Just curious, what would you guys recommend?

I've seen a couple different types and cannot make up my mind.

Jaz makes U shaped stuff that is SFI approved but is only 1/2" thick.

Simpson bead-all also u-shaped looks thicker than the Jaz

Summit U shaped that attaches with Velcro - available in 1/2", 3/4" and 1" thick.

It has to be black, look decent, and hold up well . . .

I personally would go for the thickest and Summit sells the cheapest. It hurts when you're slammed against the bar.

I used black foam pipe insulation from the industrial supplier, $12 per 6 foot and had a Velcro black vinyl cover made for it to cover it. Have had alot of comments. Two pieces, one for the head, the other for the sidebar.

I use the run of the mill round foam type (comes in all different colors), it does not hold up all that well in the wear areas and I change it about once a year on the side bars. Some of the U shaped stuff is real hard so look out for that. Like Everett said it hurt when you hit it, so get something that will make the blow a little more pleasant. Since you want black the stuff Everett mentioned is a very nice cheap alternative, it looks good and is not too hard. I was thinking about switching to that and making blue covers for it.

I bought the u-shaped stuff from Summit but sent it back. I want to wrap the entire bar not just have a piece on one side. I then bought the regular stuff from them that has a 'coating'. I like it, it's inexpensive and I carved it a bit for a better fit around some of the cross bracing.

Thanks guys.

None of the round stuff that I'd seen was SFI approved. Does that matter?

I assumed you had to have the SFI approved stuff to be legal at the track.

if your car is only running 11's SFI does not matter....

yep, what he said. sfi padding is only required in advanced et (faster than 7.50), for full bodied cars. in fact, for cars that are not advanced et, the bar only needs padding where the drivers head may come in contact with it.

They are correct, I never had a problem getting through tech with the round padding. Never even a question about it.

I would get some padding and then git it wrapped and sewn with leather or pleather/vinyl. looks great!