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two-wheeling Spridgets

To: aj@squid.corp.sgi.com
Subject: two-wheeling Spridgets
From: phile@pwcs.stpaul.gov (Philip J Ethier)
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 92 16:10:19 CDT
aj "what's your 0 to 360 time?" herrera writes >

>I have a 64 Sprite.  A friend of mine was driving behind me the other
>day, and swears that I got the 2 inside wheels off the ground in a
>right turn.
>It seems unlikely to me

Me, too.  She may have been mistaken.

What kind of tires do you have?  
What was the surface like?  
Was there any camber or banking to the road?
Have you made any suspension modifications?
Do you have a limited-slip differential?
Did you spin the inside wheel?
What the heck was SHE driving to be able to stay with a Spridget which
  was two-wheeling a corner?

>I got to thinking: "How 'bout a roll bar?"

This is a good idea regardless of how you drive.  Circumstances (often with
"MACK" written on the front) can cause you to drive down an embankment or some 
such.

>1. Do people (not on racetracks) flip Spridgets?

Not in ordinary cornering.  Even with very sticky tires, it would be difficult
on flat pavement.  You could slide into a curb, though, or make that 
aforementioned trip down an embankment.

>(Is a rollbar justified)?

Always.  A roll bar will also give some limited strength advantage in a side 
impact, but you would really need a cage to help much with that.  Remember, 
this is a very small car, and likely to come out second best in almost any 
encounter.  Put in a roll bar and decent seat belts (I always wore 4-points) 
and drive sensibly.  Do your fast stuff when  you are sure you can see.  I 
recommend you do your serious fast driving at autocrosses.  Much safer, and 
fun, too!

>2. How do I get a rollbar for this car w/o paying $200 to Moss?

You can shop around the Britcar and racing places.  Some brands are Autopower
and Kirk.  Get the highest one that will allow you to put the top on.  Tell 
them you want a "Street Bar".  An SCCA race bar will screw up your passenger 
space and and top. 

>3. What is required to install such a thing?

A power drill motor, some drills, some wrenches, a pile of 3/8" grade 5 bolts 
and Nylock nuts.  The plates on the bar have matching plates.  You bolt them 
together with the bodywork in between.  You want to put the back of the car on 
jackstands and take the back wheels off to have room to work.

Phil Ethier, THE RIGHT LINE, 672 Orleans Street, Saint Paul, MN   55107-2676
h (612) 224-3105   w (612) 298-5324     phile@pwcs.stpaul.gov
"The workingman's GT-40" - Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman

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