Miata Mailing List: April 1998, Message #177

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Once upon a time Larry Alster wrote
> 
> 
> > Not requiring rollbars in the 'green' class is the right approach
> > IMHO.
> 
> Sorry I disagree.  A green class driver is just as likely to have an
> on track incident as anyone.  Maybe even more likely.
> 
> The "Commitment" to a rollbar and bla bla bla about it aside there
> is an old saying.  You want to play you have to pay.  You want to
> drive your car fast on a racetrack I see no reason why a "rookie"
> driver should be excempt from needing a rollbar.

I can't disagree too much, but I still think the best approach is to
provide a "green" group with no rollbar requirement.  As evidenced by
the attendance and waiting lists for the recent events, there is
massive interest from Miata drivers to experience the track and get
some instruction in controlled conditions.  It is not reasonable to
exclude the vast majority of Miata owners from ever experiencing this
at any level!  A rollbar-less Miata is not ideally safe, but nothing
is. I certainly believe it is better to gain the first experience at
performance driving on a track, with no distractions and some expert
advice, than with no help at all on some public mountain road. Any
track experience makes for a safer driver, so we all win.


> I got my SCCA Solo I novice permit last year.  No on said "oh your
> just starting you don't need the rollbar or the helmet or the wrist
> restraints or the firesuit"

Solo I is vastly different.. that's a competitive timed event, real
racing, even if not wheel to wheel.  I think that my view of the
"green" group is closer to what you describe as "touring laps".  None
of these driving school groups should be competitive nor timed,
whether green, red, or in between. Many restrictions may be
appropriate on the "green" group, whether chicanes with cones, speed
limits on some sections, street tires, and so forth, all depending on
the particular track.



-- 
Jyri J. Virkki - Santa Cruz, CA - Linux: The Choice of a GNU Generation