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Topic: Finding the right car for a 6'4" driver Email this topic to a friend | Subscribe to this TopicReport this Topic to Moderator
Page 1 of 2   of  31 replies
FASSTER23
September 09, 2010 at 01:52:10 PM
Joined: 09/01/2010
Posts: 111
Reply

I know Maxim and others build "tall cage" and "big boy" cars. My question is what is my best choice? I am tall and skinny. 6' 4" 200 pounds. I have sat in an Eagle and a Maxim. Both were to small. My head would have been flush with the top of the cage with a helmet on. My knees are in the steering box. Obviously there are MANY more standard size cars than tall cage style cars so, I am curious rather I can modify a standard car to work for me? I would rather not alter the cage. Some talk about moving the seat bar for extra room but, then mention the chance of the rear end hitting my rear end. Needless to say I'm not real keen to that idea. Any advice you can give or experiences you might have had would be appreciated.




Jake B.
September 09, 2010 at 01:58:39 PM
Joined: 10/21/2005
Posts: 526
Reply

See if you can find a way to contact Dale Blaney. He's probably had to deal with many of these same issues for his entire driving career. Sorry, don't have any contact info.


Signature here.

jwerkman
September 09, 2010 at 02:25:12 PM
Joined: 11/08/2006
Posts: 537
Reply

call rosey at roseys raceland



 


Hannity
September 09, 2010 at 02:25:42 PM
Joined: 09/18/2009
Posts: 536
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: FASSTER23 on September 09 2010 at 01:52:10 PM

I know Maxim and others build "tall cage" and "big boy" cars. My question is what is my best choice? I am tall and skinny. 6' 4" 200 pounds. I have sat in an Eagle and a Maxim. Both were to small. My head would have been flush with the top of the cage with a helmet on. My knees are in the steering box. Obviously there are MANY more standard size cars than tall cage style cars so, I am curious rather I can modify a standard car to work for me? I would rather not alter the cage. Some talk about moving the seat bar for extra room but, then mention the chance of the rear end hitting my rear end. Needless to say I'm not real keen to that idea. Any advice you can give or experiences you might have had would be appreciated.



Great topic!

Seeking out advice from Dale Blaney is a great idea. If you have the opportunity to talk to him, please share the results of your conversation.

The "tall cage" means the halo is taller. In some cases the entire halo is taller and in some cases only the rear portion of the cage is raised. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think all new Maxims feature a 2 inch taller halo (the rear portion).

The "big boy" option means that the A frame that the seat bolts to is moved from the frame rails to the rear cross-member. This option would give your knees more clearance. There is also a "big boy V", meaning the cross-members inside the A are V shaped, allowing you to push the seat back even further.

You can also change the position and shape of the lower seat bar, but I agree, you may create a clearance issue between the bottom of the seat and the torque tube.

Perhaps some other "tall" drivers would be willing to comment.

Please let us know if you have the chance to discuss with Dale. You could also call Maxim and simply ask which tall/big boy options Dale uses on his car. I'm curious about the seat bar too!



cws9
September 09, 2010 at 02:38:01 PM
Joined: 05/07/2005
Posts: 59
Reply

How tall is Jack Dover? He has to be pushing 6'4". He will be at Eagle in Nebraska this weekend. About a 3 hour drive from you. Might be worth it to go up and see the race and have a chat with him.



Pettas
September 09, 2010 at 02:57:27 PM
Joined: 03/23/2007
Posts: 97
Reply

What I did with an Eagle chassis was moved the bottom seat bar forward. Since the tubes that the bottom seat bar is welded to slope downward towards the rear motorplate, it would lower your seat as well as not interfere with the torque tube hitting. At least we never had a problem with it.


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FASSTER23
September 09, 2010 at 03:24:11 PM
Joined: 09/01/2010
Posts: 111
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: jwerkman on September 09 2010 at 02:25:12 PM

call rosey at roseys raceland




I called Rosys. Nice people. They didn't have any used stuff. He did say he could order me a new Tall Cage Eagle. Thanks for the help.

sprint76
September 09, 2010 at 04:19:50 PM
Joined: 12/02/2004
Posts: 5
Reply

Fasster23.........My son is 6'5 and we have a '09 maxim with the 2" taller cage in the rear and the SKR options. He fits in it real nice. Our experience with lowering seat bars..........when the car wings over the seat will ride on the tourqe tube and not let the chassis do its thing. Hope this helps.



darbo42
September 09, 2010 at 05:24:25 PM
Joined: 12/04/2004
Posts: 932
Reply

You can also contact Bob Ream in Phoenix. I understand that when he first sat in a sprinter his head stuck above the cage. He could probably help with some advice.


My wife told me if I went to one more Sprint Car race 
she would leave me.................I'm sure gonna miss 
that ol' gal. 


StanM
MyResults MyPressRelease
September 09, 2010 at 05:29:37 PM
Joined: 11/07/2006
Posts: 5548
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Jake B. on September 09 2010 at 01:58:39 PM

See if you can find a way to contact Dale Blaney. He's probably had to deal with many of these same issues for his entire driving career. Sorry, don't have any contact info.



One of our Modified drivers who wants to get into the UMSS 360 series took it a step further and bought a former Dale Blaney car. They bought it from somebody in Ohio but my understanding was that it was purchased from a third party but it was a former Blaney car. The UMSS is a value based series operating out of the Twin Cities area of Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Their rules and the short tracks they race on provide a great outlet for getting a second life out of used equipment.


