Miata Mailing List: June 1998, Message #435

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Aaron,
	This post from Alessandro has absolutely changed my mind about a
rollbar requirement for the miata track days.  I( was kinda ambivalent
before, keeping in mind that I can choose for myself whether to
ride/instruct or drive a car without a rollbar.
	After the rollover incident at thunderhill this year, i've been a
little more worried at subsequent events about rollbarless cars, but
figured it was up to each individual driver.  Before someone brings up the
FACT that onj-one was injured in the t-hill rollover, i'll state that was
a very lucky outcome, pure and simple.  The odds are now on the otherside,
and to assume the next rollover will have as happy an outcome is not only
naieve, but stupid.
	If even one person shows up at an event with the mindset and
attitude expressed in allesandros post, I wouldn't want to be on the track
with them nor have others (who reley on the judgement of the organizing
authority and instructors) on the track with them either.  Legally the
waiver of liability might make it ok, but I would feel horrible if someone
were to be injured from a preventable incident.

Consider:
1.  only a small number of cars do show up without a rollbar.
2.  more people want to attend these events than can be accomodated (more
demand for spaces than supply)
3.  If you did have a rollbar requirement you'd still fill the event and
we wouldn't have a rollbar issue
4.  (most compelling) you may induce some people to put in a rollbar that
didn't previously have one.

I was resistant to putting in a rollbar for cosmetic reasons.  Many of my
good friends INSISTED I put it in.  I'm sorry I didn't do it sooner.

I've never been close to rolling over.  It scares me to see miata's on the
track without rollbars.

make the rollbar a requirement and it will give us all piece of mind.

/^\dans & AAHHRRR
Embrace Hypocricy - It's all we really have!.



On Wed, 3 Jun 1998, Alessandro Di Sciascio wrote:

> LeanAngle1@aol.com wrote:
> > 
> [snip]
> > Please send detailed comments, and reasoning, how it would affect your
> > attendence etc....to me...This information will help me understand certain
> > issues better and help me improve my track events.
> 
> I personally WOULD NOT attend an event if it required me to install a
> Rollbar.  If I were afraid of flipping over I certainly wouldn't have
> bought a Miata in the first place.
> 
> Of course I also wouldn't use a Miata without a rollbar in a situation
> where the chances of flipping over were high.
> 
> I doubt that a track is inherently more dangerous than the open road
> unless timing and competition ensue in which case it might be difficult
> for some people to keep the testosterone level down.  As soon as one or
> two blow their testosterone valves that may prompt others to do so as
> well... and that's when I think things might get messy.
> 
> In essence, if it's for LEARNING and FUN then I think a R.B. shouldn't
> be required, if it's for SPEED then one might very well be necessary.
> 
> In the end I would hope you decide to use your better judgement and only
> marginally rely on feedback;  from what I've heard you've organized
> sensational events, I'm sure your experience and knowledge vastly
> outclasses my unwillingness to spend $700 or whatever it costs to
> install (and chrome, that would be a must) a rollbar.
> 
> If you feel that it is impossible to prevent rollbar-less drivers from
> going on testosterone highs, then maybe it's better that the rollbarless
> of us stick to AutoX (which is loads of fun anyway) and leave the real
> thing for those who are willing to make a bit more of a committment.
> 
> HTH, have a great day!
> 
> -- 
> Alessandro & the Strategic Toy Deployment Unit formerly known as
> SnowWhite (White'99L)
> Hollywood, Florida
> 
> Three Words: No Freakin' Zipper!
> 
> Team I wish Miatae were made by Honda.
> 
>