Warning: here we go into one of my favorite SCCA rules stupidity rants: why doesn't the ITCS simply refer to the GCR SS rules when it comes to cage design? It doesn't, and there are conflicts.
ITCS 17.1.4.D.10.a (p 22) states all cars shall have a rollcage installed per GCR 18 requirements for Showroom Stock "except as provided for in these rules." 'These rules' go on to make exceptions for things like the rear window in the Del Sol, but most of it is redundant with GCR 18.
GCR 18.2 (p151) goes into the details of cage design for SS cars.
Note that nothing in 18.1 should apply to SS (and thus IT) because SS cages are 18.2, except 18.1.6.c as called out within 18.2. This, I believe, is an oversight; the SS cage rules should have been made a sub-section to 18.1 (or 18.1.6 and 18.1.7 should be parallel to 18.1), thus applying all rules in 18.1 to SS. This is merely a technicality and in reality we follow that.
18.1.6.C states "minimum tubing sized for all required roll cage elements" (emphasis on "required"). This is also mirrored in 18.2.3 (SS rules) for "required bracing". 18.4.2.A states "Any number of additional reinforcing bars are permitted within the structure of the cage" without calling out a specific tubing size; the implication being that, since they are not required, they should not have to meet minimum sizes.
So, we're home free, right? WRONG! Let's go back to the ITCS, specifically ITCS 17.1.4.D.10.a.5: "Any number of additional reinforcing bars are permitted within the structure of the cage, provided they meet the minimum tubing size per GCR 18.1.6.C."
The ITCS trumps the GCR, so all reinforcing bars in an IT car must meet the minimum tubing size. I don't know if this conflict to the SS rules is intentional or accidental, but unless the rules are changed I don't see how you can get away with it. You can try and pass them off as "gussets" or "handles" but I suspect that your arguments with Tech will be to deaf ears.
I encourage you to either make them the minimum size or make them out of something other than tubing (plate gussets, rod or plate handles).
Frankly, I wish we'd wholesale re-write the IT cage rules to get rid of conflicts and redundancies like this. These rules were written back in the days when SS cages had to be bolt-in and IT was allowed weld-in. I don't see it happening any time soon...
Greg
), I came across this design and wanted to see what others thought about it.
