Roll bar or not?

I have a 95 Z28 convert and was wondering if it is mandatory to have a roll bar for autocross.? What rule book do I need?

They've never stopped me at any of the AutoX events I've been to, and I always race with the top down :)

-Rob

You dont need one for autocrossing. I think if you do it could even change your class from stock up from the extra bracing. Not sure though. Anyway they are nice to have for the camera mounts :)

--Kevin

I may be wrong but I believe that (at least with SCCA rules), adding a role bar is encouraged for safety reasons although definitely not required for autocross - best of all, adding one does not change your class but you still get the benefit of increased rigidity. Of course whether and/or how much you need to use your back seat area has to be part of your decision too <smile>.

If you want some of the benefit of a role bar without the inconvenience, there are braces that mount to the rear seatbelt mounts that not only allow you to attach a full fledged harness but also can mount cameras, etc. That's what I plan to install once this season is done in my area.

Check the rules to be sure, but I think you have to bolt in the roll bar or cage in stock, and welded moves you up in class.

there's been some discussion elsewhere (LS1.com?) about the cons of having a roll bar....had to do with what happens during a bad accident, and the likelihood of bashing yourself or a passenger with a rigid steel bar right behind your heads....

yes, during autocross or drag racing, you will have a helmet on...but what about the 99% of the time you're behind the wheel and do NOT have one on?

something to think about.....i've never been that serious about getting one, so i'm sorry but i don't remember the details of the thread i'm talking about........but for anyone serious about it, i would recommend doing quite a bit of searching to make sure that you REALLY want one...

In my car its probably actually safer w/ the rollbar at all times than with out it. I got Sparco seats that dont adjust (solid shells) and the wont break back if I roll my car (which is a t-top). So my head would be what gets hit when the windshield crushes. I dont think I would hit it in a regular collision (its a bar rather than a cage, so its a few inches behind me and my seat goes to the top of my head) but you of course never know. It is a good point to make though, especially w/ cages. In a vert I'd take my chances w/ the bar in personally though.

My $0.02 :)

--Kevin