Funny car cages....good or bad?

Wade Mahaffey · 06-11-2010, 10:15 PM

Funny car style roll cages are mandatory in some race cars for NHRA and IHRA certifications. In full body cars it is an addition to an already (full cage) proven package. The full cage with funny car cage is great for keeping bad things away from the driver. When I was driving in one from 95-99, I gotta tell ya I did'nt like that support (middle bar) right beside my ear. Now while fabricating the chassis, I did build the cage nice and wide. But was constantly thinking, If my head ever contacts that bar (even padded) six inches away I'm gonna be in serious trouble. I have seen head trama first hand in my 25 years as a professonal firefighter. I would like to see a new design that would not have a bar anywhere close to the drivers head. We need to take some notes from NASCAR on this one. They crash at 200 and walk away with no head injuries. You won't find a bar close to anyones head in those cars (and there's a reason for that)! My opinion

Next time you get in your car for a run, move around and check to see if your head can contact any bar. Now add about four more inches to that, because that's how far you'll really move in a serious crash! And anyone building or adding a cage, this should be a top priority for you!

Wade Mahaffey

06-11-2010, 10:15 PM	#1
Wade Mahaffey Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 581 Likes: 0 Liked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Funny car cages....good or bad? Funny car style roll cages are mandatory in some race cars for NHRA and IHRA certifications. In full body cars it is an addition to an already (full cage) proven package. The full cage with funny car cage is great for keeping bad things away from the driver. When I was driving in one from 95-99, I gotta tell ya I did'nt like that support (middle bar) right beside my ear. Now while fabricating the chassis, I did build the cage nice and wide. But was constantly thinking, If my head ever contacts that bar (even padded) six inches away I'm gonna be in serious trouble. I have seen head trama first hand in my 25 years as a professonal firefighter. I would like to see a new design that would not have a bar anywhere close to the drivers head. We need to take some notes from NASCAR on this one. They crash at 200 and walk away with no head injuries. You won't find a bar close to anyones head in those cars (and there's a reason for that)! My opinion Next time you get in your car for a run, move around and check to see if your head can contact any bar. Now add about four more inches to that, because that's how far you'll really move in a serious crash! And anyone building or adding a cage, this should be a top priority for you! Wade Mahaffey