12 replies to this topic

[minimissions]

Hi there was thinking of putting a roll cage in my mini cooper and was wondering will it effect my mot as i no that things like harnesses do because they have a differnet check now? does anyone no if the same with happen with the roll cage?

[E.L.M.O]

Before doing this it would be worth checking with your insurance company, many won't cover cars with cages.

What he said!

[mike.]

Indeed - I fitted mine and when it came to insurance they said it was a race item that wasn't covered!

[AVV IT]

Agreed!!! Many insurers will decline or cancel cover if you fit one, others will provide cover but charge an extra premium for it, mine wanted an extra 50% so I didn't bother with a roll cage in the end!!

[Cooperman]

They really are for competitionj use and as such a specialist insurer of rally cars will give 3rd party cover on cars with cages, as happens with my bRover 214 rally car.
If yours is to be a rally car, then PM me and I'll give you my insurer's details. If not, why do you want a cage for normal road driving?

[Pooky]

I'm thinking of doing a few trackdays in my Mini so I'm keen to get myself a real rollcage. I will of course talk to my insurers before doing anything, however I am covered for trackdays on my road insurance as long as certain criteria are met (has to be MSA run etc etc).

Surely they won't have much of a problem with me fitting a cage as the car is heavily modified anyway...

[Cooperman]

I think if the car is modified for competition and it's obvious that it is to be a track car which needs to be driven on the roads, there is less of a problem than just fitting a cage to what is basically a road car. After all, why would someone want a heavy roll cage in a road car unless they intended to drive on the roads in a manner in which a cage would be needed.
I just (today) renewed my insurance for my Rover 214Si rally car. It has standard engine and 'box as per regs, but it has full cage, FIA seats & belts, GAZ suspension all round, underbody shielding, spotlights, improved braking, etc, etc. Premium was £150 TP, F & T. with Adrian Flux, who I highly recommend, by the way.

[steverose]

In answer to the original question, be carefull with the bolts, I understand that you must put the nut on the inside of the car so that there is no exposed thread on the outside to cause injury to pedestrians, you will also need to consider welding plates to the floor were the cage meets the car. I have a full cage fitted to mine (although mine is track use only) so if you want any pictures of were it fits drop me a line and ill send some over (the advantage is I dont have to lift carpets to see the feet lol).
Steve

[Dan]

you will also need to consider welding plates to the floor were the cage meets the car

Consider? It's essential or the cage is pointless.

A roll cage is a large amount of solid, unyielding metal inside the passenger cabin with you. Exactly what manufacturers and governments have been trying to remove from cars for years. A cage in a normal road car can turn a very minor shunt into a very serious injury. If you insist on fitting one, you must also fit a pair of proper race seats that will stop you moving at all in a crash, proper harnesses that will do the same, full cage padding (NOT pipe lagging) and consider driving in a helmet. The rear seats should be completely removed. You will probably need to move the switch panel. If any flailing limbs come into contact with a bare tube during a minor crash, they will almost certainly break. If your head hits one you might die.

[AVV IT]

A roll cage is a large amount of solid, unyielding metal inside the passenger cabin with you. Exactly what manufacturers and governments have been trying to remove from cars for years. A cage in a normal road car can turn a very minor shunt into a very serious injury. If you insist on fitting one, you must also fit a pair of proper race seats that will stop you moving at all in a crash, proper harnesses that will do the same, full cage padding (NOT pipe lagging) and consider driving in a helmet. The rear seats should be completely removed. You will probably need to move the switch panel. If any flailing limbs come into contact with a bare tube during a minor crash, they will almost certainly break. If your head hits one you might die.

Spot on!!.... and is why fitting one to a road car may well hike up your insurance premium, (i.e. they considerably increase the risk of injury to the cars occupants!)

[Pooky]

Is a rear only cage a good compromise for a road car that does the odd track day (not racing)?

[AVV IT]

Is a rear only cage a good compromise for a road car that does the odd track day (not racing)?

In my experience insurers tend to make no distinction between a full cage and just a rear cage, they are only interested in whether it has a roll cage or not. (might be down to the individual insurer though)

[Pooky]

I'm thinking from a safety point of view more than insurance. People seem to be of the opinion that track=cage, road=no cage. My Mini is a fair weather weekend toy and I want to start doing some track days. I have corbeau forza's and harnesses and no rear seats.

Edited by Pooky, 22 November 2010 - 08:48 PM.