The thing about roll cages is . . . . . any help welcome!

[Andy-Runner]

Hi all,

A friend who's a very talented welder/metal worker has offered to construct a full bolt in rollcage for my Rev 3 tubby track car.

I have absolutely no doubts over both the finish/strength of the finished product, however i just wondered whether roll cages used in non competitive track only cars has to conform to any regulations - if so where/what are they?

Didn't want to turn up in the car ready for a good day, only to be turned away over some regs!

Any help would be gratefully recieved - thanks in advance

Andy

[Quigonjay]

if it isnt for competition purposes, there are no regs

[racing23mr2]

you are gonna love trying to get car insurance

insurance companies frown on roll cages in road cars, dont tell them and you have no cover, do tell them and most will not cover you

you could use an insurance company that caters for track & rally cars but it will take some shopping around.

of course you might not insure the car it depends on its value

[Lauren]

Personally i would only go with an MSA approved cage, even if its only for trackdays.

Insewerance may have more of an issue with a non-MSA cage.

Also, even though your mate may be a good fabricator you don't want to end up in the scenario where you have a crash and one of your feet get crushed because he put one of the bars in technically the wrong place.

[Bender Unit]

HIC will insure cars with cages, my 86 is covered with them - also get track day cover thrown in!

[paul port]

Have you looked at / costed the ones already being built for the MR2 Challenge? Most of the hard work is already done, and if it's not 'for the challenge' then it should be slightly cheeper.

Paul

[cartledge_uk]

Have you looked at / costed the ones already being built for the MR2 Challenge? Most of the hard work is already done, and if it's not 'for the challenge' then it should be slightly cheeper.

Paul

I think rogue have some spangly new lighter weight mk2 cages that are the business. And reasonable cost to.

[tonigmr2]

A Plan insure rollcages no issues. They don't have to conform to any standards to insure them either.

If you are going the build your own route do look at a few, it's easy to end up with a horrible cage (I've seen some horrors!).
T

[Andy-Runner]

Wow, thanks for all the input folks - sorry for the delayed response, however i have been in London all weekend (check my username for a clue )

I'm still working through all the ins and outs at the moment, however i don't have to worry about insuring the car for the road as we intend trailering it to the various events. I can appreciate the home made cage scenario and all the associated problems with them. I have also been in contact with Patrick at Rogue regarding their cages (around £500 + VAT) which could also be a good option.

The good news is the engine and turbo is putting out good power quite easily/reliably, and the car should be ready for her first outing at the begining of June - just looking around for a suitable venue (i.e. low key and not too busy!)

Thanks again anyway!

Andy

[tonigmr2]

LOL did a bit of jogging in London Sunday did we?

T

[jonb-]

I've done a fair few trackdays and have only once seen an event where a rollcage was needed (rented toyota yaris on it's roof.)

Lauren will either back me up / correct me but in my experience a roll cage is overkill for just trackdays.

[skinthespin]

says you with a plumbed in fire extinguisher.......

[jonb-]

I'm slowly bringing my car to MSA regs so if I desire to compete in it i can.

[Mikejc]

I've done a fair few trackdays and have only once seen an event where a rollcage was needed (rented toyota yaris on it's roof.)

Lauren will either back me up / correct me but in my experience a roll cage is overkill for just trackdays.

I agree with you Jon to be honest, although safety can't be over looked no matter how often you track a car. I guess it only takes rolling the car just that once

I can't believe just how much better the car handles since fitting the cage. Something that hasn't been mentioned as yet and personally the main reason that I decided to fit one

MikeJC

[Lauren]

I've done a fair few trackdays and have only once seen an event where a rollcage was needed (rented toyota yaris on it's roof.)

Lauren will either back me up / correct me but in my experience a roll cage is overkill for just trackdays.

Well rollcages aren't generally necessary for trackdays. Racing is another matter of course.

I've been at perhaps 300+ trackdays and have seen 5 cars roll in that time (one of which was right in front of me). None of the cars had rollcages and all passengers were okay (1 went to hospital but it was a westnail with only a barely adequate roll-over bar).

If i was building a trackcar i'd put in a rollcage as much to stiffen the chassis as for the safety aspect.

[skinthespin]

Jon, I think youve lost your sense of humour!

[jonb-]

When did I ever have one?

[Harry]

When did I ever have one?

[des0808]

I was part of a service crew 4 a rally car (group a cosworth) that had a alloy roll cage (passed by FIA ?) we were rallying in irland, driver miss heard co-driver (debate on this one) big accident. roll cage took 1 1/2 inch's of the driver's lower (right leg) out. i mean gone. the brob woz part of the cage went from left to right under the dash. guess where the impact woz. co-driver's side could of gone up down in our out, but no when't down. he woz in hospital 4 a long time. at 1 point signed a form 2 hav his leg cut off ???. by the way co-driver had a lot more prob's gulp.
get a proper cage ??????????? better 2 B safe then sorry
hope this little story help's

[Andy-Runner]

Eeeeeeeerrrrr......

Ok point taken - if we decide to go down the route of a cage, it'll be an approved article, no doubts!

Thanks to every one for all the help!

Very much appreciated

Andy