[urq] Rollcage questions

[John Koenig]

A couple of thoughts ... hope I'm not emphasizing the obvious.

For bolt-in cages, it's important that they bolt to the more structural
members of the body shell, and not just the floor.  Seems like a no-brainer,
but ...  Also important that the fasteners are supported by generous,
load-distributing backing plates.  Pulling the fasteners through the
sheetmetal in a crash is a very bad thing.  Weld-in is probably a better
choice, but then the issue is the quality of the welding.

If you get the chance to build your own (or have one built), it's useful to
design the front members so that, when you're seated in the car, they line
up visually with the A-pillars and don't add extra blockage to your line of
sight.  Thanks to the guy who built my first cage many moons ago, whose name
I've long forgotten, who taught me that.

As I understand it, most people's objections to Autopower cages have to do
with the looks of their bolt-together system of clamps and such.  I think
they build highly rated cages, though.  Even though you may not need it,
SCCA approval is probably a good yardstick, especially for stuff like tubing
specs.  Be aware too that (I think) specs for roadrace cages and rally cages
are different.

Hope this helps.

John

----- Original Message -----
From: Jon Linkov <jon at audiclubna.org>
Subject: [urq] Rollcage questions


> Folks -
>
> Does anyone here have experiences with installing a cage, either custom
bent
> or a pre-designed one that will bolt/weld in?
>
> I got a quote of $899 for a Safety Devices cage out of the UK, shipped to
> the US, for the UrQ specifically. I've heard less-than-stellar comments on
> the Autopower bolt-in ones. I'm not looking for SCCA rating, BUT I don't
> want flimsy, unsafe metal surrounding me either.
>
> Any comments are appreciated.
>
> Jon
>
>
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