roll bar padding rule

[IraceLegends77]

I just saw this from Mike Patrick of Little Race Cars.

The 2009 rules will require SFI 45.1 rated roll bar padding anywhere
inside an area 1 foot away from the driver's head.  This is a new mandate and
it is also a minimum standard.  So you can install more if you like and
probably should.  The SFI 45.1 roll bar padding is more expensive than the old
style foam padding but it is fire resistant and absorbs/dissipates energy much
better than the foam padding.  600 Racing/INEX has imposed a new safety mandate
starting in 2009 which is a necessary and smart enhancement to the safety
aspects of our hotrods.

Mike Patrick
Little Race Cars
804 507-0106

[VMS Motorsports]

A good rule, with all the fires last year, alot of the cheap crappy foam swimming pool noodle type paaddings were melting and dripping onto the drivers. The good stuffs like $18 bucks for a 3 foot stick, but worth it

[knuclebuster]

I just recieved my order of longacre high density roll bar padding.   Im not sure padding would be the correct term for this product being that it seems as hard as steel.  Is this normal for the 'high density' material that dosent drip or melt? 

KB

[VMS Motorsports]

Yeah, its rock hard, not meant for comfort, but protects alot better in a hard impact, and doesnt melt on ya!

[justfreaky]

Yep. That's the right stuff!

[Racinjj]

The standard softer stuff doesnt do much in a hard impact, it deforms quickly and you end up hitting the hard object which hurts.  Plus that stuff burns really easy.  I am glad they did this, I have been using it since 2001 when I first saw it.

[thunder938]

I changed mine last year along with the fuel line to S/S after is saw pics of a car that was in a fire..

[MegaMang]

I replaced mine last season.  The way I saw it, the soft stuff is for protecting yourself when sitting still, but I wanted protection from high impact.  That plus fire retardant properties made it a sure bet for me.  Expensive, but cheaper than life.  Plus I didn't really want to be a vegetable.

Mike