I would rather not destroy my cinnamon interior in my M3 vert. but it is looking like that.

Are there any events i can participate in with out a roll bar while i am waiting to get one installed? I just want instructional events.

I really dont want to get a full cage put in the car. i was thinking a four point bar with anchor points behind the driver. Then installing race seats and I will have anchor points for a five pint.

HOW MUCH WILL THIS AFFECT ME? NOT HAVING A FULL CAGE? What events will i miss out on? I really dont want a full cage and am upset if this will affect me in a huge way

I need help finding someone who has access to pre fabbed roll bars (four point) and can install the bar CORRECTLY and NOT DESTROY completely my interior. I realize that it does not look real good for my rear leather. Oh, well. If it is done nicely, i wont worry about it so much.

I need some one REALLY good.

Hi David,
There's an open discussion about roll cages with good info here: www.trackweekend.com/messages/boards/thread/6888629

As far as which clubs you can run with w/o a roll cage, there is one that comes to mind ...
Chin Motorsports www.chinmotorsports.com allows convertibles without roll cages. If you check the polls on our site you'll see that many people love running with Chin since they give you a TON of track time and are also easy going, yet safe. I wrote an FAQ on this Here

I know for a fact that NASA, PBOC and PCA require a roll cage.

But, before you modify your car at all, I'd highly suggest you participate in a handful of events to make sure the sport is a good fit for you (and it sounds like it is). Some people become addicted to this sport (like me), others do it once and that's it. So, try it a couple of times with Chin Motorsports - they're one of the best clubs, I usually attend their events.

Be safe out there!
Carlos

Ah, this is a big stress issue that is shelved for now. I did have a very close look at Chin's site last night. I saw nothing saying anything ABOUT roll cages/bars either way.

They are a perfect match for me now while i decide how far i am willing to take my vert interior. I may decide only to track with Chin. We shall see.

Thanks Carlos. now I can concentrate on other things. Will Chin be st the track on Sat? I will most likely join and possibly get a tech.

With a vert. most clubs in FL will require a roll bar. A cage is NOT required. Contact Kirk Racing.com. They make a very nice bolt-in roll bar. The vert's rear seat is a bit different and I believe it also has OE "pop up" roll bar hoops.

Buy it unpainted and get it powder coated locally.

Foreign Affairs installed my safety equipment and I suggest you use a shop who is familiar in this type of work and will not cut corners.

-Allan
AAK Motorsports.com

ArmorTech does awesome powder coating work - www.armortechpowdercoating.com

Tell them I sent you for a better deal

Now, a roll BAR is foreseeable. i have a guy who does cages in Davie standing by to do an install on either a ready made (preferable) or a custom. Rennie from Redline recommended him. I am, however looking at all options.
I am hoping to actually see a M3 vert with a bar installed. I do not want to rush in to this unnecessarily.

I think it is good advice to track with Chin a while to see what kind of fit my car and myself and tracking have. If i want to take it to the next level and get race seats (I hate the stock seat support!) and a five point, well then I will investigate all of you guys contacts.

If worse comes to worse, Broward Tops can do some pretty good leather work around any roll bar installed in my vert. meaning it will not look like a hack job.

The idea of having a roll bar is NOT a bad idea just for everyday safety, even tho E46 verts do have pop up roll bars in the rear passenger head rests.

A full cage is just out of the question. A four point roll bar might be just fine.

Thanks guys for your responses. I was pretty surprised to get any so fast. See you all this Sat. Look for the red vert.
And please...no comments "your car is too nice to track'... no such thing. Its just a car, if it breaks or gets damaged, it can be fixed. I put too much into what you DONT see NOT to track it. My drive tonight on I75 just reinforced even more my desire to really wring this car out on the track. All the mods i have done over the past year have just gelled so cohesively. The car is screaming for track time.

To be honest, i thought my stock vert was a bit club footed. The suspension certainly was harsh and not all that compliant. Maybe it is a vert thing. It squirmed around a lot too. I methodically plodded through this last year correcting what i thought were shortcomings. The end result is nothing short of miraculous. It is transformed into a scalpel now. I need help to wield it properly.
It will never be as good handling as a coupe, but i have a serious leg up on most verts is my guess.

I am still interested to see how my powerflex fcabs hold up. For the street they have been spectacular and reliable so far.

It didn't occur to me until I read your post that your M3 DOES have roll-over protection. I'm fairly sure that those pop-up bars satisfy most of the clubs' requirements for verts, including NASA and PBOC. From the NASA website: "Convertibles in HPDE must have factory installed roll-over protection". You may want to verify with them to be sure, but I think you're good.

One of our members, LeRoy, drives a vert Corvette. He started out driving with Chin only, but I think he's looking to add a roll bar. You may want to shoot him an email to see what kind of research he's done on the subject.

Chin won't be there this coming Saturday night. The night event at HMS is hosted by PCA (Porsche Club). Chin is a completely different club. Nonetheless, when you get to the track this Sat, we can ask some of the PCA and PBOC officials about the requirements for verts in their clubs. We'll get the scoop straight from the horse's mouth.

Pop-up bars are NOT acceptable. Fixed hoops like in the S2000 are OK.

Ask Gary to show you the pics of the Cherokee he did with all interior intact I think you will be amazed Gary does great work!

Who is Gary?
I talked with Foreign Affairs on Sat night at Homestead. I could see the dollar signs clicking away in his eyes even before we settled on a price or final idea. I saw their work. It is quite good. I usually dont shop around too uch, but I think i will be looking for a shop that meets my needs the closest.
I will be talking to Flatt6 too.

I am intersted in this "Gary". A little more info please...