Tom
I completely agree that these cars are not at all suited to a race track. It is not just the lack of protection that causes one concern, but the intrinsic evil handling nature of the cars due to the basic configuration. You can still be seriously injured in a car with a full cage, and in fact it is more dangerous to have one in the car on the street unless you are prepared to wear a helmet at all times. Racer X, you just don't get it or are not skilled enough to drive a car at speeds high enough to see the true nature of the Cobra . If you were you would recognize how bad these cars handle and would have more respect than just thinking your training will save you. Perhaps you do not know anyone who has been killed racing...
I have taken maybe 15 laps on various tracks in my car and I did not enjoy it at all, in fact I was frightened at Sears and thought I was going to hit the wall on the main straight. I go faster at Sears in my Civic race car and certainly flew around in the Camaros and Mustangs I have run there. My 120 hp Civic laps Thunderhill faster than the Factory Five spec racers, a good indication of the relative handling. I held an ASN FIA International 'B' license for years and drove in endurance races for 10 years all over the continent, so it is not like I have never been on the track. In fact I am driving in the Thunderhill 25 hour race this weekend and am tied with another BACC member for the class championship. We both use Hondas at the track.... I suggest that anyone who tracks these cars does what Spec Miata in SCCA mandates - get the hardtop and bolt it on if it is an SPF, put in a cage, wear arm restraints and use a window net. You will still wreck the thing when you try to catch a BMW, but at least you will survive with minor injuries...
We have had at least 4 SPF cars totalled and one wrecked and repaired in the last year or so in our group. I am sure all the members join me in asking everyone to cool it for a while as we will not be able to insure these things if this keeps up due to number registered vs losses at the insurance companies. Tom can comment as his wife works with my agent.....
Oh, and no cage? Here is a shot of Lew at the track he is number 311 - notice his helmet relative to the windshield and roll bar? Mine is the same..
http://www.ncracing.org/members-300.html
Steve