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Author: Subject: Rollbar for hillclimbs
Adamirish

posted on 4/2/17 at 12:48 AM Reply With Quote
Rollbar for hillclimbs

I have recently joined shelsley motor club(MAC) and quite fancy having a go at hillclimbing. I've had a quick flick through the blue book but can't find anything concerning rollbar construction. I'm sure it's in there somewhere but I can't find it regarding the class my car would be eligible for(B1 specialist production road going under 1700cc)

My car has just the single rollbar with no back stays. I fear that might rule me out of competition entirely. Am I correct in thinking this? Is it a requirement or just a recommendation? I appreciate it is advantageous to me in case of an accident but humour me for a moment.

My thoughts are I don't want to blow a wad of cash to make the car eligible and find hillclimbs/sprinting aren't for me. I really would like to just have a go then proceed from there. I may not enjoy it and never do it again or I may love it, get the car in the garage and it won't come out again until it can compete with Jeffw! I won't know until I try. I could just use my focus but that doesn't interest me in the slightest.

If it is a requirement, what could I do as a bare minimum to make the car eligible? Weld in backstays? Or is it a case of getting it chopped off and an MSA approved rollbar installed?

I apologise for the noob questions, I have never competed before other than karts at club level, a lot of the wording in the blue book is nothing but gobbledegook to me. I'm pretty sure I have seen mgf's/mx5's competing with no rollbar at all although I appreciate they are really slow.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.





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phelpsa

posted on 4/2/17 at 03:45 AM Reply With Quote
It will need to comply with either K1.6.1 or K1.6.2. Depending on what the current roll hoop is made from it may be a case of adding back stays or might mean replacing the entire hoop. It's definitely a worthwhile addition either way, a hoop with no back stays is probably more for aesthetic purposes than anything else.
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jeffw

posted on 4/2/17 at 06:28 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Adamirish
My thoughts are I don't want to blow a wad of cash to make the car eligible and find hillclimbs/sprinting aren't for me. I really would like to just have a go then proceed from there. I may not enjoy it and never do it again or I may love it, get the car in the garage and it won't come out again until it can compete with Jeffw! I won't know until I try. I could just use my focus but that doesn't interest me in the slightest.



To compete in an MSA sprint you will need to change the rollhoop (ROPS in MSA parlance) so it matches the references in the Bluebook that Adam (phelpsa) has mentioned. Typically this will be 45mm x 2.5mm or 50mm x 2mm CDS hoop with a cross bar and back (now also forward) stays in the same tube. You will also need all the safety equipment (FIA approved Helmet, suit & gloves). You can also have a MSA certified ROPS from the manufacture that has been approved by the MSA and therefore certified.

If this is all too much to find if you like sprinting/hillclimbing you can take part in a Javelin Sprint Series event and the requirement there is you need to have a 'safe' car and a crash helmet (can be a bike one). Much lower entery requirement and will give you the flavour of sprinting.

It has to be said that if your Roll hoop is 'decorative' and not functional you might want to change it anyway and you might as well meet MSA standards while you are there.

Just FYI there are loads of kitcar sprinters who are faster than I am, including young Adam who replied to you But I keep trying

[Edited on 4/2/17 by jeffw]






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Adamirish

posted on 4/2/17 at 12:06 PM Reply With Quote
Thanks a lot for the replies guys, it's just as I thought. I will have to look into the costs of getting a proper rollbar made and installed.

There is a members meeting at shelsley in April which I believe isn't an MSA sanctioned event so maybe the MSA rules won't come into play. I'll ring them and see. Hill climbing is handy for me as shelsley is only half an hour from me with loton park not much further.

Thanks for the info on the javelin sprints Jeff, I will certainly look into that. I just simply want to dip my toes in the water and try it. I am under no illusions that I will be competitive, far from it, I just really miss competing in something.

Thanks again, much appreciated.





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lsdweb

posted on 4/2/17 at 05:39 PM Reply With Quote
quote:


To compete in an MSA sprint you will need to change the rollhoop (ROPS in MSA parlance) so it matches the references in the Bluebook that Adam (phelpsa) has mentioned. Typically this will be 45mm x 2.5mm or 50mm x 2mm CDS hoop with a cross bar and back (now also forward) stays in the same tube.

[Edited on 4/2/17 by jeffw]


Unless it was approved prior to 1.1.95 where a 38mm x 2.5mm bar would be acceptable.

Wyn

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jeffw

posted on 4/2/17 at 06:11 PM Reply With Quote
Yes, that is true but it is one that gets argued about a fair bit. Funny how physics is different for older cars....






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Adamirish

posted on 4/2/17 at 08:17 PM Reply With Quote
Mine looks old, does that count?





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JimSpencer

posted on 5/2/17 at 09:36 AM Reply With Quote
Hi

I'd recommend giving Nigel at Cougar Engineering Redditch a ring, nip along there and get him to quote you for what you need.
(NTDWM other than a very happy customer.)

He does several cars in the class (did mine too) so it'll be right - as per the above a simple hoop is just aesthetics and whatever event you go to, having it right makes sense

At Shelsley the members day only requires that the car be road legal BTW, but obviously it's not 'competitive'

The Javlin series is a good opportunity to give competition a try but, with the best will in the world, the venue's simply aren't the same.. the buzz at Shelsley and Prescott and the sheer adrenalin pump of Loton are very different

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lsdweb

posted on 5/2/17 at 10:44 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Adamirish
Mine looks old, does that count?


I just noticed it's an MK so unlikely it was built before 95! So, as Jeff says, latest MSA spec will be required for MSA events.

Wyn

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Adamirish

posted on 5/2/17 at 08:24 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by JimSpencer
Hi

I'd recommend giving Nigel at Cougar Engineering Redditch a ring, nip along there and get him to quote you for what you need.
(NTDWM other than a very happy customer.)

He does several cars in the class (did mine too) so it'll be right - as per the above a simple hoop is just aesthetics and whatever event you go to, having it right makes sense

At Shelsley the members day only requires that the car be road legal BTW, but obviously it's not 'competitive'

The Javlin series is a good opportunity to give competition a try but, with the best will in the world, the venue's simply aren't the same.. the buzz at Shelsley and Prescott and the sheer adrenalin pump of Loton are very different


Thanks Jim, much appreciated!

With the members day being as it is, I think I'll give that a go and see. It would be a good opportunity to have a go without the cost of getting the car right then not enjoying it.

I have had a quick look at the javelin series and it certainly appeals but everything is so far away from me. I would have to buy a trailer and fit a tow bar/borrow a car with a tow bar as there is no way I would want to drive the kit all the way to croft!





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mark chandler

posted on 5/2/17 at 09:10 PM Reply With Quote
Prescott and Loton are wonderful locations

This is me rumbling up Loton last year

https://youtu.be/Jistiq593WY

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Adamirish

posted on 5/2/17 at 09:20 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by mark chandler
Prescott and Loton are wonderful locations

This is me rumbling up Loton last year

https://youtu.be/Jistiq593WY


An Aston being used properly, good man! I have driven a V8V a few times over the past few months, I think I might be in love!

I have actually seen you at loton(I didn't know it was you back then though). Last year, may have actually been that day in fact. Though I don't remember it being wet. I may actually have a video! I will have to have a look.





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