Broomstick rule

[jfgw]

Hi Guys,

I am finally about to get my Caterham onto the track at the forthcoming Porsche Club days at Mid Ohio on July 2nd and 3rd, and can't wait.

 

Having jumped through the various hoops which included buying a new crash helmet, and some arm restraints (2 pairs!), i am wondering about the best approach for the 'broomstick rule' they mention in the regulations.

 

Apparently, when seated in the car with helmet on, they rest a broomstick on top of the rollbar and to the top of the screen and your helmet must not touch.

 

The thing is, currently the car has a carbon aero screen which would obviously not support the weight of the car should it roll, but even if i put the windscreen on (which i really don't want to), that screen wouldn't support the weight of the car either, but it might then pass the tech inspection...

 

Has anyone had any experience of these tests in a Caterham, and more specifically at Mid Ohio?

 

Any comments welcome. By the way, the car has an LHD FIA bar from Arch motors.

 

James

[slngsht]

even if it did pass this rule, I would not get on the track with it. As you point out, windshield in a seven has NO structural value - heck, I panic if a passenger grabs on to it when getting in and out.

[blami]

This event is being run by the Allegheny Region of the PCA. I have been a 25 year member of this region. I have instructed with them for around 20 years, the last 14 years in my Caterham Super Seven.

 

The good news is that they are familiar with Super 7's. My car has the tall FIA rollbar and full windscreen so the broomstick test was never an issue---I passed.

 

The Allegheny Region is very serious about safety and they may have some concerns about your car. Is your head/helmet at least below the rollbar when you are seated in the car?? If you can answer YES to that question then you have a chance of running with them. Has your rollbar been upgraded from the factory stock bar? IF you have a harness system, what kind of system do you have---a 4 point harness is not allowed--you must have 5 or 6 point harness with an anti-submarine strap (note: oem 3 point system is ok)

 

You might want to call the event chairperson, Rob Warden:

 

rwarden@gmail.com 724 312 7784

 

Get his opinion on your situation.

 

I would offer to walk you through TECH but I am not attending this event.

 

Good luck and if you get to run you will have a great time.

 

Bart Lami

 

 

[jfgw]

Thanks very much Bart, good to hear from you. I remember talking to you when I was trying to find someone to help fix my engine issues last year.

 

I have the tall FIA bar with diagonal bar (not petty strut) and my helmeted head is below that. I plan to put the full windscreen on so that I pass the broomstick rule, but my logic was more along the lines of the structural rigidty of the Caterham windscreen - ie it isnt going to do anything if the car rolls, so it would have the same effect on safety as just using the aero screen...I think i will just keep my mouth shut though and put the full screen on.

 

I am ok with the harnesses - purchased 6 point Willans including anti-submarine strap.

 

I have spoken to Rob and he has been very helpful, but in fairness, wasn't very familiar with the exact rules for the Caterham, so I was looking for a second opinion.

 

Thanks again and I hope it turns out ok.

 

James

[JBH]

I've run my car (aeroscreen and tall FIA bar) with several Porsche Clubs without anyone questioning the safety. For the reasons you point out, the broomstick rule is flawed and not necessarily a measure of safety. But as blami pointed out, the 5 or 6 point harness will hold you in place and a sufficiently tall rollbar to protect you if you ever did flip. These really are requisite safety elements for your protection.

 

Put on your helmet, measure the distance between the top of the rollbar and your head then give the Track Chairman a call and tell him/her the results. They will let you know. During tech if they do a broomstick test. scrunch down and lean your head back. At all the events I have attended, I have never seen this, but perhaps this region does..

 

Mid-Ohio is a great track for the Seven. I was there last month with Chin Motorsports and had a blast. Have fun!

 

This will give you an idea of my head position relative to the roll bar - I am 6'3". The advantage here is the bar is slanted forward - I think I pass the broomstick test.

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1468016130_Broomstick Test.jpg

 

Yes...Chin does not require long sleeve shirts. Long sleeve shirt requirement was one of those safety things I never understood, but that's the subject of another thread.

[blami]

Hi James,

 

I should have read your first post more carefully since you did state that you have the FIA bar.

 

Your last post leads me to believe that you will have no issues passing Tech.

 

The tall FIA bar and full windscreen will insure that you pass the broomstick test.

 

One possible issue, but one that can be worked around: if you have a tall instructor, his head may be above the FIA bar, even the tall FIA bar---it depends on the style of seats that you have installed.

