Ok fellas, looks like we have a foot in the door here, so all you guys interested in getting this requirement waived, lets get to it and get some hard evidence that proves our B-pillars will do the job as a roll bar for us.
Jason
'91ZR1
05-451
Jason Mitchell <jaymitchell01@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hi Keith, good to hear back from you so soon...
The B-pillar is standard on all C4s and C5s with the exception of the convertibles and FRCs. I will get with Team ZR1, gather some information to prove this and get it to you ASAP. Not sure if I can get a hold of engineering documents, but I'm sure there are some statistics or safety tests/standards that explain how the B-pillar serves as a roll bar, and we'll get what we can on that.
We understand completely the ripple effect of changing the rules for one car, but I can assure you for the corvette the change is legitimate and reasonable, and will be supported by our proof that the B-pillar is attached to the frame. As for all the other cars, including corvette convertibles and FRCs, we understand that a roll bar is required, and don't expect you to waive the requirement for those cars.
Thanks for your time Keith, and I'll get back to you shortly.
V/R,
Jason
'91ZR1
05-451
Keith Turk <kturk@ala.net> wrote:
Jason is that standard on ALL Corvettes or just the ZR1? Does GM have any roll over testing to verify it? Can we get some engineering documents or some analysis to testify to it's integrity...
The deal is if we change our rules to make the Corvette legal then we're open to have to change the rules for all cars.... and frankly it's simply not safe to run a car without a roll bar... of course the real problem is the Convertibles.... we simply can't do that... Our insurance won't allow it.
By the way I own a Corvette.... and would love to see you guys there...
Keith
----- Original Message -----
From: Jason Mitchell
To: jtimney@ecta-lsr.com ; kturk@ecta-lsr.com ; jbeckett@ecta-lsr.com
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2005 1:25 AM
Subject: ECTA Tech - Corvettes
Keith and Joe,
Hello again... you both received emails from me not long ago regarding involvement in the ECTA events this upcoming year. You may have also received some emails from some other folks that are involved in Team ZR1, a nationwide Corvette Club. I am also a member of Team ZR1, as is Ed Van Scoy, which is how I got to know him.
An issue some of the other Team ZR1 members, and myself, are having is with the rule governing the roll bar requirement for vehicles exceeding 125mph. Team ZR1 is requesting that requirement be waived to a higher speed for the Corvettes. We talked about this issue among ourselves, and Ed Van Scoy recommended we bring it up with you now while your still making revisions to this year's rules (see below emails).
The B-pillar on the Corvette is in fact a roll bar in itself, and is welded to the frame of the car for safety in the event of a roll. If you would like, GM can verify this and we can show you that this is in fact true and is safer than any after market roll bar. I can also testify to its safety, as my ZR1 suffered a roll back in 1995 in which the car was badly damaged. The car has since been restored, with the B-pillar having never needed repairs. I can assure you, the Corvette's B-pillar's are extremely safe in the event of an accident.
Waiving this rule for the Corvettes is not only reasonable, it will likely bring many more Corvette owners to your events. Most corvette owners are not willing to hack into their cars to install a roll bar for just a few 1-mile races per year, especially if the B-pillar serves the same purpose. In addition, most of Team ZR1's corvettes won't exceed 175mph in that 1-mile, and any that do, we agree will be subject to a roll cage, fire system, and parachute requirements as prescribed by the rules. We believe that up to 175mph for your 1-mile race, the corvette should be able to run without a roll bar.
I sincerely hope you give our request favorable consideration. If you will entertain our request, and require any further information from me regarding this, please let me know. Thanks again for your time, and I look forward to hearing back from you.
Very Respectfully,
Jason Mitchell
Chesapeake, VA
Team ZR1 Member 05-451
Ed Van Scoy <edvs@yahoo.com> wrote:
To: Team-ZR1@yahoogroups.com
From: Ed Van Scoy
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2004 19:37:55 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: [Team ZR-1] ECTA Events - New Info
The person you would have to sell this idea to is Joe
Timney. He is a long-time Bonneville racer and also
does tech inspections on the salt. He is the new chief
tech for ECTA. If you are gonna try NOW is the time to
do it! ECTA is in the process of a complete make-over
(including the rules) so toss it in now while the
"powers" are in a negotiating mood.
Joe Timney - jtimney@ecta-lsr.com - (302) 378-3013
Ed
--- teamzr1 <teamzr1@teamzr1.com> wrote:
> I'd suggest someone meeting up with those who make
> rule changes and show them that the B pillar of the
> vette is welded to the frame and is better then a
> bolt in roll bar
>
! > I did that several years ago with Roger Ward for his
> ORRs and after spending time with me and my ZR-1 he
> changed the rules and let us tech to 165 MPH with a
> 5 point harness bar which installs with no mods to
> the car.
> As Roger saw many vette owners would not want to
> hack the inside of car up just to do a few ORRs a
> year.
>
> Team ZR-1
>
http://teamzr1.com/main.html