I believe that moving the cockpit top side bars to the middle of the car will weaken the structure quite a bit and wouldn’t do it if any track time is contemplated. I never had the chance to use FEA on any of the frames I designed but did make 1/5th scale models out of welding rod and from that experience I think you would lose a lot of strength.

Of course I may be wrong and would love to see the SolidWorks results.

Bill Lomenick