BMW 1Series Convertible - Roll bar Needed

[Mulie1]

Hello everyone...

 

I am a total newbie to this site and to HPDE. I just heard about HPDE from a friend and I am interested in starting at the bottom and learning as much as I can about driving. I have been driving for over 30 years, done some quarter mile and motorcycle closed course stuff but never anything like HPDE. I am just starting out so I'd like to use my daily driver, maybe investing in upgrades or track car later.

 

I currently have a BMW 128i Convertible. Super fun car but I can't tell if I can run this in HPDE Group 1/2 events. It does have a rollover protection system but it may not meet the "immediately behind" rule. And, of course, I can't find a removable roll bar option

 

 

Am I out of luck here??? Are there other ways I can get started with my current rig?

 

Thanks for helping an ignorant new guy!

[getfast]

Hello and welcome. Where are you located? There are some convertibles that can be HPDE'd with just the factory rollover protection. Each regional director has a current list from the national office. Certain events or certain tracks may have additional requirements. Your best bet is to contact your nearest regional director, the list is at http://www.nasaproracing.com/aboutnasa/regions.html

 

Fire away if you have any other questions, we're here to help!

[kbrew8991]

this is the site that Dave B. the TX and RM regional director refers me to when seeing if a car is DE/TT legal without a rollbar or not:

http://www.nasanorcal.com/index.php?/site/section_hpde_rollbars

 

I know it's NorCal's site, but, I imagine most regions would either refer directly to it or have a similar list.

 

Jon's advice to double check with local mgt is wise though, there could be some track-specific oddities you may face and they may not stick directly to norcal's list as well.

[getfast]

Yep, that's the same list I have. We don't publish it on the FL site for fear of staying on top of any updates ("But your website said six months ago when I registered that my convertible was ok!") and in case any track-specific additional requirements appear. I recall a track in another region that suddenly started requiring aftermarket rollover protection in certain convertibles even though NASA said they were ok for HPDE without it. Which brings us back to the suggestion about touching base with one's nearest RD...