2021-01-02 - Window net mounting

Q.
Due to a recent statement made by one of the tech staff on the Champcar forum regarding window net mount locations, I would like to clarify what is and is not legal.

We have run our window net mounted at the top, and then latched to the rollcage at the bottom for 3 seasons and passed tech with no problems each season. The below is the BCCR section regarding window nets.

"3.5.1. All competition cars must have an SFI-approved window net
mounted to the cage of the car only. All window nets must
cover the window opening such that a driver’s hand or arm
cannot extend outside the vertical plane between the a- and
b-pillars, or (for open cars) the a-pillar and the main hoop of
the roll cage while the driver is seated and belted in-place.
Cars with nets that have extensive openings, as defined
solely by ChampCar officials, will NOT be allowed on track.
3.5.1.1. All window nets shall meet SFI or FIA specifications. The
certification indicated by an SFI label or FIA label must
be present, including a clear “Date of Manufacture”
label or, in the case of FIA labels, “Date of Expiration.”
SFI nets list a year of manufacture, and ChampCar will
accept them until December 31st of the fourth year from
the year of manufacture. FIA nets expire on December
31st of the year of expiration sewn into net. Any attempt
to modify the date(s) on any net are grounds for
immediate team disqualification, without recourse or
refund"

However, on 2/17/2020 on the Champcar forum Ray Franck stated:
"Whichever style latch you choose make sure the latch is at the top and the net drops down. As it will not pass tech if it is latched from the bottom."

I would like a confirmation as to whether top mounted and bottom latched nets are now illegal, in which case I believe this should be communicated club wide.

A.
Window safety nets shall be used on the driver’s side window of all closed wheeled cars. All window nets shall meet SFI Specification 27.1., and shall bear an “SFI Spec 27.1., Label” to that effect.
The window net shall be equipped with a quick-release device and when released it shall fall down, thus not having to be flipped up on the roof. Nets shall be attached to the roll cage; plastic buckles, cable ties, hose clamps, and elastic cords are not permitted. Holes in the roll cage to accommodate either support rod are unacceptable unless bushed and welded completely.