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Rollcage supplier


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Any recommendations for bespoke roll cage suppliers out there?

I have a small list derived from various sources, though why most of them seem to reside in Cambridgeshire beats me.

Someone in the Bucks/Oxon/Herts area would be handy.

Jerry

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http://www.ppcages.com/

 

Protection & Performance.

These guys specialise in military and expedition ROPS, but are perfectly happy doing a bespoke cage at a resonable price.

 

Did one for my GT40 replica.

JOhn

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What I need is a roll cage that doesn't look like a roll cage, so when I say "no luv, I'm not going to go racing again, that just a permanent hood frame for really windy weather" I might get away with for a few weeks at least !

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Jerry

You don't say what car the roll cage is for. If it's for a TR5 (clue in your Forum name?) there was a brand new Safety Devices cage for sale in the Sept 2013 TRaction, issue 269, Classified adverts at a good price. With a fairly restricted market for these items it might still be available. Worth a phone call.

Dave McD

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Hi Dave, no it's not for my 5.

I'm building up a lightweight Vincent Hurricane with an MX5 engine, so one off the shelf even for a Spitfire is unlikely to fit.

What diameter bar is required, I can't quite understand what Appendix K is referring to when it specifies "Mandatory tubular members 45 x 2.5 or 50 x 2.0

[or]

38 x 2.5 or 40 x 2.0 (For roll cages/bars approved prior to 1.1.95) ?

Does that mean the car has to date from prior to 95, or the date the bar was installed?

Thanks all for input so far.

http://vincenthurricane.org/Vincent_Hurricane_Register/Gallery/Gallery.html if you haven't seen one before.

 

Jerry

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Jerry,

Don't confuse "Appendix K", which is the FIA's regulations for Historic vehicle racing, which may include ROPS specs, but which wil exclude your Hurricane if it has an MX5 engine!

I think you mean "Section K" the part of the MSA Blue Book that deals with "Safety". And the answer lies in your question. The latter spec is "for roll cages/bars approved prior to 1.1.95". ROPS - the modern acronym for Roll Over Protection Systems - have been installed for far longer than that and the specs changed about then, but earlier assemblies were still allowed.

 

John

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John, yes I do mean Section K, just getting my nomenclature mixed up.

So, if one was to enter for something like the TR sprint & hillclimb championship (for the sake of argument) which specifes "Safety Requirements: In accordance with Section K of the current MSA Yearbook",

the roll bar would have to be constructed by a ROPS manufacturer and have a certificate issued ?

Seems a bit heavy handed. I assumed that I could make my own provided it conformed to the material specifications and design criteria, hence my query over the bar diameter.

Perhaps it'll just be a track day car after all.

Jerry

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Jerry,

 

I believe the rollover would have the same potential to kill you whether competing in a full race, sprint, hillclimb, track day or even on the public roads !

 

Mick Richards

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Hi Jerry,

 

I think you'll find it is still possible to construct your own roll over protection system, providing of course that it complies with the relevant MSA specifications - in contrast to seat belts, for example, which must be sourced from a recognised manufacturer thereof.

 

Simple answer is to ring the MSA for a chat, they are usually helpful enough.

 

If you do go down the diy route, common sense suggests that it might be wise to have a chat with a local scrutineer and to have him inspect the components of the ROPS before assembly, and to inspect the assembly during and on completion of construction. That could save any future queries . . . .

Cheers

 

Alec

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Jerry,

 

I believe the rollover would have the same potential to kill you whether competing in a full race, sprint, hillclimb, track day or even on the public roads !

 

Mick Richards

Agreed.

Ever since I rolled my Herald convertible I've always fitted some sort of roll protection.

It just goes against the grain to be forced into buying a product that will cost twice as much as the rest of the vehicle !

Jerry

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if the vehicle costs less than a cage? do you really want to drive it ?

 

on a positive note i have had a cage built by one of the cambridge area based companies to my requirements with full fia spec .Ok over the top for road use but ultimate safety was the requirement.

cost about the same as an of the shelf cage.

And Jerry the cage is to save you not the car. <_<

ROY

Edited by roy53
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  • 2 weeks later...

Well I failed to contact the MSA by phone (nice idea Alec), still waiting a response to email.

However, for anyone else in a similar situation I did find someone to bend up a bit of tube and can recommend his services: http://tube-bender.co.uk/ also advertises on ebay.

Very quick and from a rough sketch - all I have to do is weld it up.

Jerry

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If a manufacturer sells a ROPS, it "may" apply for a ROPS Certificate, which will cost them, but no doubt ensure the highest quality materials and workmanship, and promote sales. BUt you can still DiY, if you stick to the Section K specs.

John

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  • 3 weeks later...

http://www.customcages.co.uk/homepage

 

One of the more professional companies and very experienced with rally cars, particularly historics which are often older and less common models which have no established roll cage template, so need a one-off custom build. A bit far for you but sometimes you have to travel to get what you want. They can advise you and are au fait with the various ROPS regulations.

 

As long as the cage meets the specs and diagrams in the MSA Yearbook (Blue Book) it should not need certification in the UK unless the particular branch of motorsport you intend to compete in specifically demands it. The Revington 'Caged' full roll cage in my TR4 is not certified but when I enquired I was told a certificate was not needed. The car has been inspected by an MSA scrutineer and issued with an MSA Stage Rally Log Book and also holds a HRVIF. In five years of rallying in up to National A level special stage rallies I have never been asked for a ROPS certificate although the MSA log book is inspected by the scrutineers every time.

 

Nigel

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  • 4 weeks later...

so, I hear you ask, how did the rollbar go?

 

 

 

'Only' an extra 21kg to lug around but no doubt the MSA have had to deal with enough incidents to make the specification worthwhile.

Jerry.

Edited by jerrytr5
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  • 8 months later...

I'm looking at putting a bolt in cage in my TR7 V8 FHC, It's not compulsory for the type of events I'm doing. Only want to go the bolt in route, maybe just thinking of a rear cage initially.

 

Any suggestions?

 

The idea is that It will have a harness bar on it as I want to put some proper belts and seats in as well. Been looking at other options to fit just a harness bar or the like to fit some Full harness belts.

 

A cage seems a bit OTT but the car is edging towards something that can be used on the odd smooth tarmac stage rally, still not really sure I want to get back on that slippery slope though :unsure:

 

Ray

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See the MSA Yearbook Section K Safety for materials specs and all other details of approved ROPS designs. Its online on the MSA website www.msa.org

 

Harness bar at Para K 1.3.9

 

John

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