[jmillet]

Originally Posted by jragan

As stated in my PM response to you, go with the Porsche clubs as they usually have better instructors and they allow convertibles. Any BMWCCA sanctioned group will not allow any kind of drop-top auto.

Here's what the BMW CCA Operations Manual has to say about "Convertibles":

2.8.7
Convertibles. are not allowed to participate in sessions driven at speed without a roll bar and 5- or 6-point harnesses. Arm restraints are strongly recommended. The use of a roll bar meeting the minimum requirements described in Appendix B is strongly recommended. Cars with factory installed, fixed rollover protection (targas, t-tops, etc.) are a chapter decision. Cars equipped only with factory pop-up posts are not allowed. Exclusion of convertibles is also a chapter option. Convertibles are defined as cars with retractable tops, whether soft-top or folding hard-top.
Removable roof sections include targa tops and T-tops. These are characterized by part of a fixed body structure above the passenger compartment.
2.8.7.1
Convertibles are not allowed to participate in sessions driven at-speed unless the car is equipped with the following minimum requirements:
a.
A rollbar or roll cage meeting the requirements of Appendix B; and
b.
5 or 6 point harnesses for both driver and instructor.
2.8.7.2
At the discretion of the Chapter, cars with factory-installed fixed rollover protection or removable roof sections may be allowed, but only if this protection meets the Helmet Reference Plane described in Figure 1 in Appendix B for both the driver and passenger.
2.8.7.3
Cars equipped only with factory pop-up posts or similarly activated rollover protection are not allowed.
2.8.7.4
Chapters may elect to exclude convertibles or cars with removable roof sections entirely from sessions driven at-speed regardless of rollbar or fixed rollover protection, or any provision of this Section 2.8.7.

It's a chapter decision as to whether cars with factory-installed fixed rollover protection are allowed to participate in HPDS events. The Puget Sound Chapter has chosen to exclude all convertibles regardless of rollover protection.