 

If you have a tall instructor who is "uncomfortable" (and I can understand such a reaction), simply ask for another, shorter, instructor.

 

Most of the instructors will have seen my Caterham on track. It has always been fast and reliable and I've even kept it on the track surface most of the time Most will enjoy the opportunity to instruct with you.

 

If you speak to any Allegheny Region tech people prior to attending the event and they have any questions about your car you could ask them to call me for clarification.

 

My home number is 412 341 9565, cell is 412 389 7236

 

Bart Lami

[Boxologist]

...

 

The thing is, currently the car has a carbon aero screen ...

Any comments welcome. By the way, the car has an LHD FIA bar from Arch motors.

 

James

 

it's set up the same as yours. the actual broom stick front point is the front top frame member under the nose cone, not that anyone should expect PCA to be aware of that(another arguement altogether). as long as ur head is below the top crossbar u should be passed in that reguard, but u do fall under that organization liability insurance so it's their call all together.

[jfgw]

Thanks very much everyone....I think I will put the full screen on and take my aero and talk to them...

 

One thing I did notice is that being shorter, my seat is forward (even though its a Tillett) and my head would obstruct with the aero, so I will be putting my seat further back too

 

Hope to have some pictures to post afterwards

 

James

[Al N.]

.

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1468016130_Broomstick Test.jpg

 

Damn JBH, look at those guns on you!

 

BTW, you going to powdercoat that exhaust guard?

 

---

 

On another note, one thing I love about this forum is the willingness of people to help one another — I mean, Bart giving out his home number!

[WestTexasS2K]

It would seem to me using the wind screen as a refrence point is silly. If you turned the car upside down the front of the frame would contact the ground way before the windscreen. I bet the wind screen would be 12 or 14" off the ground.

 

I think the broom stick for seven with a long nose should go from roll bar to the front frame area.

[Al N.]

Loren, I sent you an email the other day to your organic address...-Al

[sporqster]

I had to add a 'helper' hoop to pass... I'd like to put in a taller FIA style bar in the near future, but this got me past the tech inspector for the CERPCA track day.

 

http://www.cerpca.net/DEPICS/Picture013.jpg

[slngsht]

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1468016130_Broomstick Test.jpg

 

 

 

JBH is flexing those arm muscles for the picture

[jfgw]

update.....

 

I tried some tape from the bar above my head to the front lip of the engine as it was the highest point under the bonnet ( ) and with the aero screen in place, the tape passed about 3 inches over the top of the aero screen and my helmeted head was about an inch under the tape while sat in normal position.

 

I removed the aero screen and installed the normal windscreen and the tape needed to be adjusted to flow from the rollbar across the top of the screen and then down to the same point on the front of the engine.

 

With full screen in place, my helmeted head is now about 2-3 inches below the tape.

 

I think to be safe I will go to tech like this and once passed ;0 I will then talk to them about re-fitting the aero screen.

 

Thanks again for all the comments.

 

James

[tnttim]

There is a good 'General' guideline to follow on this.

 

Download yourself a copy of the SCCA's GCR Rule (General Competition Rules) section 9.4.5.

Here is the figure they used for 2007

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/366228200_RollBarDim.bmp

 

 

I went through this when coming up for a design on my roll bar also. Then you can compare against the Solo rules and find a few 'loop holes'. Such as in Solo my min. thickness of tube was supposed to be .120 but listed for the same weight and car in the 2007 GCR book was .095. You would think that the Solo racing would be the safer of the two but I guess not. Not really an issue since I am using Chromoly anyway. $$$$$.

 

I did see a picture of a car floating around here that had an external hoop system that bolted to plates mounted on the bottom edge of the cars frame. So if you need to have a hoop over the front of the steering wheel,,,, then for a removable one I would go that route. Just make sure the mounting meets the rule book specs.

 

Tim

[JBH]

JBH is flexing those arm muscles for the picture

 

I must have a death grip on the wheel - so much for being in a relaxed driving position.

 

I don't understand the SCCA graphic - what do the two 6" Max dimensions represent?

[slngsht]

 

I must have a death grip on the wheel - so much for being in a relaxed driving position.

 

I don't understand the SCCA graphic - what do the two 6" Max dimensions represent?

 

They mean your cross braces that support the hoop have to be within 6" of the top of the hoop, to minimize loading on the hoop that would fold it over.