The
Eastern Rock Crawling Championship Series (ERoCC) has commissioned
the SFI Foundation to create the design and material specifications
for roll cages that will be used in rock crawling competitions.
SFI has created roll cage standards for many different applications
such as race cars, dragsters, and tractors used in pulling
competitions. Many
sanctioning bodies, including the NHRA, use SFI specifications.
"Rockcrawling competitors are always looking for
ways to create a lightweight vehicle." said Tim
Rettig, spokesperson for ERoCC, "The proper roll
cage design becomes much more critical when you move to
more lightweight material. Our specification will be similar
to the NHRA's ' Driver Pod' design. This type of design
can be fit into many different
types of vehicles and is only concerned with the cage that
protects the driver compartment. This allows the competitor
to do whatever they want in front of, behind and under the
driver pod, which is required due to the many different
vehicle designs that compete in rockcrawling today."
SFI will study the forces that rockcrawling roll cages are
exposed to and will then work with competitors and manufacturers
to create a specification that will work well in compeitition.
The specification is anticipated to be available for the
2004 season.
About SFI
The SFI Foundation, Inc. (SFI) is a non-profit organization
established to issue and administer standards for specialty/performance
automotive and racing equipment. Manufacturers of equipment
are the primary users of SFI standards. Some standards are
adopted as part of the rules of race sanctioning organizations.
Ultimately, the consumer benefits from the program as it
establishes recognized levels of performance or quality
for a product. For more information, visit their website
at
www.sfifoundation.com
About ERoCC
The Eastern Rock Crawling Championship Series (ERoCC) is
the first and largest rock crawling series exclusively held
in locations east of the Mississippi. A relatively new motor
sport, rock crawling is a form of competitive four wheeling
in which a team of driver and spotter must navigate a vehicle
through a course of obstacles in a set amount of time.
Rockrawling has been popular for several years in the Western
US, and ERoCC has been successful at adopting the sport
to Eastern terrain. For more information, visit their website
at www.erocc.com.