With warm weather coming in the northeast, I'm about ready to start my first season of tracking with my CR. My question is, how many people track their S2K without a rollbar? If so and you live in the tri-state area, what organization do you run with? I'm wondering how many HPDE organizations prohibit non-rollbar cars from running. I plan on running with PDA, if anyone has heard of it, at Thunderbolt NJ, Limerock Ct, and Monticello NY. Although I've got the OEM rollhoops and the hardtop (which I know probably won't do much in a rollover, God forbid), I'm slightly concerned about rollover safety. How sturdy are the rollhoops in event of a rollover? I'm not thrilled about the idea of adding a full cage (for not recouping that money in resale mostly). The only people I have seen roll there cars at HPDEs were driving wrecklessly, but you just never know... Thanks!

 

the s2000 holds up really good from pics i have seen of the vehicle in roll overs. if you check the "wrecked exotic" thread stickied above you can see a few

 

Sometimes it is the tracks that wont allow you to run. The hoops are very strong and the windscreen frame is reinforced and does hold up well in a rollover. The problem that most tracks and orginizations have is that your head is above the rollhoop or the "broom stick test". Whick basically means they take a pole or stick and run it from the top of the windsceen to the rollhoop. I think your head with a helmet on needs to be at least an 1" or 2" below that and in the S it isn't.

I dont track my car but alot of the members down here do autoX and are thinking about it and are having a tuff time. Most of the tracks here don't allow the S even if the org. does.

Kevin

 

depends on the insurance of the track and who's running the event. I run with Miatas at pocono (check thread in Metro NY) or ask this question there.

Where are you from?

 

it depends on the track and event--for example NASA HPDE events at Mid-Ohio "allow" the S2000 factory roll bar as all you need (in fact, stock S2000s are Mid-Ohio's "top tier" HPDE training car)

http://www.nasaproracing.com/hpde/rollover.html

I've ran there with no problems with just the factory roll bar--I think mlc's comments are right on-- the roll bar height is a key factor in the track's decision on whether to let us run---our factory bars are not very high
Best bet is to call ahead

 

Generally at NJMP, you can get away with a broomstick test. You really want to talk to the organizers directly, I wouldn't chance anything to showing up at the track and finding out that I couldn't run.

As for groups to drive with, I highly recommend SCDA. I believe PDA goes with five or six 20 minute sessions, whereas SCDA runs (at NJMP) four 30 minute sessions. I'll be tracking with them at NJMP this summer, first one is Lightning on May 4th...I'd love to see another s2ki member there

BTW - SCDA's rules are broomstick test on factory hoops or an OEM hardtop. Obviously the CR passes this easily.

 

Spend some time reading through the Competition & Track forum on this site. You will find a lot of information about this. I've done a lot of reading about this and the general consensus is that it is quite risky relying on the stock roll bars in the event of a roll-over. Harddog makes a SCCA approved rollbar that can be installed. You should then get a 5 or 6 point harness and seats that allow them. At a minimum, that's what I would do if I were planning on using the car on the track on a fairly regular basis. A hardtop is another good addition in that it may keep your body parts from flying out of the car in the event of a rollover but will not do much aside from that in terms of safety. I was strongly considering making the S the track car but decided against it - partly due to safety concerns, and partly because I have an E36 M3 which is already a great track toy. It also seems to me that clubs are becoming more strict about allowing convertibles - some will not allow them at all. I'm sure you can find some that will though.

 

I'll be there! Already signed up and looking forward to the beginning of the season. Glad to hear there will be at least one other S there. SCDA is a great group to run with.

 

Nice!

 

I've seen my share of flipped cars on tracks. Let's just say there is a good reason why many tracks or clubs require a cage. Its your head afterall.