8.50 cage, drivers door bar question

Jeff Stout · 09-07-2020, 03:21 PM

Monte Carlo with typical 8.50 cage and diagonal door bar. My problem is I'm struggling getting in and out of car. Can I use a door bar that starts shoulder high per nhra then turn and dip down to connect at base of front bar or that bar required to be straight only, or just use a swing out bar. I would prefer the dip down style but not sure if that passes 8.50 cert. I'm just getting to fat and dont bend and twist like I use to. Sucks getting old.

Chevy55 · 09-07-2020, 03:51 PM

Rule book page 21, sec 29, swing out side bar permitted if you want t go that route.

Tom Goldman · 09-07-2020, 05:01 PM

There is no requirement for the bar to be straight , just that it is technically is supposed to pass midway between the shoulder and elbow.
A lot of the cars I build are for older racers who need the swing out feature .
There are a lot of different kits out there to do it , I prefer to use the clevis style that Applied Racing Technology sells, no slop in them .
Simple to use and you can "clock" them to allow for any swing angle .
If you only have a roll bar ,I'd recommend a gusset or brace to the rocker sill of some sort on the floor end to prevent the bar from flexing up and down when opened .
I use these clevis' and install limit stops on them , they open and close as good as a door.

https://www.appliedracing.com/roll-b...-bar-kits.html
https://www.appliedracing.com/roll-b...vis-mount.html

bykr · 09-08-2020, 01:14 AM

Sometimes just a removable steering wheel can make it much easier to get in and out.

09-07-2020, 03:21 PM	#1
Jeff Stout VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: phoenix Posts: 1,407 Likes: 53 Liked 654 Times in 254 Posts	8.50 cage, drivers door bar question Monte Carlo with typical 8.50 cage and diagonal door bar. My problem is I'm struggling getting in and out of car. Can I use a door bar that starts shoulder high per nhra then turn and dip down to connect at base of front bar or that bar required to be straight only, or just use a swing out bar. I would prefer the dip down style but not sure if that passes 8.50 cert. I'm just getting to fat and dont bend and twist like I use to. Sucks getting old. Last edited by Jeff Stout; 09-07-2020 at 03:23 PM. Reason: More

09-07-2020, 03:51 PM	#2
Chevy55 Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 304 Likes: 606 Liked 167 Times in 83 Posts	Re: 8.50 cage, drivers door bar question Rule book page 21, sec 29, swing out side bar permitted if you want t go that route.

09-07-2020, 05:01 PM	#3
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,435 Likes: 774 Liked 699 Times in 203 Posts	Re: 8.50 cage, drivers door bar question There is no requirement for the bar to be straight , just that it is technically is supposed to pass midway between the shoulder and elbow. A lot of the cars I build are for older racers who need the swing out feature . There are a lot of different kits out there to do it , I prefer to use the clevis style that Applied Racing Technology sells, no slop in them . Simple to use and you can "clock" them to allow for any swing angle . If you only have a roll bar ,I'd recommend a gusset or brace to the rocker sill of some sort on the floor end to prevent the bar from flexing up and down when opened . I use these clevis' and install limit stops on them , they open and close as good as a door. https://www.appliedracing.com/roll-b...-bar-kits.html https://www.appliedracing.com/roll-b...vis-mount.html __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

09-08-2020, 01:14 AM	#4
bykr Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: SoCal Posts: 232 Likes: 274 Liked 167 Times in 81 Posts	Re: 8.50 cage, drivers door bar question Sometimes just a removable steering wheel can make it much easier to get in and out. __________________ Tim Schmackpfeffer 762 SS