Local DE's, Miata rollbars, and the broomstick

[eliandi]

I just got a 01 SE and plan on getting a rollbar in the future. I am 5'8", as is my wife, and our heads go right to the top of the OE surfboard seats. This is mostly a fun car, but I may take it to DE sometime. Therefore the primary purpose of the bar is safety in daily (unhelmeted) driving. I've done alot of reading, and understand the Hard Dog sports are farther back and lower than the hard core versions. This appeals to me as banging my un-helmeted head on even a padded bar sounds like a bad risk for "normal" driving accidents. I also understand passing the broomstick test with a Sport bar is unlikely.

So my question is: Of the local DE groups (PCA, BMWCCA, APEX, Edge, etc), which require the broomstick test and which are ok with a good rollbar that does not pass broomstick.

[Nails]

BMWCCA is the only one I know of that is strict about the stick.

[strathound]

Can someone briefly describe (or link to) the details of the broomstick test?

[sammm]

Broom stick (or any straight edge) is layed across top of windshield back to top of roll bar. Your helmeted head should be lower than said stick.

[ken o]

BMWCCA does not allow convertibles. Most other groups don't require rollbars. Some restrict tires for verts w/o bars.

On the test some measure form the top of the rollbar across to the top of the windshield. Some require 2" under this. Some measure form the top of the rollbar to the front edge of the fender. Basically if the windshield collapsed.

Also read this http://www.dfwmiata.com/threads/2131...t=drivers+edge

[strathound]

Am I allowed to "scrunch" down in the seat to get the two inches? :)

[OZMDD]

Remember that the helmet adds at least a couple inches to your seated height. Also, scrunching down to pass might work, but do you really want to be upside down in a car that you are an inch or two too tall for? That's like using a broken Trojan so long as the hooker doesn't notice.

BMWCCA rules are based on a collapsed windshield, so they would require a crazy-tall roll bar to pass. For DD and the occasional DE or open track day, any quality roll bar ought to be sufficient.

[ken o]

Good example of what DEs look for http://www.thedriversedge.net/droptop.htm

[EricJ]

understand the Hard Dog sports are farther back and lower than the hard core versions.

There are two versions of the Hard Core, the regular and the hardtop. The hardtop is in the same position as the sport, a little further back and a little lower.
I put in the Hard Dog Hard Core Hardtop Double Diagonal with the SFI padding. With the stock seats on the street, I always jammed the seat as far forward as possible to avoid head injury in case of getting rear ended.

I got Goodwin seats. They sit lower and the seat back is higher relative to the seat bottom. So now my head is completely isolated from the bar by the seat back. Without the cushion, my head helmeted head is below the bar, maybe not enough for BMWCCA, but enough for other groups. The seats are comfortable enough to drive to TWS and hopefully MSR-H. The seats are pricey, but they come with rails and brackets; and a bracket to put the stock DOT seatbelt receiver on. Compared to a Sparco Evo w/ rails and brackets, its about the same $.

DEs:
Eagles Canyon, Texas World Speedway Performance Driving School, Motorsport Ranch Cresson - Apex & Drivers Edge, NASA HPDE

[EricJ]

For DD and the occasional DE or open track day, any quality roll bar ought to be sufficient.

NASA HPDE rules mention the Hard Core as approved, but doesn't mention the sport.

http://www.nasaproracing.com/rules/ccr.pdf
p. 43 section 11.4.7

"Acceptable roll bars include, but not limited to, thefollowing:
Hard Dog
AC - Ace
D - Deuce (center-braced model only)
AB - M1 Hard Core
TB – M1 Hard Core Hardtop
9B – M2 Hard Core
NB – M2 Hard Core
Auto Power
Street Roll Bar
Street-Sport Roll Bar
Race Roll Bar

[strathound]

Good example of what DEs look for http://www.thedriversedge.net/droptop.htm

List of topless cars known to have factory rollover protection that are approved to run.
...
Mazda Miata *2007‐present
...

[eliandi]

Thanks for all the info guys. According to Ken_o's link I need to be 1" below the bar. Anyone opinions on HD Deuce center braced vs the regular Hard Dogs?

There are two versions of the Hard Core, the regular and the hardtop. The hardtop is in the same position as the sport, a little further back and a little lower.
I put in the Hard Dog Hard Core Hardtop Double Diagonal with the SFI padding. With the stock seats on the street, I always jammed the seat as far forward as possible to avoid head injury in case of getting rear ended.

I was looking at that exact option. Sounds like with the stock seats the bar was still right near your head, correct? Was your head level above the level of the back of the seat on your OEs? I ask because I really do not want to do aftermarket seats, though I might do a foam removal.

[ken o]

Remember that 1" is for The Driver's Edge DE events. Please check each group before you sign up, show up, and get your heart broken when they tell you the car cannot run.

[OZMDD]

If you have stock seats, a foamectomy can work wonders.