Thanks guys for the quick response. Sorry I didn't reply individually, but
I get the digest at the end of the day and then reply at that time.
To sum up, you all indicated the NASCAR pop-ups help when going backwards
and rails help when going sideways. That is precisely why I asked. When
you spin (at some point during the 360) you are going BACKWARDS! The rail
is not going to help at all. You all agree the pop-ups can only help. I have
looked at various NASCAR installations and they are all mounted at an angle
to the longitudinal centerline. My guess (and video replays) show that they
deploy long before the car is going directly backwards. In fact, they come
out when the car is about 45 deg backward to the track centerline. They are
planting the car long before it comes around.
This can only be a safety issue. I have seen the kits and they are not so
large that they can't conform to many roof styles. In fact the older cars
have such a flat roof the installation would be easy. (Maybe a flat roof
doesn't need them because it does not act like a lifting body). The cable
lanyards are so pliable I doubt they would be a reason to NOT do the
installation. I don't remember how many spins were at Bonneville last summer
but there were many. Although not all body styles may need them I feel the
rule book should at least address the issue. Not to make it mandatory, but
to let everyone know it would be ok. Also, the rule book limits the height
of the rail to a max of 3/4" why not more?
Tom Bryant mentioned last year that when he added rails, the car got really
squirrelly. I think the cause was rail misalignment. However, Tom did not
precisely blame the rails for the poor handling. Maybe someone would prefer
to have NASCAR pop-ups instead of rails. Since they are flush until needed,
handling wouldn't be affected like with rails. Maybe consideration should be
given to allow either rails or NASCAR spoilers or a combination to be
determined by the builder. I know the NASCAR spoilers work without question.
We should be able to take advantage of the technology developed in those
million dollar test rides. -Elon
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