roll cage

Fri Apr 13, 2012 4:50 pm

My 325i came to me with a roll cage already fitted. Unfortunately it hasn't been fitted very well so I'd like to re-do it. Which regulations do I have to follow if I want to race? How can I tell if the roll cage is up to scratch? I'm not sure who made it but it's a bolt in version with 6 mounting points and bolt on door bars. Could it be modified to strengthen the car?

Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:05 pm

have a look at MSA regs maybe. FIA will be too much for what you need.

Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:34 pm

Racing series for circuits are bound by the MSA - like the FA for football, of the motorsport scene the UK. Search their site for the 'blue book' which is the bible for all regulations including roll cages. Individual series may have their own additional recommendations,but the blue book is the minimum legal standard.

You should be able to download sections in PDF form. As for strengthening,the series I'm aiming to join has recommended extra lateral bars for strength so I've had them fitted.

Good luck!

Sat Apr 14, 2012 2:27 pm

Nice cage Miles. I'd like something similar but I want to keep my dashboard, or what's left of it. Looks expensive!

Sat Apr 14, 2012 3:56 pm

Where U based? I have got a.good mate who can do a t45 style cage which is weld in for good money. Its multi point so tagged to turrets front n rear as well to A n B pillars.

If U R going racing then go weld in I reckon.

Better safe than sorry plus it will help with car rigidity.

Or there are a few e30 shells on here you could get cheap n transfer bit across to save money. Mate of mine done that as handy with spanners so he had a race car for 3k ready to go

Sat Apr 14, 2012 5:39 pm

Be careful when modifying a 'certified' cage. If you alter the design of (say) a Safety Devices cage (even if this makes the cage stronger) the certification will no longer be valid. This is fine, as long as the construction of the cage complies in all ways to the spec's as laid out in the 'Blue Book', as correctly referenced above. Some do not, but are certified as the manufacturers have provided calcs to demonstrate that the construction is strong enough. ANY variation from the manufacturers design will invalidate the certification and will potentially fail scrutineering.
So, in a nutshell, check that your EXISTING cage is in compliance with Blue Book requirements before modifying, then ensure that your mods also comply. Then the cage will be fine for NATIONAL events run to MSA regulations. Any International events will require FIA certification, which is not in the remit of Blue Book compliance.
Hope thats clear.

Kim.

p.s. Only mentioned Safety Devices as thats the one we've modified in Dans E30, not singling them out for any particular reason.

Sat Apr 14, 2012 5:56 pm

Thank's for the replies. Might have to save up. How much does a decent cage cost, fitted?

Sat Apr 14, 2012 10:51 pm

Mine was about k and a half,ex Vat!

it is a good area to spend money on tho think what you'd want just before doing barrel rolls towards the gravel.

Where you based? If on the south coast lookup raw motorsport.

Sun Apr 15, 2012 12:48 am

A k and a half, 1500 quid? Fitted? I'll have to do a bit of research, but that sounds almost reasonable.

Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:39 pm

As above, give Rob a call at RAW motorsport he will do you a very good cage for a good price

Details of RAW can be found here: http://www.raceperformancemodified.com/Links

Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:40 pm

RPM wrote:As above, give Rob a call at RAW motorsport he will do you a very good cage for a good price, tell him we sent you ;)

Details of RAW can be found here: http://www.raceperformancemodified.com/Links