mookaloid
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| posted on 29/8/04 at 05:29 PM |
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Roll over hoop
Has any one upgraded their basic rollover hoop to a "2 struts and a diagonal" suitable for hillclimbing?
Been to Harewood today and am keen to have a go but I fear my basic hoop wouldn't pass scrutineering.
If you read this Snoopy, can I buy one of these from MK which will bolt on in place of my standard one?
Cheers Mark
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andyps
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| posted on 29/8/04 at 09:15 PM |
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Hi Mark - good day at Harewood today I thought. I think you would find that you actually wouldn't need more than a basic hoop to compete, but
would definitely recommend something stronger. A lot of the Caterhams compete with their standard roll over bar which is just a single hoop with
fairly thin stays down to the top of the back panel.
Don't know if you saw the Mini roll this morning, but when we pushed it back onto it's wheels it really showed the value of a good cage -
the roof was slightly squashed at the front - but the cage had certainly done it's job well and not deformed at all. I would worry that a single
hoop may fold in a roll which is why I intend to fit one with strong stays down to the back lower corners.
Andy
An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less
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mookaloid
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| posted on 29/8/04 at 09:57 PM |
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Hi Andy, Yes I enjoyed it too (apart from the rain storm) I understand that it may be possible to be allowed to compete as a first timer with only a
basic hoop - I had a word with a scrutineer. however it is not guaranteed and anyway, the regs are there for a very good reason which I guess we both
happen to agree with!!
I will find a wayto do it, it's just when and how much
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mookaloid
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| posted on 30/8/04 at 07:55 AM |
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I guess something like this would be appropriate.
I think it would need to be a couple of inches higher than the standard bar I have now.
The rear struts would have to be on the uprights rather than on the crossbar so that the bottom end would clear the fuel tank area. Also as I have
bonded the rear panel to the chassis, where the bottom of the struts are mounted is a bit tricky as any welding would ideally be not right next to the
fibreglass panel!
I have seen some other cars (W*******ld) with the roll over bar described as RAC approved - any idea what this involves?
Cheers Mark
 
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mookaloid
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| posted on 30/8/04 at 05:35 PM |
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I'll give you a call tomorrow
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Rob Lane
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| posted on 31/8/04 at 08:03 AM |
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For road registered classes, a standard hoop is all that is required.
It's late in the season now and many clubs close applications, but around Xmas or in the new year apply for your competition licence from RAC
and you will get the 'RAC Blue Book'. This has all the regs required for each class. Excellent reading anyway.
You require a 'non-race' licence, just form filling required.
There are a lot of diagrams of rollbars in book, as to what is approved as a design. These are for racing and other classes but again road going are
quite relaxed compared to other classes.
There are extra rules applied by club organisers for their series but they are not usually harsh, mostly simple.
The series I competed in a few years back finally got round to dropping the 'upholstered seats' rule. This allowed the full carbon fibre
or glassfibre buckets, which were much safer anyway.
If it's northern events you want to compete in, then consider the Notts SCC Speed Series. Most of the events take place around the top half of
UK, even a nice one at Lotus, Hethel.
Website is www.nsscc.co.uk
Why not add a brace forward and down to passenger footwell. It can bolt to floor crossmember with a bracket and bolt around hoop using a clamp.
Clamps are available just for this purpose, probably from Demon Tweeks or Merlin Motorsport.
You can easily remove it for road use, quite a few use this method.
[Edited on 31/8/04 by Rob Lane]
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mookaloid
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| posted on 31/8/04 at 09:02 AM |
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Thanks for that Rob, I hadn't considered a removable brace.
Yes I would think it will just be northern events so hopefully we'll bump into each other. Do you think you'll be at Harewood in
September?
Mark
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andyps
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| posted on 31/8/04 at 11:53 AM |
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Mark,
I would highly recommend the Harewood Driving school if you are intending to compete there (and anywhere else). Some really useful tips and a good day
out anyway. Certainly OK to go for that with a standard bar. Unfortunately there are no more this year, but provisional dates for 2005 are:
April 7th and 28th
May 26th
July 21st
August 18th
Can't remember the cost, but details are on the Harewood website
Andy
An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less
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mookaloid
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| posted on 31/8/04 at 02:23 PM |
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Sound advice Andy, I will book a day
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Rob Lane
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| posted on 31/8/04 at 04:21 PM |
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The Harewood speed course is excellent, I did that in a Fiesta diesel van in April 2000.
Why no seven? Well it was bucketing it down night before and on the morning of the course.
It's one on one instruction.
I was in much demand by the instructors as I was the only dry and warm vehicle there. Many of the Caterhams and Westfields were just dripping water
over occupants and misting up inside screen, making fast driving impossible.
I was even commended on my 'lines' when at the video de-briefing.
Much hilarity when video showed one rear wheel cocked up off ground when taking final corner before finish. All that from a diesel van !!
I'm not competing at moment but hope to do so again next year.
I will be visiting the Thoresby Park rounds in Sept. 18th and 19th as a watcher.
The 19th is usually well supported and the Austin 7 club joins in, as well as there being an impromtu 'Classic Car show in car park.
Thoresby is very easy to get to just off the A1 and the track can be seen from very easy walking places. Good day out for wife also, the hall is a
hotel and there's a nice cafe or even restaurant if you want. Couple of gift shops too.
I really miss the competition but early this year it looked like I would not have a running car till late in season, I was right, I was really too
late to start.
Don't forget that many of the rounds are booked as soon as entry form arrives and fill up very quickly. Sometimes in one day!!
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