SAFETY SPECIAL: Rollcages
What should people look for when they are going to buy a rollcage?
What is the most important bit of safety kit that a racer can have? Is it a crash helmet? A HANS device? Or fireproof overalls? It is hard to argue against any of them, but certainly a piece of equipment fitted to the machines themselves, the rollcage, is one of those items that is paramount in protecting the life of a competitor.
When a racer buys a brand new competition car, the rollcage is integral to the structure of the machine. It is a part of the car that is essential to the construction and one that the rest of the ancillaries can be built around.
For the national competitor, the demands might be slightly different. It could be that they are building their own car or reconditioning one to take on to the stages or circuits, and so it is an area that clubmen need to know about.
It is an eye-opener that rollcages can be bought already used. Dan Mayo, the boss of motorsport preparations firm MMS Technik, is a trained rollcage installer and has been involved with a number of projects for both the race
track and the rally stage. He explains: “You can buy pre-owned cages, but this is an area you have to be very careful of if you decide to go down this route.
“You need to do your research, and never buy anything unseen. Sure, it will save you a couple of hundred quid, and that is obviously going to be at the forefront of your mind if you are operating on a tight budget, but there is a risk involved. But you need to make sure of the quality of what you are purchasing. Never buy a cage until you have laid eyes on it – you could be putting yourself in danger.”
Mayo estimates that a second-hand cage could cost around £200, whereas a racer could spend north of £500 for a brand new piece of equipment.
“You need to make sure that it hasn’t already been damaged in some way, and a photograph on an auction website isn’t going to give you that detail,” says Mayo. “It is going to be worth your time to double check that it is exactly what you want.”
Even if a competitor chooses to go with a brand new cage, there are other considerations to take into account. There are various materials that are used in the manufacture of rollcages, and this can also affect the price.
“You have got CDS – cold-drawn steel – which is the minimum requirement for Motorsport UK when it comes to what you can use,” says Mayo. “You can get
T45 ones as well, which are made from a lighter weight steel, which is better – you are getting the same cage but for less weight.”
Another area that it is worth swotting up on before you buy any piece of kit is the regulations for any particular series.
It sounds obvious, but scrutineers will often tell stories of cars which are presented for technical checks without some of the most basic elements that are written down in black and white.
There have also been cases where cars have been excluded from events for having too many parts bolted on to a rollcage. While the driver might have implemented those changes himself for what he or she feels is extra protection and with the best of intentions, if it is against the regulations a car will be kicked out and not allowed to compete.
“Depending on regulations, there may only be a certain amount of points fitted in your rollcage – six-point, 10-point,etc,” explains Mayo. “Also, cross-diagonal bars and roof diagonals are becoming mandatory for certain types of rally cars. You don’t need a roof diagonal bar in circuit racing yet, but it probably won’t be long before you do. You need to keep up to date with the rules and ask Motorsport UK for advice if you are unsure.”
There are two types of rollcage. A boltin version will come with fixing points to the floorpan of the car itself, while a more integral cage will have up to 10 mounting points on the vehicle to further strengthen the car and that, in turn, will add some rigidity to the chassis.
While there is no need to get an authorised rollcage fitter to fit the cage – it is something that can be done by any individual – there are other requirements that a competitor needs to take into account.
So long as the rollcage passes scrutineering it is fine, but there are areas that some might fall foul of. “There is a minimum standard of welding that is expected,” explains Mayo. “If a competitor isn’t confident in this area, try and find someone who has had a bit of
experience before. If you go to an engineering shop that is very good at making gates or railings, they will not have the experience of getting a rollcage up to standard.”
“For some of the points you have to get to to weld, you need to be like an octopus to get there. You need some supple hands to get to the awkward bits. If you can weld in a one inch square environment and upside down, then you will get there! But ask an expert.”
There is one piece of advice that any expert will tell you when it comes to fitting a rollcage, and it is something that is inescapable, no matter what the budget is that a competitor is working with.
Mayo concludes: “I would recommend spending a bit more money and go for a new cage and a proper fitment even it if does end up being a significant part of your outlay. Remember, this is about your safety.”