I am in lightweight mode and pulling out items I dont need in prep for a good cleaning and finally a coating of lizardskin. My question is, the spare tire are on the convertible. There is a back tire shaped bracket, thats easy to remove. But there is also an off center brace that goes from the mid section of the car to the rear area. The part the tire tie down screws into. Is this a reinforcement brace for the vert or can this be removed if I am not running a spare and need to lighten up? I ask because its off center, so I'd be surprised if it were structural.
Anyone know?
Thanks!

 

A picture will probably help explain.
This is where the spare mounts in the convertible.
I was going to remove it as I wont be running a spare, and will then lizardskin the entire pan.
It doesn't look structural to me, but figured I'd ask.