Roll Bars

[Piloti]

I understand that the "standard" roll bar was upgraded a few years ago, to a more substantial structure with larger guage tubing.

Is the FIA roll bar (which looks similar, with diagonal bracing and provision for a petty strut) still deemed necessary for circuit work, or has the upgraded standard roll bar been proven fit for purpose?

If I understand correctly, this car has the original standard roll bar:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1051505.htm

This car has the upgraded standard roll bar:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1031882.htm

and this one has the new style FIA bar:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1044061.htm

Thanks in advance...

[Shaun_E]

Given that your head will be above the height of the standard roll bar, I wouldn't bank on it doing an awful lot in a roll over situation!
If you want effective roll over protection then the FIA (or track day) bar is the minimum you need.

[Piloti]

Thanks Shaun - you make a good point, as I'd been thinking more of the integrity of the roll bar than its height. The FIA bar is, I presume, stronger laterally given the cross bracing. But is the FIA roll bar actually higher than the upgraded standard bar? It doesn't look it from the photos.

[Eric Mc]

The Seven Club themselves don't allow old style roll bar equipped cars on their Seven only track days.

I hadn't heard if they had a different atitude to the new style standard bars.

[fergus]

what you want a is a tall SLR roll cage

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/796777.htm

[Piloti]

That's a good looking cage, Fergus. And tall enough to make rolling the car onto its roof quite a challenge

I'm still confused, however, as to the choice between the FIA bar and the upgraded standard bar. CC reckon the FIA approval is attributable to the mounting point for a Petty strut, which I can't run in a road car...

[freerange7]

look at this

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562772000pZte...

[CanAm]

Piloti said:

That's a good looking cage, Fergus. And tall enough to make rolling the car onto its roof quite a challenge

I'm still confused, however, as to the choice between the FIA bar and the upgraded standard bar. CC reckon the FIA approval is attributable to the mounting point for a Petty strut, which I can't run in a road car...

I'm not quite sure what you're getting at. You can run the FIA bar in a road car (many owners do) and the Petty strut is easily removable; I've even seen someone carry a passenger with the Petty strut fitted. It was a tight fit, and I wouldn't have wanted to be the passenger, but..............

[Piloti]

Thanks freerange7 - your photos show clearly the difference between the previous generation FIA bar and the previous generation standard bar. Comparing the two, clearly the FIA bar is taller, more substantial and has better lateral strength due to the cross brace.

And thanks for your comments, CanAm. My interest, which I've had trouble expressing, is in a comparison between the most recent FIA bar and the most recent standard bar:

This car has the latest iteration of the S3 standard roll bar:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1031882.htm

and this one has the latest style S3 FIA bar:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1044061.htm

These two bars appear to be the same height, and they appear to be made of the same guage material. The main visible difference is that the FIA bar has two cross braces and provision for a Petty strut. I've no intention of running a Petty strut, but still wonder whether I should spend £550 to replace the standard bar with the FIA bar for the benefit of the cross bracing.

Does the cross bracing make the FIA bar much safer than the standard bar, or is the standard bar entirely adequate?

[CanAm]

The "Track Day roll bar" otherwise known as the FIA bar, only complies with FIA regs when the Petty Strut is fitted. There are two types, the older one with a single diagonal and the one fitted to the latest "metric" chassis which has X bracing.
From your other posting, I see you are looking for a second-hand car, hence your query. I don't think any objective scientific testing has been done to compare the "improved" standard bar with the FIA bar, which doesn't really help you. I would guess that slightly more cars have the FIA bar so if you are thinking of changing, it would be far cheaper to buy a car with one already fitted (of which there are plenty around) rather than paying to buy and fit one afterwards.
Mine has the FIA bar and I would have been reluctant to buy one without - it looks better too .

[Piloti]

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestion. Much appreciated.