Stan Meissner

sprinter25
September 09, 2010 at 05:32:59 PM
Joined: 11/30/2004
Posts: 1973
Reply

Oy you could call a major chassis maufacturer for advice; I'm sure that Maxim and Eagle can make the appropriate recomendations that will fill your needs. A tall, big boy Maxim sounds like what you need - but I'd talk to them first!


Chuck.....

FASSTER23
September 09, 2010 at 06:19:06 PM
Joined: 09/01/2010
Posts: 111
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: sprinter25 on September 09 2010 at 05:32:59 PM

Oy you could call a major chassis maufacturer for advice; I'm sure that Maxim and Eagle can make the appropriate recomendations that will fill your needs. A tall, big boy Maxim sounds like what you need - but I'd talk to them first!



I had spoken with Mr. Merritt a while back about this. Very nice man. He told me about the new options they had at the time. He is running a business and I understand he would rather me buy a new car but the finances aren't quite there right now. I do plan on calling Eagle and Maxim this winter. I was just wondering what others may have experienced.




5CCR
September 09, 2010 at 06:23:39 PM
Joined: 07/07/2010
Posts: 57
Reply
Do you know it was the newer model Eagle you sat in? They just recently started making the rear of the cage 2" taller as a standard. Call Eagle and ask for Brad. He'll take care of your. Great car.

FASSTER23
September 09, 2010 at 06:31:44 PM
Joined: 09/01/2010
Posts: 111
Reply
This message was edited on September 09, 2010 at 06:48:23 PM by FASSTER23
Reply to:
Posted By: sprint76 on September 09 2010 at 04:19:50 PM

Fasster23.........My son is 6'5 and we have a '09 maxim with the 2" taller cage in the rear and the SKR options. He fits in it real nice. Our experience with lowering seat bars..........when the car wings over the seat will ride on the tourqe tube and not let the chassis do its thing. Hope this helps.



I'm not familiar with the SKR option. I see it as a choice on the build sheets but no description or explanation. Is the seat moved towards the rear of the car at all? Being 6' 5" I would think his knees would be smashed against the steering box? I know they offer the Big Boy option. Is this part of what you have?




FASSTER23
September 09, 2010 at 06:34:12 PM
Joined: 09/01/2010
Posts: 111
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: 5CCR on September 09 2010 at 06:23:39 PM
Do you know it was the newer model Eagle you sat in? They just recently started making the rear of the cage 2" taller as a standard. Call Eagle and ask for Brad. He'll take care of your. Great car.


I'm not for sure but would guess it to be an 07? I plan on calling both Maxim and Eagle to see what they suggest. Thanks




gentleman
September 09, 2010 at 07:03:27 PM
Joined: 05/16/2008
Posts: 89
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: FASSTER23 on September 09 2010 at 01:52:10 PM

I know Maxim and others build "tall cage" and "big boy" cars. My question is what is my best choice? I am tall and skinny. 6' 4" 200 pounds. I have sat in an Eagle and a Maxim. Both were to small. My head would have been flush with the top of the cage with a helmet on. My knees are in the steering box. Obviously there are MANY more standard size cars than tall cage style cars so, I am curious rather I can modify a standard car to work for me? I would rather not alter the cage. Some talk about moving the seat bar for extra room but, then mention the chance of the rear end hitting my rear end. Needless to say I'm not real keen to that idea. Any advice you can give or experiences you might have had would be appreciated.



Ron Trevis @Treviscraft can build what you need,as can John and Tony [email protected] have years and years building cars for very tall drivers. Nice people,also. John S.



turn5
MyWebsite
September 09, 2010 at 08:19:18 PM
Joined: 07/29/2008
Posts: 67
Reply

Jack Dover is almost 6'5". He has always ran Eagle chassis, and had plenty of head room. Eagle Chassis customs builds Jack chassis. He is currently in the 2011 model and LOVES IT.

 

Jack also drives for Gary Swenson, Schnee chassis also custom built a chassis to fit Jack as well.

 

Im sure almost any chassis builder will build what you want, or try buying used from a tall guy.

Some tall guys

Jack Dover

Zack Chappel

Eric Baldacinni

Dave and Dale Blaney

 



FASSTER23
September 09, 2010 at 08:43:51 PM
Joined: 09/01/2010
Posts: 111
Reply

My problem is that I'm just starting out in Sprint Car racing and don't have the finances to purchase a new car right now unfortunately.




turn5
MyWebsite
September 09, 2010 at 09:35:54 PM
Joined: 07/29/2008
Posts: 67
Reply

I totally understand. Wish we could help, as normally this time of year, we would have an extra used chassis or 2 we could sell...but we have had a pretty rough year, as far as equip. goes. I will ask Jack though. Thanks



racrguy
September 09, 2010 at 09:59:23 PM
Joined: 03/26/2009
Posts: 96
Reply

I'm 6'5 and what I've had to do for standard cars is move the bottom of the seat forward on the standard seat bar, that moves your hips forward a bit and your head down. Yes, my knees do touch the steering gear, but a good set of knee guards will keep anything from happening to them in my experience. I flipped mine in July and I was fine. I've got the seat all the way down on the bar, with 2" blocks under my feet to help with ankle angles and comfort. Ideally you would order the largest cage you can get, but I know how the finance thing is. Message me if you have any questions.





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