2" rule for helmet clearance

tju-vette · Post by **tju-vette** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:40 am

In following the 07 rulebook thread the subject of 2" of helmet clearance came up in regards to targa topped vehciles (I had posted in that thread as well before it was locked).

Is this a hard & fast rule? Is it something new for '07?

I'm 6'4" and drive a C4 corvette. I run the lexan roof already and have lowered my seat to gain headroom but will fail the 2" rule without a doubt if it means inside clearance. If it means it is 2" below the highest point of the car I might be OK but it is hard to measure.

I did run the 1st day @ NHIS last July and it didn't seem to be an issue. I'd like to run with COM again, and more often but am not sure if I'm compliant.

I had hoped to get get in touch with Bill F via email but they keep getting kicked back to me so I hope to get some definite answers here from any Steward or Tech Inspector.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

brucesallen · Post by **brucesallen** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 12:53 pm

the rule DOES mean 2: from the outside of the car. The SCCA thinking is that your head should not be the first thing hitting the rocks when your car is sliding upside down.
Now we know why Harvick didn't have a sun roof at Daytona.

ryanthieme · Post by **ryanthieme** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 12:57 pm

brucesallen wrote:the rule DOES mean 2: from the outside of the car. The SCCA thinking is that your head should not be the first thing hitting the rocks when your car is sliding upside down.
Now we know why Harvick didn't have a sun roof at Daytona.

You mean Clint Bowyer, right?

~ryan

tju-vette · Post by **tju-vette** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 3:29 pm

brucesallen wrote:the rule DOES mean 2: from the outside of the car. The SCCA thinking is that your head should not be the first thing hitting the rocks when your car is sliding upside down.

Understood and thanks for the clarification.

So how do I go about having one of the tech inspectors or stewards ensure that I'm compliant BEFORE my first event?

brucesallen · Post by **brucesallen** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 12:29 pm

ryanthieme wrote:
You mean Clint Bowyer, right?

~ryan

Yeah, right, Clint. Harvick was watching the show in his rear view mirror. While Mark was watching for the yellow flag!

Grippy · Post by **Grippy** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 4:38 pm

put on your helmet and strap in. Have someone put a broomstick on the roof of your car and measure the space between the broomstick and your helmet. Simple!

StephanAlfa · Post by **StephanAlfa** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:07 pm

As an FYI last year I had to make several changes for other instructors smaller in statue (all COM instructors rate very HIGH for me BTW) because of this rule. Most Miata's (one Alfa Spider) I was assigned to last year I had to change because my 6'2" frame would not fit into it.
It only makes good sense to have proper clearance. If you are a student, also account for Instructors who may be taller than you. A bar raised more than 2" is NOT going to slow you down. So err on the caution of safety especially for taller instructors.

breakaway500 · Post by **breakaway500** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 7:59 am

If your car is an open cockpit model with no windshield,where is the front of the broomstick placed?

brucesallen · Post by **brucesallen** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:05 pm

Wherever the front roll hoop is.

breakaway500 · Post by **breakaway500** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:25 pm

Would the front roll hoop be considered the first horizontal structure bar in the cockpit?(about the same location as the base of a windshield would be)

brucesallen · Post by **brucesallen** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:18 am

breakaway500 wrote:Would the front roll hoop be considered the first horizontal structure bar in the cockpit?(about the same location as the base of a windshield would be)

yes

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2" rule for helmet clearance

2" rule for helmet clearance

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