for autocross and IT use

I'm a little unclear of what I can have. Right now we have the main hoop, braces to each rear shock mount, braces to each foot well area in the front. The part I'm unsure of is where am I allowed more braces. I would like to add one a few inches up from the rear shock mounts joining the rear braces. This would be like a rear strut brace, but part of the cage. I'm trying to bypass the "no weld in rear strut brace" rule. Is this legal according to the rules? I was thinking of another option as well. What about a X design in between the two rear braces? This will eliminate the back seat for passengers on the street, but I'll just use it to haul things.

Here's the SCCA rules I have found so far:
Roll cages must comply with the following:
The roll cage need not be removable. It shall be bolted or welded to the car.
The cage shall attach to the car at no more than 8 points, consisting of the basic cage with 6 attachment points, and 2 additional braces.
The forward part of the cage shall be mounted to the floor of the vehicle. In addition, the 2 optional braces referred to in (b) may be mounted, one on either side, from the forward section of the cage to the firewall or front fender wells. No braces shall pass through the front firewall.

thanks

Originally posted by autox320
I'm a little unclear of what I can have. Right now we have the main hoop, braces to each rear shock mount, braces to each foot well area in the front. The part I'm unsure of is where am I allowed more braces. I would like to add one a few inches up from the rear shock mounts joining the rear braces.

That would be completely legal. You can weld as many braces throughout the cage as you want as long as it only attaches at 6 points (plus 2 for the "foot protection" points).

What about a X design in between the two rear braces? This will eliminate the back seat for passengers on the street, but I'll just use it to haul things.

Absolutely. Adds quite a bit of stiffness to the rear of the car through triangulation. Remember, the X-bracing does not have to be of the same size/thickness as the main bars, so you can save lots of weight by using lighter tubular stock.

The cage shall attach to the car at no more than 8 points, consisting of the basic cage with 6 attachment points, and 2 additional braces.
The forward part of the cage shall be mounted to the floor of the vehicle. In addition, the 2 optional braces referred to in (b) may be mounted, one on either side, from the forward section of the cage to the firewall or front fender wells. No braces shall pass through the front firewall.

From your description, it sound like you have a roll bar and not a roll cage. Do you have a bar running above your windshield with braces running down to the floor?

The above rules refer to a cage that includes a main roll hoop with braces to the rear as you describe. That takes care of 4 mounting points. Then, you have a hoop running above the windshield, using the remaining 2 mounting points. The "extra" mounting points include the use of a brace between the bottom mounting point of the windshild hoop and the firewall.

thanks again,

Yes technically I guess it is just a roll bar. Right now I'm concentrating on the rear section since It's just for solo2. By next year add the front two braces with top of windshield bar and bolt in door bars for solo1, etc.(money permitting)

We are welding the rear braces in this week. I'm not sure if I'll go with the X in the back, because of being hassled on the street for it. Does anybody have problems with a roll bar on the street? I just don't want all eyes on me.