NSX-T roll over safety???

[mtripp]

Hello,
I am an instructor for Cascade Sports Car Club, located in Portland, OR. We have strict requirements for hard tops or roll bars in convertibles for cars to be on track during our drivers training. We have fellow with an NSX-T that would like to register for our our drivers training but I can't find any specific information about the protection provided by the rear support? For example Porsche lists their Targa as providing roll bar like protection. So does anyone know of information on the roll over protection of the -T? Can it be claimed to be equivalent to the coupe? I know the coupe's are preferred for track do to rigidity, but is there also a safety aspect that will limit the -T from the track?

thanks
Mike

 

[CL65 Captain]

I have over 100 track days with my Targa and no group has ever said a word. If Porsche claims roll bar like.... then the NSX can be "like" too. Because it either is or isn't. Like doesn't mean shit when you actually roll it. And Porsche always think their stuff is better than it is.

 

[Hrant]

The Captain states pretty much the norm here in Northern California with most tracking car clubs.

But to answer your questions with some more details, the weakest scenario for the NSX-T in terms of roll over is being on the track without the top; a no no in my book. The B pillar and the cross (where the headrest is) is pretty solid. In a rollover without the top the A pillar will most likely collapse depending on the severity of the roll. With the top on, it gives the A pillar more support albeit everything is relative.

Take a look at the picture below; the red angle needs to a bit lower at the A pillar but you get the idea. If the head is anywhere close to the red line (and most who are 5'10" will be, then its a definite no go. This is why we very strongly recommend that the top be on. HTH.

 

[bullithollywood]

Hello,
I am an instructor for Cascade Sports Car Club, located in Portland, OR. We have strict requirements for hard tops or roll bars in convertibles for cars to be on track during our drivers training. We have fellow with an NSX-T that would like to register for our our drivers training but I can't find any specific information about the protection provided by the rear support? For example Porsche lists their Targa as providing roll bar like protection. So does anyone know of information on the roll over protection of the -T? Can it be claimed to be equivalent to the coupe? I know the coupe's are preferred for track do to rigidity, but is there also a safety aspect that will limit the -T from the track?

thanks
Mike

Honda says the Targa A pillar, B pillar base and rear roof rail were reinforced and empirical evidence shows it does provide some protection, at least as much as a coupe, but its no roll bar.

r.


.

 

[mtripp]

If there were some way to insure the latches that hold the top on didn't release and the top stayed on during a roll over then we wouldn't have a problem. I know it sounds like we are being overly cautious, but we have had roll-overs at our drivers training (not often, but I have seen it, luckily I wasn't the instructor in it).
Thanks for the replies
Mike

 

[Hrant]

If there were some way to insure the latches that hold the top on didn't release and the top stayed on during a roll over then we wouldn't have a problem. I know it sounds like we are being overly cautious, but we have had roll-overs at our drivers training (not often, but I have seen it, luckily I wasn't the instructor in it).
Thanks for the replies
Mike

No one not even a manufacturer of a street legal car can "insure" that the top will not come off. That is an unreasonable request for assurance. Having said this, unless the roll over is severe, as in several 360s or violent landing, on mild roll over the top "seems" to stay based on what I have seen on this forum [there may be a picture of the yellow NSX that flipped over in 1999 at an NSXPO street drive}. I am sure there is more empirical data somewhere with the insurance companies database.

 

[CL65 Captain]

I have seen a brand new Cayman S rolled multiple times by an instructor at a HPDE. Even being a "coupe" it didn't fair well. The truth of the matter is if you roll a car it doesn't matter unless you have a full cage.

 

[docjohn]

the roof latches(which are actualy pins that slide into the a and b pillars via two levers) do lock into position from inside.I have a t roofed car and have done too many events to count over the years.I've never had issues with passing tech.

 

[TURBO2GO]

From what I have gathered from the factory honda info the B is as strong as any car of its type. I agree the roof needs to stay on as it gives more support to the A. I know Hrant doesn't like the diameter of the locking pins but those are solid hardened steel and going to take a lot of force to break, in fact I don't believe it to be the weak link. I don't think that T will come off very easily.

The strength of the B does depend on the angle of impact as it does with any car.

In short, I don't think the NSX-T should be disqualified, as it is probably stronger than a lot of other cars running there.

 

[RSO 34]

I have over 100 track days and over 10,000 track miles at events all over the u.s. and in Canada and always passed tech with my targa panel locked in place. If a rollover would cause a properly latched targa panel to come off then a coupe probably ain't gonna give you a better outcome.....

 

[Hrant]

Just to clarify, I am also good with the NSX-T with the top on at the track :wink: