Driver Height

[jperine]

I am interested in building a 944 Spec.

 

I recently sold my Spec Miata - I did not feel there was enough room over my head.

 

I am 6'3" - could anyone comment on the headroom in a 944 or possibly give me a measurement from the floor to roof.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Jeff

[PeanutinCA]

Approx 40".

[944-Spec#94]

Well 944's are great for tall drivers. Get a custom cage and a low mounted seat and you should be just fine. I suggest the custom cage since it can be taylored to your height and seat position. Also many bolt in can crowd the inside. A nice custom one will create a spacious interior.

 

[Spec-944#70]

I'm 6'3" with a custom cage and have no issues. Come join the fun!!

[Tim Comeau]

Must be that viking blood.......

[jperine]

Eric - how much room do you have over your - in inches please.

 

Thank you all for the replies thus far.

 

Jeff

[Spec-944#70]

I can't measure as my car is up in Oxnard but I have room with my helmet. Get a welded in cage and lower the seat and you won't have any issues. I don't.

[jperine]

I am sorry to beat the horse dead here... by way of explanation - I built the Miata (bent and welded the cage myself from 1.5 DOM). Slammed the seat to floor, I even went as far as working the metal on the seat bottom to fit - well - my bottom. I still didn't have more than 2" over my head. In a bad shunt, belt stretch in the harness would likely put my melon on the track.

 

Jeff, you say, why do you type so much?

 

First - I suppose I want to introduce myself to the group as someone with some experience. I am very comfortable with the fabbing end of racing and happy to help anyone with any questions I might answer. I am also happy to lend a hand if any Westertners want to fly a boy out from Rochester, NY

 

Second I am doing a little homework before I sucker my wife into another racecar. We made a little money selling the Miata but I expended allot of "marital capital" getting it buit.

 

So… I post this long-winded explanation so I don’t irritate the entire board when I ask Eric 3 final questions (this is not a promise)!

 

Eric:

 

1 - Would you guess you have two fingers or a full fist between your helmet and the roof?

 

2 - Do you think there is room left for a modification to the sunroof (i.e. – removing bracketing etc.)?

 

3 - How aggresive is your seat back angle?

 

Thank you all very much – this looks like a great group.

 

Jp

 

88 MR-2 SSC

81 RX-7 ITS

90 Spec Miata

8? 944-Spec

[Spec-944#70]

1. I think between 2 fingers and a fist. I'll check for you as soon as I get my car back.

2. My sunroof bracketing is removed as is all the padding and stuff inside. It's now help on by 4 clips on the roof.

3. My seat is angled back a bit but not too much. I also have the sliding seat bracket in place and my seat is not all the way back. With putting it on the bottom mounting hole and angling back a bit I've made a comfortable fit.

Hope this helps and when I get my car I'll check the spacing between my noggin and roof as well as send you a pic or 2.

[Tim Comeau]

Jeff, Are you really in NY?

[jperine]

Tim,

 

Who the hell would lie about that! ; )

 

Born and raised here not 90 mins from Watkins Glen - actually hold a lap record in my old MR2.

 

I figure the class (944-Spec) will be here about the time I get the motor built. My Spec Miata was the same way - took a risk and it paid off - it was a really great car to race! A little tight for a guy with two kids.

 

944-Spec is a rock solid class - allot more car than the Miata and room for the freakishly tall racers among us. I will campaign (and get spanked) as an ITS - they will come around!

 

jp

[Tim Comeau]

944 Cup is based out of Virginia? They're a NASA group managed by Dave Derecola last I heard. They take any racing 944 from any sanctioning body, then stack weight on them to try to equalize the field.

We need someone to start a group of real 944-spec cars on the East Coast.

[jperine]

VIR - 8 hour tow! No- problem in the olden days.

 

My main tracks are The Glen, Limerock, Nelson Ledges, Mid Ohio.

 

jp

[944-Spec#94]

PS.. seat mounting is important. I am not that all 5' 7". I won't bore you with my space above me, but I sit as low or lower than anyone.

 

The key is to bolt right to the floor. I had another spec driver sit in my seat. We run the same sparco pro2000 seat. Yet my car has load of head room his does not.

 

This for 3 reasons.

 

1) He has a bolt in cage. This means the bars are closer to you. I have custom weld in. Eric does too. This means much more "space" inside.

 

2) He is using sliders. I bolt my side mounts directly through the floor. No sliders = another 1/2 or so.

 

3) he is not on the lowest holes on the side mounts. He is up 1 from the bottom. Not sure why, but it might be to allow clearance to slide the seat. I am on the lowest holes on the side mount both front and rear.

 

 

So... I believe that if tall drivers consider the above 3 they can have PLENTY of Room. However if you feel cramped in the car and are short consider the above 3 as well.

[Tim Comeau]

That's ok, too, Jeff. Just grab any 944 drivers there and tell them about the class. Jump on your local Zone 1? forum and spread the word. Once guys see the rules, many are "sold" instantly.

[DOUBLEXL RACING]

A LITTLE OFF TOPIC, BUT WHATS WRONG WITH ROCHESTER??

BORN AND RAISED THERE, LIVING IN ORLANDO NOW!!

I'M 6'4", AND BUILDING A 944 . CAGE ISN'T IN YET BUT SOON!! SEEMS TO BE MORE THAN ADAQUATE ROOM. I'M ALSO A LITTLE WIDER THAN MOST !!

[Tim Comeau]

Chris,

Build your 944 to 944-spec rules and get some other guys to do so too!

It's cheaper than ITS rules and from what I hear, you're going to be outclassed in ITS anyway. Our 944-spec class takes into account your "Double X" nature and compensates for it.

2600 lbs including the driver is what our rules say.

Check out our rules at the head of this forum. I think you might be pleasantly surprised........