roll cage options

[daveac]

Hi guys,

busy building my 1600 sport for which I've got a standard non-RAC chrome hoop (I won't call it a roll-bar because reading all the posts on here, I think that would be over-selling it a bit!) plus all the weather gear and windscreen.  Reading the forums though, I'm starting to worry that even with my measely 1600 for non-track use, I should have opted for a RAC hoop or full gage.  Plus, as I make my living putting people back together who get scraped off the roads, I'd rather not end up as a customer myself!

I'm not too worried about losing the hood although it'll be a shame not to have the option (it's still wrapped up so I suppose the factory may refund on that.  I'd like to keep the side-screens and windscreen though if poss otherwise SWMBO will never come out in it

So, what are my options, what would you all recommend?  And ultimately, am I actually being a bit too paranoid considering I won't be on a track (although I think I know the answer to that already).

Thanks

Dave

[Mobsy]

Full roll cage without a shadow of doubt.

The first season we could have them fitted I was talking to a fellow competitor and he gave me some good advice. Don't think of the roll bar at protection when rolling the car just think what would happen if you managed to go under someone.

More likely on the road than the track I reckon, back of a lorry, motorbike etc. Just imagine a motorcyclist drifting onto your side of the road round a bend, without a full cage the first point of contact after the nosecone is your face.

[nikpro]

Dave,

it depends how far you take the safety aspect 'thing'!

If you are just using the car on the road then I personally would say the roll hoop is fine - how many times have you rolled a car on the public roads?

Yes it can happen and if it does you are likely to be squashed so this is the question you have to ask yourself!

Aesthetically some prefer the look of the RAC bar with the rear stays and you can still fit the hood and screens with this option; the frame needs a slight modification to do so but is very simple.

A full cage is overkill for road use IMO and you would loose the weather protection.

[nikpro]

Full roll cage without a shadow of doubt.

The first season we could have them fitted I was talking to a fellow competitor and he gave me some good advice. Don't think of the roll bar at protection when rolling the car just think what would happen if you managed to go under someone.

More likely on the road than the track I reckon, back of a lorry, motorbike etc. Just imagine a motorcyclist drifting onto your side of the road round a bend, without a full cage the first point of contact after the nosecone is your face.

Complete overkill for road use only - don't live life on 'what ifs'.

Mobsy; I take it you wear arm restraints, flame proof overalls and a Hans device to drive to the shops because of 'what if'?

Every accident I can recall on here on a public road in a Westfield where the driver survived didn't have a full cage fitted.

[Rory's Dad]

Just imagine a motorcyclist drifting onto your side of the road round a bend, without a full cage the first point of contact after the nosecone is your face.

You're in the lap of the gods here.  The Ducati that hit me grazed the front wheel and took the rear wheel clean off.  If he'd hit the front wheel I would have had it all in my face      

Rory's Dad

[daveac]

I'm inclined to agree on the bike front - don't think there are many tin tops that will necessary protect the occupents if a couple of hundred kgs of bike closing at 140mph hits just the wrong way.  I can see what you're saying, Mobsy, about going under a truck etc - you're more likely to go under than a tin-top and can't roll off and under like a biker.  Hmm, food for thought.  Any other opinions?

[johnq]

buy some cotton wool

[pistonbroke]

More likely for a slate to fall off the roof and land on your head , so dont forget to wear the crash hat when you put the milk bottles out tonight  

[Martin Keene]

Dave,

it depends how far you take the safety aspect 'thing'!

If you are just using the car on the road then I personally would say the roll hoop is fine - how many times have you rolled a car on the public roads?

Yes it can happen and if it does you are likely to be squashed so this is the question you have to ask yourself!

Aesthetically some prefer the look of the RAC bar with the rear stays and you can still fit the hood and screens with this option; the frame needs a slight modification to do so but is very simple.

A full cage is overkill for road use IMO and you would loose the weather protection.

Sound advice.

For a mainly road car a cage is over kill.

Yes the safety is gratly improved, but they  don't make getting in and out of car any easier.

But, if your still building, please fit an RAC bar...

[markcoopers]

I have never stopped to ask the factory, so i am probably talking from emotion rather than fact, but i find it hard to recomend a standard bar in any situation.

The standard bar is i am sure fine, if it was not then i guess either public pressure or legal invertetion would of seen it changed by now. However for any track work i would say the RAC bar is the absolute minimim.....this is though my view and not a fact persay.

The argument for a full cage is harder to make on a purely road car, but alot easier if more track work is considered. I have one and only do 2-3 track days a year max.

If the hood and the screens can be kept with a RAC bar, and you are building it now, i would find it hard not to recomend it. Personally the hood is a waste of cash, screens and a tonneau being fine.

Good luck

[tex]

i'm in the unfortunate position of rolling a se7en - luckily it landed on the wheels - if not we would of been dead no arguement about that - we were doing just 50 mph - but its not the roll that is the worrying thing -its what you hit at speed - if your driving any car - just look out the side window and see how fast you go past something stationary - like a dog... a deer... a horse.. with the roll cage it gives a modecum of safety - we hit a deer - thank the gods it didnt come onto the screen - it would of decapitated us instantly. with the car being low - small and lightweight it is much more affected in an impact than a normal car - first thing i fitted on the new car - full cage. you only get one head

yea the drawbacks are no weather gear - im not sure in the screen still fits with the cage on (you will need wipers if going this route)

the posts saying what if what ifs - well i used to say that - then it did.. not worth the risk for a run out - chances are you will have more chance on the public road to hit something than on a track - if you do it will not be something like tyre barriers, gravel.. usually kerbs, walls, cars etc..

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

My advice would be to not weasr a seat belt - then jump out immediately as you start to roll  

[Mark Stanton]

QUOTE

The standard bar is i am sure fine, if it was not then i guess either public pressure or legal invertetion would of seen it changed by now.

I would disagree with that Mr J     the standard bar is more of a cosmetic item and would go for an RAC spec roll-bar for road and track use as a minimum.

Even with the RAC roll-bar - on many times now various club members and committee have spoken at great length with the factory team about providing a better alternative that suits a taller drivers and fully complies with the MSA blue book for track / competition use - despite a number of conversations for nearly 2 years they have yet to do anything about it - so we are either left with putting up with what's available or seeking alternative suppliers        

Whilst I fully appreciate the current legislation for emissions compliance and reducing Co2's - I would consider driver safety issues as equally important      

[markcoopers]

True enought Mark, I was just being er....cautious with words. Afterall i have a full cage and ware a helmet, even if out for a few mins.

[BigDaveUK]

My car is track only now, but for the short time i had it on the road i did think about how easy it would be to go under a lorry or even big 4x4 and as said above, after the nosecone, next point of contact is your face. helmet or not thats going to do some damage.

Another thing to consider, that i read on here a while ago is if you`re toodling down a country lane, and theres a horse round a blind bend, you hit it, where is it going to land? on your head, more than likely.

I know its all what-ifs. but things do happen. Up to the individual on what they feel comfortable with at the end of the day isnt it?