SCCA just made some changes in their roll cage specs (GCR Section 18) that affects pretty much anyone building a cage for road racing. The changes are effective 1/1/2008 are are listed in the October Fasttrack here:

http://scca.com/documents/Fastrack/07-fastrack-oct.pdf

Change Summary

Main Hoop Bracing: Diagonal in the plane of the main hoop or in the plane of the rear braces (rear brace option added). Horizontal brace in the plane of the main hoop now required (was optional).

Side Protection: Two side tubes across both door openings (now required). Can be an "X" or a NASCAR style double door bar. Side protection can extend into the door itself and doors can be gutted, although any side impact beams, door latches, and the outside door handle must be retained and unmodified.

Attaching Points: .080" thick plates no more then 144 square inches each and no longer then 15" on any one side (changed side length limits).

If you're building a cage or having someone build one for you buy the SCCA rule book for 2008. There are differences in cage requirements based on the competition category (SS, T, IT, GT, Prod, etc.) Lots of previously legal bolt-in cages are going to have to be modified by the manufacturers to meet these rule changes. Existing cages will not be grandfathered per the rumors I've heard - the door bars will need to be upgraded by 1/1/2008.

Also, the days of the $1,800 Improved Touring Cage are gone. Figure a minimum of $2,500 (more likely $3,000) to have someone build a cage in your 350Z.

 

Well this fawking blows. I didn't see anyone get killed this year because of a bad cage, why the change? Is this the same for Solo?

 

Solo2 doesn't require roll cages or roll bars. Solo1 uses its own subset of GCR Section 18 and I don't know if the changes have propogated to the Solo1 (Solo Trials) rule book.

Why the change? Because its safer running double door bars and SCCA is now catching up with all the Pro racing series and FIA requirements. The change has been needed for a long time. Its been essentially in place for two years and I haven't built or installed a single door bar cage (except for the 24 Hours of Lemons car) since 2004.

 

I know that cages are not required. This does not mean that they are not allowed.

 

I am pretty sure they have a grandfather clause, but you will need a 07' log book. Which btw SCCA is being dicks about giving out to people now who are trying to finish up a started project.

 

What kind of a statement is this?? It's for safety!

 

Here here

Lets get the SCCA to make remote fire extinguishers mandatory too and external cutoff switches for all cars ....driving suits for all competitors and cpr certify all SCCA members just in case....as a matter of fact lets make it EMT certified, cant be too safe

Its about safety, who cares what it costs members, they have no choice but to comply right? After all, its for safety!

 

Its already required or you can mount a 10lb. hand held fire extinguisher.

Already required.

Already required.

For a competition license you need a physical every couple years and annually if you're over 50 (I think).

Yup. If you can't afford wheel-to-wheel racing there's always time trials and solo2.