Roll Cage
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: Fort Collins, CO
Do you want a full cage, or just the roll bar?
I think if you're serious enough to want a cage then you probably wouldn't want the compromises a bolt-in system makes vs. a welded cage.
I have been kinda looking into roll-bar systems and there are some of those out there. My concern is how liveable it will be on the street. Getting in a wreck without a helmet on and slamming your head into a roll bar would be very unpleasant!
Looking at some of the reg's for the motorsports organizations I have not seen a specification on how close to the seat the roll bar needs to be; it makes me wonder whether a roll bar couldn't be put far enough back in the car so that it is less dangerous and interfering onthe street, but still effective on the track.
I think if you're serious enough to want a cage then you probably wouldn't want the compromises a bolt-in system makes vs. a welded cage.
I have been kinda looking into roll-bar systems and there are some of those out there. My concern is how liveable it will be on the street. Getting in a wreck without a helmet on and slamming your head into a roll bar would be very unpleasant!
Looking at some of the reg's for the motorsports organizations I have not seen a specification on how close to the seat the roll bar needs to be; it makes me wonder whether a roll bar couldn't be put far enough back in the car so that it is less dangerous and interfering onthe street, but still effective on the track.
1st Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: West Chester, PA
For the best fit and the bolt in ability for the MINI check out http://www.VACmotorsports.com. They're a national sponsor to the MINI/BMWCCA race series. Tony Salloum and his brother are the owners and are really good guys. They know their stuff and the MINI bar is a well made piece. As for being afraid of what may happen in an accident, ALL racing sanctions require rollcages to be padded. Please realize that this does compromise headroom. Check out the VAC cage... great welds, excellent fit... JOE
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Redstone Canyon, near Masonville
Are Bolt In cages not a requirement in some SCCA classes?
We do cages and tube chassis', mostly for off road stuff, but I have been eyeing my Mini for a cage. I think one needs to know exactly what your sanctioning body is going to require before you start with a cage. Some classes in NASA sanctioned events need to keep all the interior in place, rear sets included. This compromises the cage design somewhat.
2point, 4point, six point, bracing, door bars, tube dia and wall thickness, or is the cage for the street (and more for bling, bling than performance)?
I have seen a bolt in cage, that meets the requirements for the Mini class, in the mini mania catalog.
We do cages and tube chassis', mostly for off road stuff, but I have been eyeing my Mini for a cage. I think one needs to know exactly what your sanctioning body is going to require before you start with a cage. Some classes in NASA sanctioned events need to keep all the interior in place, rear sets included. This compromises the cage design somewhat.
2point, 4point, six point, bracing, door bars, tube dia and wall thickness, or is the cage for the street (and more for bling, bling than performance)?
I have seen a bolt in cage, that meets the requirements for the Mini class, in the mini mania catalog.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Redstone Canyon, near Masonville
OK, found some info in the Aug 2003 Sportscar magazine, issued by the SCCA. In the Fastrack section relating to rules and changes, there is a section on cages for SCCA competition.
Some basic points
Must be constructed of ERW, DOM or chromoly.
Main hoop must one piece, no joints.
Must have braces, two recommended.
Gussets for all joints
Driver's head cannot be above the level of the top of the hoop.
In closed roof cars, hoop is to be as close to roof as possible.
Hoop must be 6" behind the driver's head, not more.
If 2 drivers share the car, the 6" applies to the tallest, but both must meet the requirement of "head below hoop"
For vehicles over 1500lbs - tube recommended is 1.5" OD, .120 wall or 1.75"OD with .95 wall
Cage must have an inspection hole to verify thickness.
Cages may be painted
Also describes both bolt in and weld in attachment points.
I intend building a cage for my Mini when the rock cralwing season slows down, probably Nov/Dec. Will probably build 1.75" DOM, main hoop, two rear braces, at least one diagnal, probably two. Will use .095 wall. Tube bender is a JD2 Model 4 with 5.5" radius dies.
Can anyone provide any info regarding which classes require "bolt-in" cages, usually requiring the interior to be left intact. And which classes allow weld in cages, and what are the rules regarding interior then?
One factor I will be paying attention to is to maintain daily driver usability while adding as much structural stiffness as possible.
Anyone modelled a Cooper S into CAD or similar?
Some basic points
Must be constructed of ERW, DOM or chromoly.
Main hoop must one piece, no joints.
Must have braces, two recommended.
Gussets for all joints
Driver's head cannot be above the level of the top of the hoop.
In closed roof cars, hoop is to be as close to roof as possible.
Hoop must be 6" behind the driver's head, not more.
If 2 drivers share the car, the 6" applies to the tallest, but both must meet the requirement of "head below hoop"
For vehicles over 1500lbs - tube recommended is 1.5" OD, .120 wall or 1.75"OD with .95 wall
Cage must have an inspection hole to verify thickness.
Cages may be painted
Also describes both bolt in and weld in attachment points.
I intend building a cage for my Mini when the rock cralwing season slows down, probably Nov/Dec. Will probably build 1.75" DOM, main hoop, two rear braces, at least one diagnal, probably two. Will use .095 wall. Tube bender is a JD2 Model 4 with 5.5" radius dies.
Can anyone provide any info regarding which classes require "bolt-in" cages, usually requiring the interior to be left intact. And which classes allow weld in cages, and what are the rules regarding interior then?
One factor I will be paying attention to is to maintain daily driver usability while adding as much structural stiffness as possible.
Anyone modelled a Cooper S into CAD or similar?
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Y>>Is anybody marketing a bolt-in roll cage for the MCS?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Gary
Yes, AutoPower makes a bolt-in roll cage. I just installed one in my 03 MCS which I have prepared to meet the MINI-Spec bmwcca race class.
Several race equipment companies distribute these cages.
I can post pictures of the installed cage when I get back to my office.
I will be entering my first road race on Sept 27th at "No Problem Raceway" in near baton rouge, La.
Paulo
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Gary
Yes, AutoPower makes a bolt-in roll cage. I just installed one in my 03 MCS which I have prepared to meet the MINI-Spec bmwcca race class.Several race equipment companies distribute these cages.
I can post pictures of the installed cage when I get back to my office.
I will be entering my first road race on Sept 27th at "No Problem Raceway" in near baton rouge, La.
Paulo
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2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
>>
Yes, AutoPower makes a bolt-in roll cage. I just installed one in my 03 MCS which I have prepared to meet the MINI-Spec bmwcca race class.>>Several race equipment companies distribute these cages..
>>Paulo
Thanks Paulo looks like a pretty interesting company. Here's the site I found, http://www.stable-energies.com/autopower/autopwr.html
Norm
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