Official TGPR PDX 5-9-09 Thread

[chuck schultz]

I'd bet that we're still waiting for the supplemental regulations (local ground rules) to be approved at the national office. 'Til then, it's not really kosher to accept registrations.

[Jab31169]

So whats the rule on hardtops for this one? 5pts and arm restraints?? 3pts and arm restraints?? Please clear it up so I can decide if I qualify for this event or not because I still cannot find a hardtop.

[JohnW8]

So whats the rule on hardtops for this one? 5pts and arm restraints?? 3pts and arm restraints?? Please clear it up so I can decide if I qualify for this event or not because I still cannot find a hardtop.

MIATAS MIATAS MIATAS will be good IF they have a 4 point rollbar that is minimum of 2 inches over the top of a helmeted head, IF NOT 2 inches over the head, a hardtop would be required. Arm restraints only work properly with a minimum 5point harness. Arm restraints will not work properly with a factory 3 point seatbelt. Evan is the event chair and will be the definitive final answer but remember both driver and passenger seat need to be equally equipped. If you got a fancy Cobra Suzuka seat for the driver the passenger needs one too, along with the harnesses and restraints. Hope it's clear enough and there's been 2 hardtops for sale on this site in the last few months and a couple sold through The Parts Group. They haven't been free, but they were available.

[chuck schultz]

This part of the thread reminds me of one of the reasons I selected an Escort GT as a track car. . .

[EWaugh]

From ths supps:

3. All convertible cars must have either factory rollover protection and/or a proper roll bar/roll cage. Properly installed arm restraints must be in place for both driver and Instructor. When in driving position helmets must be below the bar. (Factory rollover protection is what late model Mercedes, Porsche and BMW utilize. Please ask early and bring documentation if there is any question.) if driver has harnesses, etc., the same safety equipment should be provided for the Instructor. The better the safety equipment for your Instructor the happier your Instructor will be. Additionally, participants with convertibles who possess hardtops should use them, those without hardtops are encouraged to run with the soft top up. Any race prepared car that has no top must meet all safety rules per the SCCA GCR.
4. ALSCCA reserves the right to refuse any entrant should they or their vehicle be deemed unsafe.

There is a way to make arm restraints work with a three point, but I want to run it by safety before I post it on here.

[Jab31169]

blah blah blah

[zukitek]

Its been a while since I saw your car .How is it presently prepared?on the flipside ,if the miata cant qualify,bring the viper or the daytona You bave COPIOUS amounts of options

RR

[Jab31169]

Its been a while since I saw your car .How is it presently prepared?on the flipside ,if the miata cant qualify,bring the viper or the daytona You bave COPIOUS amounts of options

RR

Safety wise, stock seats, stock belts, harddog hardcore m2. Should be plenty close to 2" below the bar. I've been looking for a top but not as much as some apparently. The last one I looked at in person had a nice big ol crack in it.

The daytona I have to find a seat for the passenger...that car is the bain of my track days...issue after issue with that car.

The viper, well lets just say im not prepared for an off track excursion in that car, I'll leave that up the father-in-law.

[zukitek]

Looks like its a trade off money wise .Seats and harnesses and arm restraints ...or a top.Youre in like flint with a top.

The Daytona was just a joke BTW.


RR

[g1teg]

Can I put in a request to settle this and just have Chris be my instructor?

Now there's a student I can deal with!

[Jab31169]

Looks like its a trade off money wise .Seats and harnesses and arm restraints ...or a top.Youre in like flint with a top.

The Daytona was just a joke BTW.


RR

Prob not gonna be either unless something falls in my lap. The current state of the economy doesn't factor too well into me purchasing seats and harnesses right now. A hardtop might as its resale value is high...

[farrout]

From ths supps:

3. All convertible cars must have either factory rollover protection and/or a proper roll bar/roll cage. Properly installed arm restraints must be in place for both driver and Instructor. When in driving position helmets must be below the bar. (Factory rollover protection is what late model Mercedes, Porsche and BMW utilize. Please ask early and bring documentation if there is any question.) if driver has harnesses, etc., the same safety equipment should be provided for the Instructor. The better the safety equipment for your Instructor the happier your Instructor will be. Additionally, participants with convertibles who possess hardtops should use them, those without hardtops are encouraged to run with the soft top up. Any race prepared car that has no top must meet all safety rules per the SCCA GCR.
4. ALSCCA reserves the right to refuse any entrant should they or their vehicle be deemed unsafe.

There is a way to make arm restraints work with a three point, but I want to run it by safety before I post it on here.

"Any race prepared car that has no top must meet all safety rules per the SCCA GCR." Is a TT prepared car considered a "race prepared car"?

A Miata prepared to the Street Prepared TT rules easily meets/exceeds the requirements for a PDX excepting the requirement for instructor preparations. IMHO a Miata with a 4 point rollbar provides more protection than most hardtop cars without a rollbar. Ever seen a BMW top crush to the doorsills in a rollover? Sadly, I have on more than one occasion. On the other hand, a 93 Mazda RX7 top is pretty stout in a rollover (have pictures somewhere).

From a safety standpoint, running a Miata with the soft top up may not be the best way to go. Who knows where the soft top frame goes in a roll-over?

[farrout]

Prob not gonna be either unless something falls in my lap. The current state of the economy doesn't factor too well into me purchasing seats and harnesses right now. A hardtop might as its resale value is high...

PDX does not require a race seat. Harnesses and arm restraints are required.

For the Miata - borrow a 5 or 6 point harness from someone. Since TT harnesses can be up to 5 years old, there should be a few road racers who have outdated harnesses (their limit is 2 years for SFI) and would sell them cheaply. Anchor the sub straps to the front seat bolts (may require a longer bolt). Put eye bolts in place of the lap belt anchor bolt and in the bolt holding the seat slider to the tunnel. use clips for the harness lap belt ends. Or you can just anchor the lap belt to these bolts. Arm restraints are $20-25 or borrow them from some formula car racer (Geoff Knight?)

Inexpensive enough?

[EWaugh]

You can use the arm restraints with a three point. Clip the D ring of the arm restraint around the male end of the buckle, just lik eyou would with a harness, and make sure you have enough adjustment to reach everything you need to reach.

[BoostedFD]

Registration should now be open!!!!! If there are any problems let Evan or me know.