hell, lets just try to flip it and see what happens!
-James "flipped a chevette!" Creasy
Slip Angle Racing www.klio.net/cobra
BAPOC www.klio.net/probe
-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Hearn <khearn@Legato.COM>
>
>Frankly, I don't have any experience with a Previa, so I have no clue as
> to whether or not it's safe to autox. Does anyone out there who is
> saying it's unsafe have an actual experience with it, or or we just
> seeing knee-jerk reactions because it's a mini-van?
>
>Kevin's numbers at least make me think it *might* be safe. How many of
> those saying it's not safe realised that it's got a wider track
> than a Camaro? If it's got a track that's wider than a Camaro, it
> hardly falls into the "narrow track" category. I have no idea if it
> falls into the "high center of gravity" category, but at this point
> I'm not going to assume anything.
>
>How about if someone with some experience takes the vehicle in
> question out for a test drive and see how it feels? Who knows,
> maybe it's safer than those Rabbits that regularly get several
> inches of air under their rear wheels and have a history of
> rolling in autocrosses, yet are still allowed to run.
>
> Keith Hearn
> '99 Miata 10AE "Sexy Sadie" the Sapphire Shark
> B-Stock
> Milpitas, CA
>
>
>In message <4.3.2.7.0.20001018130914.02b50a20@derf.madams.com>, "Darren P.
Mada
>ms" writes:
>> Ok, I'll bite... damnit... :)
>>
>> Isn't there a better way to predict rollover stability? Didn't this come
>> up when that idiot at the insurance department or something used a
formula
>> similar to Kevin's numbers comparison (sorry Kevin, not a jab at you) and
>> came to the conclusion that any SUV has a 95% chance of rolling over?
>>
>> It was disputed that even the height of the CofG does not have a
>> substantial effect on rollover probability. I think it was also
discussed
>> on the national list that rear suspension and shock function at full (and
>> over) compression and full extension contribute to a large portion of
>> rollovers. I would think it would have to do more with roll centers and
>> polar movement and inertia than just track/height.
>>
>> Now, whether you want to make that a requirement for vehicle eligibility
is
>> up for debate... and what other cars might be excluded (Larry's Focus?
BMW
>> 318ti's?) too...
>>
>> --D
>>
>> p.s. I wouldn't allow the Previa to run just on the "why push our luck"
>> common sense rule, but you're right in that there's no specific rule. I
>> don't have my rulebook handy but I'm sure there's an out for the Safety
>> Steward or Solo Chief to override anything in the name of safety. Of
>> course, then the action is protestable, but a PC will most likely agree
>> with the chiefs.
>>
>> At 12:31 PM 10/18/00, Kevin Stevens wrote:
>> > >A Previa is not an acceptable vehicle for Solo II.
>> > >
>> > >--John Kelly
>> >
>> >(paraphrased: "Ditto." -- Charlie Davis)
>> >
>> >I'm wondering about the grounds for these opinions? I don't
particularly
>> >care about the Previa, but let's look at it.
>> >
>> >What the (1999) rulebook says:
>> >
>> >=========================
>> >3.1 ELIGIBLE VEHICLES
>> >A Solo II Event is open to any vehicle that can pass safety
inspection...
>> >except that vehicles with wheelbases exceeding 116 inches may be
excluded...
>> >
>> >Unstable vehicles with a high center of gravity and a narrow track must
be
>> >excluded (e.g. Suzuki Samurai, Jeep CJ series, and GEO Sidekick).
>> >==========================
>> >
>> >Vehicle Track Height
>> >Samurai 51.4 65.6
>> >Wrangler 58.0 70.6
>> >Sidekick 55.x 64.3
>> >Previa 61.4 68.7
>> >Camaro 60.6 51.8
>> >
>> >Clearly the Previa doesn't have a narrow track compared to anything.
High
>> >CG would have to be measured; however of note is that each of the
exampled
>> >vehicles are taller than they are wide. The Previa is two inches wider
than
>> >tall. It also carries its engine and drivetrain significantly lower
than
>> >most vehicles. Its wheelbase is 112.8 inches, the 4x4s range from
80-93.4.
>> >
>> >If we intend to exclude all minivans and SUVs, we better say so - the
>> >rulebook quite carefully does not. If there's some more subjective
criteria
>> >y'all are using, what is it? I don't have enough experience with
non-coupe
>> >cars in autocross to have a valid opinion - I never see them run.
>> >
>> >KeS
>>
>
>
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