SFI Addresses Roll Cage Concerns - December, 2000
Recently SFI has received numerous inquires from concerned racers and car builders regarding the possibility of new SFI roll cage specifications for full-bodied cars. SFI would like to address this issue to ensure that all interested parties clearly understand this situation.
First, it helps to understand what SFI does and how we help develop specifications for the automotive racing industry. To review how a new spec is initiated and how the committee process works, go to About SFI and Specs Program.
Currently, several specs are undergoing development by the SFI Committee on Full-Bodied Roll Cages. The committee is comprised of expert chassis builders as well as representatives from sanctioning bodies like NHRA, IHRA, NSCA, etc. There is a single spec for door cars that is currently available for use. It is the 25.1D for Full-Bodied Car Roll Cages, 7.49 Seconds E.T. and Quicker (note that there is currently NO weight minimum or maximum). The spec had previously been known as 25.1C. Recently, it has been revised to the next version, which is 25.1D. The major difference between the two is that the 25.1D version allows a 3-piece cross member/foot brace that may also be offset as long as there are gussets installed.
Both the IHRA and NHRA have adopted the 25.1D spec. However, the NHRA refers to 25.1C in their 2001 Rulebook, while the IHRA specifies 25.1D. To promote consistency among drag racing rules, the NHRA has decided to allow 25.1D as well as 25.1C.
The 25.1D Spec is currently available for purchase from SFI for US$35.00. To obtain information about how to order the spec, go to Drag Racing Chassis Specs.
There will eventually be additional specifications for full-bodied cars. Initially, the 25.1 spec was developed for Pro Stock-type cars. Over time, this spec has gradually been applied to other applications such as Pro Mod cars or muscle cars, both of which are heavier than Pro Stock cars.
The SFI committee has recognized that these cars are all going fast, but there are significant differences between them in weight. There is now a need for increased specs for these heavier cars. The sanctioning bodies are recommending set weight limits to apply to their classes and the committee will develop the new specs accordingly.
Arnie Kuhns, President of SFI, stresses "The committee is trying to develop safe specs for the increases in speed and weight, but in the process they don't want to make cars obsolete. It's a difficult balance."
At this time, since the new categories of specs are still in the development process, we cannot yet announce what they will be, or what the weight limits will be. We understand that racers and builders would like to know this information as far in advance as possible. However, the contents of these specs change rapidly from meeting to meeting and it could do more harm than help if any information is provided prematurely.
What we do know is that once any new spec is finalized and required by the sanctioning bodies' rules, the sanctioning bodies will allow plenty of time for adjusting cars to the new specs. Also, the committee members understand the viewpoint of the builder (being builders themselves), so when tubes are being increased in size from one spec to the other, they are making sure that the changes are made to bars that can be worked on or changed relatively easily. Of course, integrity of the roll cage will not be sacrificed for convenience.SFI understands that this is a period of change with the ever-increasing speed of cars, which has resulted from rapidly advancing technology. We appreciate the patience on everyone's part, especially the sanctioning body officials, racers, and chassis builders, as we strive to make this system work. Our goal at SFI is to assist the committee in providing specifications for roll cages that will be safe and appropriate in the cars for which they are intended.