I'm changing the rules
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From: Houston
I'm changing the rules
literally 
In SCCA's SSM class, only OEM hard tops are currently legal. This is stupid. You can replace practically every other body panel on the car with carbon if you so desire. The class has a weight limit, so that's not an issue, and to top it off OEM hard tops are getting harder to come by... it just makes sense to allow aftermarket tops. So I wrote a letter and apparently they actually read it.
If it goes through, aftermarket hardtops will be legal but they will be treated as open cars with regard to driver restraints... WIN! 
In SCCA's SSM class, only OEM hard tops are currently legal. This is stupid. You can replace practically every other body panel on the car with carbon if you so desire. The class has a weight limit, so that's not an issue, and to top it off OEM hard tops are getting harder to come by... it just makes sense to allow aftermarket tops. So I wrote a letter and apparently they actually read it.
The following rule change proposal has been recommended by the SMAC and is published here for member review and
comment (#7510):
- Replace 16.1.N with the following..
N. Removable OE hardtops, T-Tops, targa tops, sunroofs, moon roofs, and similar roof-mounted panels may be
removed/replaced with alternate panels provided that the area of interface is limited to the original perimeter of the
t-top, sunroof, etc. or utilizes the OE panel mount points, and that the contour of any replacement panel surface
does not vary from the contour of the part being replaced by more than 1 inch in any direction. The material used
to construct the alternate panel and the method used to attach it to the interface is unrestricted. Any actuation
mechanism and the associated wiring, if any, may be removed. Vehicles utilizing alternate (non-OE) hardtops will
be considered as open cars in regard to Section 3.3.1.
comment (#7510):
- Replace 16.1.N with the following..
N. Removable OE hardtops, T-Tops, targa tops, sunroofs, moon roofs, and similar roof-mounted panels may be
removed/replaced with alternate panels provided that the area of interface is limited to the original perimeter of the
t-top, sunroof, etc. or utilizes the OE panel mount points, and that the contour of any replacement panel surface
does not vary from the contour of the part being replaced by more than 1 inch in any direction. The material used
to construct the alternate panel and the method used to attach it to the interface is unrestricted. Any actuation
mechanism and the associated wiring, if any, may be removed. Vehicles utilizing alternate (non-OE) hardtops will
be considered as open cars in regard to Section 3.3.1.
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Any book that thick is going to have some BS that doesn't make any sense. Jmann has a fiberglass top on his track rat that looks just like OEM from 20'. It was cheap and weighs half of even an early OEM top - perfect for track and race cars. Props for helping get one more ounce of common sense into the rules. 
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
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1 inch lower at the top of rear window and 1 inch further back at the trunk will make it that much fastbackish, but anything is significant in the SM* camp.
1 inch ridges and 1 inch lower roof makes a 2 inch roof channel (if the cage allows)
Change that to .5inch and it becomes much less fun, but it must be "techable" and all true OEM tops should fall within the fixed measurement (what measurement/profile is the norm?).
1 inch ridges and 1 inch lower roof makes a 2 inch roof channel (if the cage allows)
Change that to .5inch and it becomes much less fun, but it must be "techable" and all true OEM tops should fall within the fixed measurement (what measurement/profile is the norm?).
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It's still dumb to consider an aftermarket hardtop equipped car essentially an open top car. The manufacturer of the top shouldn't be an issue as long as it's dimensionally similar to OE and it's bolted on. There could be an exemption clause for specific manufacturers such as Autokonexion that make a very specific product which could be deemed legal for specific classes.
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If approved I bet it will have to be identical to the factory top in dimension. Any deviation
from the factory specs could change aero and give an advantage to the replacement top. Otherwise, it wont happen.
from the factory specs could change aero and give an advantage to the replacement top. Otherwise, it wont happen.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 34,381
Total Cats: 7,504
From: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Fort Worth, Texas
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