Anyone else interested in a track day at PIR? I've just signed up for the cascade sports car club driver training/hpde on august 14-15, the organizers said that a roll bar was highly recommended but the stock S2000 roll bars were technically ok. Hopefully they won't bail on that when the day actually comes

 

That sounds really awesome.

I've seen a variety of requirements, but yes usually the stock S2000 roll hoops are good enough. Some places require a hardtop (possibly in place of an aftermarket rollbar), which I find weird, but if that's the case I wouldn't be against leasing my top for a nominal fee. Though whoever uses it would have to provide their own Honda OEM mounting system and new ones are expensive.

What about helmets and such? Those are almost always required. Or racing harnesses?

Assuming funds are available, I am very interested.

 

I am sure that one of the track junkies will chime in soon and let you guys know what the requirements are but if I remember correctly if you are tall enough to where your helmet is higher then the top of the roll hoop when sitting in the car then the roll hoops will not work.

Just a heads up <-No pun intended

 

That sounds familiar. I think some people call it the "broom handle test". They lay a stick (broom handle?) across the top of the window frame and roll hoop. If your noggin bumps it then it's not good enough. Seems kind of a weak argument to me since a) the ground isn't as flat as a broom handle and b) there's no guarantee the window frame won't bend in an inch or two.

 

From what I understand, it really depends on who is planning the HPDE. The factory roll hoop is usually accepted, but many are starting to require roll cages. The factory hardtop is not an acceptable replacement for the roll cage because it really isn't mounted to the car securely.

Helmet is always required. Some organizations will have loaners. But many others don't. Motocorsa which had a HPDE PIR a few months back didn't have any loaner helmets. As I wanted to go then, but couldn't get one in time.

This is all from what I have learned from thinking about going to the last HPDE. I would be very interested on going out to PIR. But it depends on the cost and if they will have any loaner helmets.

Hopefully Pongydoo, Cbender, or cdelena can shed some light since they all have experience.

Huy

 

I agree that the hardtop adds little to no safety, but I've seen listings before where they actually required a hardtop on convertibles.

 

I didn't know that.

 

On a 1/4 mile dragstrip at PIR if you have a convertible car you require to wear a helmet but if your car has a hardtop you are not required to wear a helmet unless I think if your car have more than 300 hp. or so then you need a helmet.

 

Yeah, bizarre rules. They're doing their best to accommodate as many people as they can while minimizing risk to their public image.

Of course I'm sure if we had all just bought Corvette coupes it wouldn't be an issue

 

Removable hardtop is NOT a substitute for a proper 4-point roll bar so whoever makes that rule does not know much regarding safety. None of the clubs at Portland as far as I know do the broomstick test so it is up to you to make sure that you and your passenger have enough head clearance. For helmet, make sure you have either M or SA that is Snell 2000 or above rating (some will allow Snell 95). Unless you have a proper roll bar, do not use harnesses.

Here are the lists of local club and organizer that allow S2000 with stock hoops to run: Cascade Sport Car Club, Alfa Romeo Club, Porsche Club, BMW ACA, Motocorsa (Lotus of Portland), Lotus Club NW (convertibles with stock rollover protection will have to sign a separate release), Gran Prix Imports, Rose City Corvette Club, and Shelby Club NW. I think Audi Club NW and Team Continental require an approved 4-point roll bar for all convertibles.