PIP's for Roll Bar & Interior Mods

[philip_240sx]

After reading the Solo 1 Workshop post, I am concerned about how section 6.3 is interpreted.

I plan to install a 4pt roll bar in my car, a Nissan 240SX. However it necessitates removal of several interior panels to properly fit the bar:

- B Pillar trim on both sides
- Carpeting around the attachment points
- The rear portion of the headliner behind the B pillar
- Some trunk/hatch area trim to fit the rear braces
- Rear seat

Can someone please clarify the following:

Does removal/modification of these panels consitute an interior panel mod under section 6.3.11 and subject it to +2 PIP's? Or am I covered under 5.11.6 (permitted seat removal) and 5.11.8 (modifications required for rollover protection installation) hence no PIP's are applied? If the latter is true, to what extent am I permitted to modify the panels?

I realize that the 2003 rules assess -2 PIP's for a rollover protection and +2 for interior mods... essentially a NIL effect. But with potential rule changes in mind, I want to be sure of all my options.

Thanks :)

[Dave]

Phil, it's too early for me to say with any certainty how the changes will look, but based on our research on the subject so far I'd say we're going to see a single negative PIP category (worth 1-2 PIPs) that will require the installation of a roll bar (or roll cage) AND a fire extinguisher. At the same time, it's possible we'll lower the interior gutting to 1 PIP if we find that the amount of weight that can be pulled (on average, over a wide variety of cars) doesn't justify the current 2 PIP value attached to it.

All I can say is, we'll have it all sorted out in time for the 2004 rulebook to go to print on time :)

[philip_240sx]

Thanks Dave. Looking forward to seeing the new rule book. :)

The interior is partially gutted in prep for the 4pt roll bar. In the meantime, I can wait for the 2004 rules. Worse case, I can easily re-install the interior panels if I don't want to add PIP's.