double-hoop ROPS?

[feef]

I've had conflicting comments regarding this query..

I've currently got a double-hoop 'style' bar on my MX5. It's more robust than the wobbly things that are attached with a couple of screws, as it mounts on the seatbelt towers, but it's still not a proper roll bar.

IF I was to get a proper ROPS for competition use, are there any MSA approved double-hoop ROPS? One scrute I spoke to said that "there are no FIA approved double hoops", but the MSA regs don't mention hoop structure, only material strength and overall dimensions/clearances.


So, anyone know if there's a supplier of double-hoop ROPS that could be used in MSA competitive events?

[Graham]

nothing in the blue book that would suggest a legal double hoop cage can be built to msa spec, but then there are a few cars running a single hoop cage over just the driver.

maybe talk to someone like rollcenter but i suspect the answer maybe no or yes but very expensive, as rather than building one to spec you may have to get it certified

[feef]

I suspect the latter.. expensive...

I don't 'need' it for the roadgoing class I'll be competing in, but I'd like to get decent ROPS just as a matter of safety.. I just prefer the look of the double-hoop.

Some more pondering is required methinks

[Graham]

The general msa cage specs are here, with drawings


https://www.msauk.org/assets/153191commonregulatio...

if your competing the only consideration should be safely ;-)

[feef]

Graham said:

The general msa cage specs are here, with drawings


https://www.msauk.org/assets/153191commonregulatio...

if your competing the only consideration should be safely ;-)

I agree.. however, competition is the car's secondary purpose, it's still used as a DD and I'll be doing a trip to France with my 4yr old in it in July, so I DO want to keep it looking good rather than becoming a dedicated racer. I know I'm trying to have my cake and eat it :P

[Graham]

I put a rollcenter roll bar in the back of my chimaera road car. I used to track it a bit, and the odd spirited drive so wanted a proper roll bar, that would give me some protection without ttting me on the head :-)

looks ok doesnt effect the car as a DD and would work properly..

[feef]

Graham said:

I put a rollcenter roll bar in the back of my chimaera road car. I used to track it a bit, and the odd spirited drive so wanted a proper roll bar, that would give me some protection without ttting me on the head :-)

looks ok doesnt effect the car as a DD and would work properly..

But would it be accepted by the MSA and does it have certification? I can GET double hoops ROPS easily enough, it's finding ones that would be accepted for competition that is the sticking point.

I might pop round to the Rollcentre and ask, they're only half an hour from me.

[Graham]

Not for circuit work on a Chimaera as iirc over 2 ltr you need a full cage. but it is built to the specs in the blue book, so similar for a sub 2 ltr car would be legal.

you have 2 options when buying / building a cage


1) build the cage to the standards set out in the link i posted ( there is no requirement to have this certified)

2) build a cage anyway you want but you have to have this certified individually which costs ££££


The above it valid for MSA governed events FIA governed events may require FIA certification.

[papahet]

feef said:

I agree.. however, competition is the car's secondary purpose, it's still used as a DD and I'll be doing a trip to France with my 4yr old in it in July, so I DO want to keep it looking good rather than becoming a dedicated racer. I know I'm trying to have my cake and eat it :P

As someone that has built and competed in 3 MX5's...you have a lot of cake stuck around your mouth.

The problem with an MX5 is getting yourself well inside any ROPS you fit. Most off the shelf solutions are made to go under a soft top and are badly compromised in mounting, height and width. If you have stock seats your helmet will be clear of any ROPS that fits inside the roof and your shoulder will stick out of the side.

If you are competing in events where ROPS is an issue then it is time to decide if you want a competition car or a road car.

[feef]

papahet said:

feef said:

I agree.. however, competition is the car's secondary purpose, it's still used as a DD and I'll be doing a trip to France with my 4yr old in it in July, so I DO want to keep it looking good rather than becoming a dedicated racer. I know I'm trying to have my cake and eat it :P

As someone that has built and competed in 3 MX5's...you have a lot of cake stuck around your mouth.

The problem with an MX5 is getting yourself well inside any ROPS you fit. Most off the shelf solutions are made to go under a soft top and are badly compromised in mounting, height and width. If you have stock seats your helmet will be clear of any ROPS that fits inside the roof and your shoulder will stick out of the side.

If you are competing in events where ROPS is an issue then it is time to decide if you want a competition car or a road car.

ROPS are not required in the classes I'll be competing in, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't want to make the car a bit safer. If I was going down the route of full on, competition only car, then I wouldn't care how it looked, it'd be full on ROPS and that's that.

[binnerboy]

I sprint in an MX5. the class I run in doesn't require ROPS how ever I have had a trlane GPV bar installed.

A mate has had a TRLane TD bar which i think exceeds the MSA specs. Neither are single hoops both still allow the soft top to go up and down.

Another alternative is get a hardtop for competition, not sure if they have been tests for rollover protection though.

Having reread the OP I am not sure of the relevance of what I have written. If you are circuit racing then you will end with a very compromised road car I think.

read this thread it is of some relevance as it it someone dicussing a road legal race car

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by binnerboy on Thursday 4th June 16:54

Edited by binnerboy on Thursday 4th June 16:58

[feef]

Of the TRLane stuff, the one that's closest to what I'd like (in an ideal world) is the TT bar : http://www.trlanefabs.co.uk/home_22.html

I'm contemplating sprints and maybe hillclimb rather than circuit racing, and am looking at the roadgoing classes where, as you say, ROPS aren't mandatory, but it'd still be nice to have one without compromising the car as a DD.

[binnerboy]

Ok if it is sprinting then you have options.

1) TRLane TD bar
2) Suffolk mazda rollbar


there are others

try nutz or mx5oc for more info