GCR 9.4.D. Side Protection, in part (GCR 116 in Sept 2013 PDF):
Door side tubes may extend into the front door. In Improved Touring, Spec Miata, and Touring the door window glass, window operating mechanism, inner door trim panel, armrest, map pockets, wiring harnesses for door locks, windows, power mirrors, seat wiring, etc., and inside door latch/lock operating mechanism may be removed and the inner door structural panel may be modified, but not removed only if the door bars extend into the door cavity.
GCR Appendix F, Technical Glossary, in part (p169):
NASCAR-Style Door Bars – If installed, shall consist of one or more sidebars that intrude into the door cavity and connect the main hoop to the front hoop.
Define "extend into the door cavity". Define "intrude". Hell, define "door cavity".
I can assure you that if someone were to protest your car for removing door internal mechanisms, when your definition of 'extending into the door cavity' is that it touches the metal plate you used to replace the door card, that I would, as a National Scrutineer and Steward, find you non-compliant to the regs. But that's just my opinion.
But also keep in mind that in the end, you're having to fab up a rollcage, and you're already wanting to gut the doors to remove all that crap, and a rollcage with tubes extended away from the driver are far, far safer than one close to the driver, I simply cannot imagine why you would not do it correctly instead of trying to skirt the regs. And if you do try to skirt the regs and you're found non-compliant, not only would you have to deal with that whole appeal process (and likely be found non-compliant anyway, since you're not providing any new information on the appeal) you're going to have to re-do your whole design (and/or re-install all the door components).
And/or, if you already have a rollcage built and it does not incorporate protruding tubes, it's a very simple matter of fabbing up a single tube protruding into the door cavity right at hip height to satify the reg's requirements for gutting the doors.
- GA
On edit: I understand what Jimbo is trying to say here, but I suggest a wink-wink-nudge-nudge-here's-how-you-get-around-it is doing our membership a disservice, especially when it comes to safety items...items about which we have zero sense of humor and/or flexibility...