09-12-2006, 02:26 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Vista, CA
Posts: 908
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 Quote:
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Originally Posted by Andrew
I'm a relatively new tech inspector in Northern California. Are we expected to verify tube thickness and the like on roll cages on race cars? Just not sure how invasive we're expected to be.
Andrew Watry
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Most roll bars have an inspection hole in them. If the one you are inspecting has one, you should use it. If it doesn't, ask the owner if the bar meets the club roll bar specs. If someone shows up with something that has poor looking welds, etc., you might want to question the construction a bit. If you aren’t sure how to handle something in particular, call Paul Ellis and ask his advice.
Over the years I've heard lots of tech inspection horror stories. One involved a roll bar constructed primarily from exhaust pipe tubing in order to save weight. Presumably it had a small section of "within spec" tubing inserted where the inspection hole was located so it would look “OK”. And just to be sure it sounded sturdy in case someone tapped it with a little hammer or something similar, the inside had been foamed to "improve the sound". No tech inspector can be expected to catch this kind of thing. It’s the car owner who is ultimately responsible for preparing and maintaining a safe car. If someone wants to get away with something, they can probably find a way to do it.
BTW, I asked Paul Ellis to give you a call in case you have any other questions or want to get more specific about how to check roll bars.
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Bruce Colby - Street = '69 1750 GTV/TS; Track = '65 SGT/TS, '89 E30, '72 914/6
gone to new homes  - '71 Jr. Z, '69 1750 Spider, '62 Spider
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