Safer rollbar without losing hood

[jezmilligan]

After seeing some nasty photos of flattened Westies and reading how easily the standard rollbars collapse... Does anyone know of any safer rollbars that still allow the use of a hood?  I saw this photo on the motorsport-events website - looks like it's got extra struts attached?

http://www.motorsport-events.co.uk/at-work.jpg

.... I'll be expecting lots of stick from everyone who refuses to accept that a hood is a useful accessory.

Jez.

[peterg]

Well, personally I think the hood should only be used when the car is parked    but why don't you use the factory FIA/RAC braced rollbar? the hood can, with a little effort, be made to fit over this and used as per normal - several people have done usually this making up a frame to support the hood although I believe the standard factory frame can be adapted to do this.....have a search in the archives for a solution.  

[stu999]

I dont know for sure, but I am sure I have read elsewhere that the Westfield RAC type bar will fit under the standard hood, the rollbar becoming the support for the roof.

If not, you have a few options....

1)Have a custom bar made by one of the roll cage makers etc to the existing dimensions of your bar and to include the rear stays. Two points to note, for maximum protection, the bar wants to be well clear of your head, something that the standard bar more often than not isnt. And the bar braces may foul the hood frame.

2)Have a custom hood made for the RAC rollbar. This would be my prefered option if you really want a hood, and not as expensive as it sounds.

3)Fit the RAC bar and buy some M/C wet weather gear.

Sorry had to start the ribbing......

[Si Stocks]

As I bought my car built, so don't know whether I have a "standard" set up, but I have a braced roll bar (which I think was a factory FIA/RAC one) and the hood frame still works (though it scratched the roll bar on the rear surfaces before I put some protection on there).  

I dont know for sure, but I am sure I have read elsewhere that the Westfield RAC type bar will fit under the standard hood, the rollbar becoming the support for the roof.

And for reference, the hood fits the frame, rather than resting on the roll bar.

I have got a large piccie that shows the rear roll bar, but have no way to post it.  If you mail me at si_stocks@yahoo.co.uk then I'll send it back to you to have a look at if that would help.

Cheers

Si

[damianc]

I had mine built by Ian Jemison in York. It cost about £100 or so and the hood would still fit if I still had a windscreen and hadn't sold it along with the sidescreens ?!

[peterpeter]

Is it possible to have an Rac or reinforced rollover bar that is still in chrome???    (my westy looks so nice!!!!!