I have a Nashbar front rack that I was planning to install on a sidepull equipped bike using the P-clips but haven't done any trial fitting yet. Is the OP saying that you can't P-clip the rack directly to the fork because of clearance necessary for the brake, making the fabricated struts necessary? Shoot, my plan down in flames...
Well, this thread will be a useful reference when I get around to trying out that installation, which probably won't be until the winter at the earliest, since the bike is taken to bits and awaiting a complete stripping & repaint...
[ducks & runs]