Miata Mailing List: June 1998, Message #480

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In a message dated 98-06-03 17:05:29 EDT, shivp@worldnet.att.net writes:

<< That waiver you have to sign is not for frills.  Read it.  This is NOT 
 about skill and not about track experience.  Accidents happen to the best of
us 
 and it's just plain good, life-preserving sense to be prepared.  No.  Don't
run 
 out and buy a Hummer or a Volvo.  Just do what is *reasonable* for the safety
of 
 you AND your driver.  I completely understand when experienced track
instructors 
 refuse to ride in rollbar-less Miatas.  They have seen the darkside of what
can 
 happen to even the most skilled drivers.  They are not stupid.
  >>

Well put.  It should be pretty easy to identify the experienced drivers by
their responses to this post.  Sadly, it is because they seen first hand why
you need a roll bar. 

The club I race w/ tries to accomedate both sides:

At a school or test day, drivers are grouped by ability (read lap times), and
then a special group is formed for all convertables without roll bars.  This
group has serious speed restrictions.  Corner workers watch them VERY
carefully.  Anyone "pushing it" is black flagger right away.
BTW, no convertable may RACE/COMPETE w/o a full-bore competion roll bar.

Hope this helps!
Aaron N.