IHRA roll cage spec for crate motor cars
 

I was wondering if anyone had any first hand information on any rules update reference to roll cages in crate motor stock. I spoke with Hank Blankenship a few years ago about this. He said there had been talk about allowing the roll cage thru the firewall do to safety. The cars are a bit faster than the old days, and the chassis updates had not followed. The other question is when a cage is used the seats should be upgraded to a race seat fastened to the shoulder bar. I think these issues are most important in the construction of a front wheel conversion for crate motor stock. I would like to use this type of upgrade in my Corvette build, and later on a Dodge Avenger A,B,C/FCM Thanks

Wade Mahaffey

Re: IHRA roll cage spec for crate motor cars
 

I asked this question to Mike Baker a few years ago in relation to a crate motor Hemi Dart clone I was thinking of doing. He asked if I was building a stocker or super stocker. He said yes to the SSer but no to the Stocker. Again, that was a few years ago so the rule may have been updated since.

Re: IHRA roll cage spec for crate motor cars
 

Roll cage required A-C.....Roll bar required D-M ,...... Roll bar reccomended in all classes.. Fromm IHRA 2010 rule book ,..Hope this helps......

Re: IHRA roll cage spec for crate motor cars
 

Danny, I know that you are within the circle of IHRA Tech. My question is, are they allowing foward roll cage support members thru the firewall. Some of todays Stockers are much faster than many of the Super/Stock cars, which are allowed the additional foward (thru the fire wall) bracing, adding to the overall cage structure. Roll cage developement over the years was done, and is done today to increase driver safety. If it's ok for a Super/Stocker @ 120.....why is it not for a Stocker @135. It does not make sense to me that a SS/PA car can have foward cage support with a class index of 12.95, but a AA/FIA Stocker with a class index @10.85 is not allowed?......This is about safety...not performance! It's the same as saying "stockers don't need as good a helmet or jacket"...Crashes, damage, and injuries do not know the difference between Stock and Super/Stock. It just dose'nt pass the reasonable man test. The "A" piller/post of a roll cage normally has a bend at or around the dash board. This bend needs support or will flex (in the bend) from a force straight down from the roof. This is why an "X" side bar configuration is used, to provide support to the dash bend. Another (better) way to support the dash bend is to brace the bend from the foward side (thru the dash foward cage member). I'm not saying mandate roll cage upgrades. I'm saying allow it at the owners discretion. Roll cages/chassis have been upgraded over the last few years in almost all classes ie TF,FC,PS,PM,TD,TS,S/S.....except Stock....Stock probably has had the biggest MPH gains in IHRA/NHRA racing over the last few years with the DPs and CJs.
P.S. Don't forget a racing seat upgrade as well!

Wade Mahaffey

Re: IHRA roll cage spec for crate motor cars
 

Wade ,my only answer would be for you to e-mail Mike and get an answer. I have no problem with it and do agree with you , but i am not quite as far in the "inner circle" to make that call. Just mis-understood your question i guess , as i reffered to the rule book as i always do. Boy you guys sure know how to hurt a fellow that was just trying to help....lol

Re: IHRA roll cage spec for crate motor cars
 

Danny, no disrespect what so ever, just trying to make sure I got my point accross. I was hoping that you would respond to this. I thought this would get in Hank's and Mike's ear easier comming from you. I will pass this along through e-mail. Also this is not just an IHRA crate motor issue, this is a NHRA, IHRA Stock Eliminator issue and is for the good of racing. I will follow your direction. Thanks

Wade Mahaffey

Re: IHRA roll cage spec for crate motor cars
 

i emailed Mike Baker a couple of weeks ago on this. My questions were concerning my 68 camaro crate motor car and a fwd conversion crate motor car. Mike said that bars through the firewall to the front of the car are legal, but aftermarket seats are not. The response time of tech questions to Mike are great. 2 days wait is irregular!

Ian

Re: IHRA roll cage spec for crate motor cars
 

Ian, yes that is the response I got as well from Mike Baker and Hank Blankenship. The foward roll gage support (thru the firewall) is excepted for CM stock. I put that bug in their ear about two years ago, when I was starting a Dodge Avenger project. I put that project over in the corner to finish my 60 Corvette. That my have been a good thing because now I can build it the way I wanted. I should be back on it by summer 2011, and it will be a very sweet car for someone.

P.S. Thanks IHRA's Mike and Hank for your understanding with reguard to safety!

Wade Mahaffey