Rep Power: 288

Is it against regulation to have shaved door handles at the track?

I read another post at some random website where this one guy had a friend that had complete shaved door handles on his car, and he went to the track, and they wouldn't let him race because they said that they need a way to get into the vehicle from the outside.

Does anyone know if this is a regulation of some sort? Or if it was just that track he went to?
Thanks

 
Rep Power: 314

I don’t know about legal or illegal but at my local track you cant run with out handles or a seat belt.

Because like you said, they cant pull you out of the car if you wreck.

my .2

 
Rep Power: 251

I am sure for most racing events this is not legal for the above stated reasons. Besides it is a racing event not a car show, why do you need shaved handles??

 
Rep Power: 424

I'm gonna probably say YES as a general rule. It sounds like a track dependent rule, but sounds like a major safety issue. I know for autoX and road racing, they wouldnt let you out there without a way to get you out of the car. No one is gonna want to look for a door popper (or figure out if it still works) while the car is on fire.

 
Rep Power: 288

Well, being the devil's advocate for debating purposes:
If the doors are locked and the windows are up, and lets say (God forbid of course) You're unconscious wouldn't they have to break the window to get you out anyway? So then what good would that door handle do for you?

I'm just curious, because I'd like to take my Civic to the track one day, like to a time attack competition. I just want to make sure I don't make a mistake when it comes to safety. I'd like to make my car a nice show car along with a formidable track car. Some of the best cars now a days are a combination of show cars and track cars. Anyways, I just e-mailed the event coordinator from redlinetimeattack.com maybe he can point me in the right direction. I'll post the results here.

 
Rep Power: 424

No they're not. They're race cars with pretty paint jobs because someone sponsored them, or they're stuffed full of shiny parts and taken to a track for a photoshoot. Track cars always have, and always will be ugly and dirty because function>>>> form.

Anyways.... they require you to have door handles. even if they gotta smash the window, its far easier to pop a lock button and pull the handle from the outside, and no one wants to stick their head in a burning car to find the inner handle. Additionally, if you ROLL the car, no one's gonna find that handle anyways.
They need access to your car as fast as possible, bottom line. Most people track with the doors unlocked (or locks removed) so that its a non-issue.

 
Rep Power: 290

I think shaving door handles should be illegal on street driven cars. I also completely understand why tracks don't allow it. Not trying to flame your idea, but as someone who pulls half dead people out of cars for a living, I can say that shaved door handles would complicate the process.

added: Also, remember if something goes wrong with them, and we can't open the door, we're either going to pop the door with a Hurst tool (jaws) or cut your roof off. Both of these processes will just about guarantee your car is a total loss.

 
Rep Power: 288

Ha ha, both of you make very good/substantial points. Thanks for your info.

I've always thought that shaved door handles was pretty trick. But I think I've come to the conclusion that I care more about taking my civic to a time attack event then winning more point at Hot import nights or whatever.

 
Rep Power: 288

Haha, I know what you mean, but I think you can have a worthy track car that looks good! Well, at least that's my long term goal. I guess if I slap a ton of stickers on it'll distract people from the dirtiness.

 
Rep Power: 251

^^^^The thing is to make a car look nice and keep it that way you have to care about the entire car. There are only a couple of things that I care about on my car drivetrian, tires, suspension, and brakes. Not that I don't take pride in it and try to keep it nice, but the last thing I will be thinking about as I slide backwards off of the track is "damn I hope I don't chip the paint, or crack the bumper". It would be more like "**** there goes those tires and that alignment, I hope if I hit something, the end without the engine hits first."

 
Rep Power: 424

.... and another thing I just thought of... you're required to race with the windows down, rain or shine. I forgot about that. Windows are out of the equation too. So anyways, in sum, forget what the car looks like, just throw at the guy driving it. Seat time ownz j00.

 
Rep Power: 288

Really? Wow I had absolutely no idea. I like my windows down anyways so that's cool.

 
Rep Power: 350

It helps with them up, less wind resistance. If I'm racing, I'll always race with them up.