Why are people so unkind ... Tin Tops Triumph

Postby **Okibi** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:43 pm

I just received my latest \"Targa West\" newsletter.

Closed Cars and Reduced Speeds
In the interest of improving the safety of Quit Targa West
we have made the decision to only accept entries for
Closed Cars with a minimum of a Type 3 Safety Cage.
We fully realise that owners of open sports cars will be
disappointed by the decision. However, we have to accept
that accidents do happen in rallying and when they do we
have to ensure the crew has the safest possible conditions
to protect themselves. We will also be encouraging
competitors to go further than a Type 3 Cage and to add
additional cross braces and side intrusion bars. There are
a number of companies who can provide high standard cages and we would be more than willing to pass on their
details to competitors.....

Curly · Postby **Curly** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:10 am

Yeah - I got that this morning, but didn't put two and two together. A mate of mine has got sponsorship to run TW next year - in a Westfield.

He's going to be furious.

Does this apply to challenge class as well?

Matty · Postby **Matty** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:23 pm

because a hardtop was much safer to crash in last year... :roll:

Postby **Boyracer** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:57 pm

Reckon it's because a guy died in this years Mt. Buller sprint in an Elfin Clubman...

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:20 am

It's spreading ...

Rally Tasmania: Speed vs Safety policy sees 190 Km/hr speed limit imposed
Rally Tasmania organisers have moved to toughen safety standards ahead of the 28th running of Rally Tasmania.

Organisers will only be accepting entries from closed cars with a minimum type 3 safety cage. The event will also be imposing a maximum 190 Km/hr speed limit. ARCOM has also mandated that as from January 1, 2008 tarmac competitors will be required to use a five or six piece safety harness.

The introduction of these measures is a result from a review of the event safety and to adopt positive risk mitigation strategies to ensure the viability of tarmac rallying.

Rally Tasmania is held in February 2008; see http://www.rallytasmania.com.au/ for more information.

Cal · Postby **Cal** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:14 am

Rally Tas usually set the standard for these things. I reckon you'd get away with an MX5 with a hardtop permanently mounted. I guess time will tell. I have a mate with an SE he runs at Targa Tas, I'll ask him what he knows.

Cal.

Postby **Boyracer** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:46 am

So far all is OK for Targa Tassie...still allowing open cars and no speed restrictions...

Cal · Postby **Cal** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:48 am

For now

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 4:06 pm

This could be good for MX5s if they can get through with the hardtop. It means all those people out there in Clubmans and other open-top cars will be excluded. Thus more people may look for a 5 to drive...

mr_rotary · Postby **mr_rotary** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:43 am

So whatever happened to the gold old days of 'entering at your own risk'. At the Nurburgring in Germany, you could have a car load of people, didn't have to wear long pants or shirt and not even wear a helmet. Oh, there was also motorbikes on the track along with cars and there was one bike going around with a side cart!

So if you put on the hard top, does this get you around the rules?
Insurance companies clasify your vehicle as a 'hardtop' version once it's on.

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:30 am

bruce wrote:This could be good for MX5s if they can get through with the hardtop. It means all those people out there in Clubmans and other open-top cars will be excluded. Thus more people may look for a 5 to drive...

How crash-worthy are hardtops though?
The mounting points, especially the top-front part, are pretty flimsy, so I'm guessing more roll-cage points will have to be installed.

Anyone seen any photos of a rollover with hard-top fitted?

I think it's prettier with the hardtop on though.

Cal · Postby **Cal** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:03 am

mr_rotary wrote:So whatever happened to the gold old days of 'entering at your own risk'. At the Nurburgring in Germany, you could have a car load of people, didn't have to wear long pants or shirt and not even wear a helmet. Oh, there was also motorbikes on the track along with cars and there was one bike going around with a side cart!

And more than 50 people die every year on the Nordschleife.

Cal.