'Illegal' roll cage

[Chris Yates]

Just reading something in Snail's Pace (great work as usual, by the way) reminded me about Nigel Hollis's roll cage, which was deemed illegal at Pembrey.

Can anyone tell me why this was? Tube diameter too small? Or something else?

Was this cage a manufactured one such as Alleybars, or a custom?

[Matthew Hollis]

It was a legal custom built (I believe) rollcage when it was originally fitted in late 80s/early 90s, I think Paul has the paperwork to prove this, but obviously regulations change and it was only spotted at Pembrey for the first time.

It was to do with the rear roll hoop, which has to be a single piece. Dad's was a horizontal bar welded onto the top of the supporting legs.

[Derek Coghill]

Is that Wee Fiona? Neil might know, if so.

[kinchieman]

If its the cage in Wee Fiona, it was designed by Graham Harper and built by an engineering company in Stirling. Graham was a fully qualified engineer, and the stress calculations for the cage were done through Graham's contacts at Glasgow University as part of "hands-on real life" education in the Engineering Department. The company that actually built it were oil industry specialists who knew how to weld (they did an aluminium cage for Graham originally, but that was quickly outlawed...), and I probably still have the certificate for the CDS steel somewhere.

Neil McDonald, Glenkinchie, Scotland.

[Matthew Hollis]

Yes, it is Wee Fiona. You could tell it was an extremely well made roll cage but rules are rules so we had to change it.

[Mick Storey]

Not sure why it's illegal. I have the calculations and they were reviewed by MSA and we have a letter to say its acceptable. Rosie has one cage and there are others around

[Paul]

It's not illegal Mick, I have given Richard the letter and Craig Pats thesis to copy. If I ever get my car done it has one of these cages too, so I will carry the letter with me.