Solo I!!!
 

Okay, I've submitted my forms and the car, wife and I are ready (I think) for our first SOLO I event August 11th. Here's what was needed for the event:

all necessary forms (including medical)
5 point harness (got a 6)
Snell M2000 helmet
SFI3-1 racing suit
SFI3+ gloves, underwear, socks, balaclava
SFI 3+ arm restraints
SFI3+ shoes
10B:C fire extinguisher mounted to within driver's reach (mounted mine to front floor of passenger seat using trick AL bracket)
4 point roll bar meeting 1.750 dia x .095 thick specs- mild steel and/or alloy with harness bar and cross brace (using M2's)

And the extra's I'm using:
Motul 600 brake fluid
Hawk HT14's front & Blues rear
stainless steel pistons for AP calipers up front with high temp dust seals
custom AL brake ducts mounted to 99+ front spoiler and 3" high temp silicone hose
Thermax caliper temp strips
enlarged radiator intake with custom CF ducting

Anybody think of anything I'm missing?

Thanks,

Gene
car mods at http://www.purplemantis.com/RX-7/rx_mods.htm

Wow, I thought you needed a full cage and SA-rated helmet for Solo I.

Now those hillclimbs in pearby PA look more doable! :D :D

Not sure about hillclimbs. The rules are pretty vague in that much is left to the discretion of each region.

In my region a full cage is recommended, but not mandatory unless you're in GT1 class.

Some SOLO I regions won't let the M2 rollbar pass either.

Gene

Damn Gene, I just looked at your website and it looks like you've got *everything* covered!! Maybe some race gas?

If you pad the rollbar, get the padding that's more "firesafe". Apparently, the cheap stuff can melt all over you in a fire, get through your fireproof clothing and burn the hell out of you. The good stuff doesn't do that. Supposedly, the good stuff is called Confor Foam, and can be purchased at any decent racing supply shop. Here's the scary story illustrating why you want the good stuff:

__________________________________________________ __

From "The Checker"
Official Publication of the Central Florida Region, Sports Car Club of
America
Volume 44, Issue 7, July 2002

Padding Hazard !!!
Dave Franck

A recent fire incident brought to focus a new hazard that may be lurking in our race cars. This is the padding so many of us use to pad the roll cage and other hard interior parts. This padding, when in a fire or burning, evidently melts and drips a VERY HOT liquid material onto
whatever and WHOEVER in under it.

We had an unfortunate, though dramatic, demonstration of this in a car fire at the Daytona National on May 5th when Chris Robson's S2000 (#59) caught fire coming out of the chicane. Chris brought the car to a halt between NASCAR turns 3 and 4 whereupon the fire ball that was behind him
caught up with Chris and the car. The padding did not burst into flames but as it burned, it melted and dripped onto Chris' right arm and shoulder! Chris was very lucky! He was on fire as he got out of the car and hit the ground and he received 2nd and 3rd degree burns over about 25% of his body. Chris had all the right fire protection equipment on and it worked to save him from extremely serious harm or worse. It is interesting to note that the worst of his burns were the result of the padding burning and melting onto his suit causing 3rd degree burns and
requiring resulting skin grafts.

All drivers should take note of this and check your padding ratings and how it reacts to fire. You may want to consider changing the padding materials you use for improved performance in a fire or consider covering the padding with Nomex (or something similar) to buy a little
more time and to absorb or re-direct the melting material. Remember to address all the padding in your car and not just what is above you in normal driving since you can't guarantee that you will always be "wheels down" in a fire incident.

Note: As of this writing, Chris is back home with his family, recovering from the ordeal and contemplating his racing future.

Thanks! I was just speaking to someone about the fire resistant padding yesterday.

As far as race gas goes, I need to find a local source for unleaded 100 (or mix my own)...

Anyone?

Gene

They don't require a full cage for the hillclimbs here, but I spoke with the guy that runs a couple of them and, no big surprise, they strongly recommend a full cage. IMO (and I'm sure most would agree), they are more dangerous than track events. I think there was a death last year or the year before at one of them.

Ya I figured as much... the hillclimbs I've seen on the 'net (looking at info from the SpeedNation site) had insane heights. Then again I'm an Ohio boy and stuff doesn't get too high around here especially by the lake... I think the highest point in Ohio might be one of the roller coasters at Cedar Point ;)

yeah baby!
 

Yes, FDs can run SOLO I! Ask me how I know....

Gene