Re : Left Hand side cockpit panels – DIRECTLY FROM SCCA

At the 2014 SCCA AGM the State Member Club Delegates asked the National Tech Officer to investigate a safe minimum opening for the left side cockpit panel if fitted. Firstly I would like to thank those States who have taken the time to return correspondence to the SCCA, to help investigate a suitable answer to this matter.

After supportive information from some State Member Clubs added with my own investigations, I find it hard to set a measurement that I feel is safe to allow quick extraction of a driver in an emergency situation, when either:
1. A full containment seat is used and or
2. When a sun visor is also used and or
3. Left Hand Side Bar and panels are in place

Therefore until further investigation, and based on safety, it is my finding that Left Hand Cockpit Panels not be allowed to be used, until the State Member Clubs can, via National Tech agree on a minimum opening size. This decision will not be acceptable by all and with this in mind National Tech would like to ask all State member clubs to have any cars with these panels in their club measured and that the delegates that are elected to come to the conference in September, bring the results for further investigation .