point. A special class car is one that doesn't fit in any other class, iirc they are classified by weight and engine displacement.

Steve Tumolo · Post by **Steve Tumolo** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 9:33 am

I don't mean to speak for Rick but I think he might have misread your question. He might think you were asking about SP1. If I am wrong he will be sure to let me know

There is a SM1 class. There used to just be Street Mod But as the class caught on there started to become desparity between the cars. In response to this the classes were split into Street Mod 1 (SM1) and Street Mod 2 (SM2). I am not sure how the classes are split but I am thinking it comes down to vehicle weight. The spirit of the class remains in that you take a vehicle manufacture and you throw anything you can at the car as long as it is from the same company that made the chassis. I ran a '85 Mustang GT with a 351 Cleveland for a few years. That engine was never offerd in a '85 Mustang but since it was a Ford motor in a Ford car it was allowed.
I am not sure about the carpet thing. But the way it used to be the carpet had to be intact. As well as every other accsesory. You also used to have the car "State Inspectable". Meaning the headlights had to work, turn signals, and wipers had to work, full exhaust and D.O.T tires.

reddodge85 · Post by **reddodge85** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 3:55 pm

Thanks Steve, I only remembered SM in auto-x's.

Rick Kase · Post by **Rick Kase** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 6:15 pm

My mistake, I thought you indicated that the car was in the special classes. those need a full cage.
If the car is in the street mod class(s) follow that specific class rule.

Matt Green · Post by **Matt Green** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 11:10 pm

To answer the original question: You only NEED a bar at minimum for Street Mod (Usually you don't include the "1").

That being said, I STRONGLY suggest a full cage. I mean, isn't your safety worth the few $$ difference and the little extra time involved?

Eviljagtech · Post by **Eviljagtech** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:19 pm

OK, i do know a full cage is better, but when someone else is building it and installing it, its not a few extra dollars. I think i'll start with a roll bar, use the extra money into safety equipment and repairs to prep the vehical for nest year.

JekylandHyde · Post by **JekylandHyde** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:07 pm

Eviljagtech, My roll bar was built to meet SCCA and NHRA rules. NHRA requires a forward diagonal bar on the driver side. I had an extra one put in on the p-side to keep the car structural equal/and rigid.

As for no carpet, if you were looking at my roll bar photos:
http://www.jekylhyderacing.com/rollbar.htm
That was when I just has the bar installed.
Notice that it is not painted or padded yet.
All of the carpeting was removed for the install.

Here are more recent photos:
http://www.jekylhyderacing.com/images/h ... arger1.jpg
http://www.thespeedlounge.com/FeatureRide/06-06/012.jpg

If you are building an SM car, you are allowed to remove your back seats.

Eviljagtech · Post by **Eviljagtech** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:20 pm

ok, thank you that cleared alot up