This would be a freebie everyone could do.

Why do we not allow the inner metal supports of the hood to be cut out? Is it a safety thing?

Otherwise, probably be a good way to get 10lbs out from high up on the car.

Not sure why, but it is currently not allowed.

I'm assuming you're talking about the webbing on the underside of the hood...

#1: This class is supposed to be about driver vs driver, not tinkering with the cars. We don't want to end up like Spec Miata, with all of their drama and assorted nonsense. Win with driving skill, not with being clever with a wrench (or Sawzall).

#2: It can be a safety thing, because the hood crumpling will absorb some force in an impact. How much that actually matters is up for debate. I think it's pretty common knowledge that the hood is part of the front-end crumple zone in most cars though.

#3: It makes your hood dent or lose shape pretty easy. I did this on another car before I came to 944-Spec, and it didn't take much to cave the entire hood in. It's a large surface area of thin, unsupported, sheet metal.

Yes not legal and never has been.


I have hassled Jim Foxx over this on the red 12 car. He had this done when running in the car in SCCA and we had to get him straight for NASA.

In general weight reduction does not involved metal cutting. There are some exceptions clearly stated, but the idea is to run the cars at 2600lbs taking out all the unneeded stuff.

Once you start cutting sheet metal you need to carefully determine what is "too much" and is becoming structural.

So to keep things equal hood stay stock.