Front impact attenuation device clarification
Since this rule has now passed and I'm looking at how to build one, I need two clarifications;
1. Is the 40 cm forward of the pedals to the front or rear face of a composite structure as set forth in C?
2. The minimum 5-ounce laminates, is that 5-ounce mat or 5-ounce cloth? This is significant because mat is measured by the weight per square foot and cloth by the weight per square yard.
Stan?
Additional front bulkhead
The idea of an additional bulkhead in front of the existing front bulkhead is one that has really caught my attention. It seems an easy way to add a fair bit of front crash protection fairly easily. An RF85 (what I have at the moment) has a reasonably robust perimeter frame around it's bulkhead, supported substantially by all the rocker mounts and framing up to the shock mounts. Can you suggest what additional structure might be added, material specs, etc, that would create a functional bulkhead ahead of the master cylinders?
I'm thinking of 3/4" or 1" square steel tubing, .050", tig welded with a rectangular section out front of the MC's, carried back to the existing frame with triangulated longitudinal members. It has to fit inside the nose, obviously, and you might also plate it with bonded and riveted aluminium, or even spot welded steel sheet.
Would a simple structure like this add significantly to the safety of the car? If so, it seems a good way to spend a Saturday in the shop, wouldn't take long to fabricate.
Thanks, Brian