Why you want a good roll cage.

[Neil Choi]

Makes you wonder.  It was only at 30km/h.

http://vimeo.com/68704812#

[alfagtv58]

Sheesh, even with what looks to be a good cage in there, there is still quite a bit of intrusion into the cabin    Would be interesting to see the same test with no cage.

[Beatle]

I don't know that the test replicates a real life situation.   It's a single, very sharp point of impact, and the car isn't rolling.  Most of the time (not all) there is much more going on which would tend to dissipate the forces more widely.

[aggie57]

Fair point Paul however controlled tests such as this allow specific situations to be analysed and appreciated.  Real world situations will always have a myriad of influences but that doesnt deny the value of these tests.  Over the last few years I for one have made representations to several club members about the risks they are taking in highly modified cars without roll over protection fitted.  CAMS allows that at speed events so long as the body structure is unmodified, but they do not take into account mechanical modifications or the general lightening of cars through the removal of trim.

[Beatle]

Using this video would support an argument that roll cages are useless anyway.  At least in a WRX.................

[alfagtv58]

Using this video would support an argument that roll cages are useless anyway.  At least in a WRX.................

Not without seeing the same test sans roll cage 

Having witnessed a monumental barrel roll over at PI Historics in 2012 and seeing the driver live to tell the tale, I think I am happy to have a roll cage in my car for the foreseeable future!

[Neil Choi]

Using this video would support an argument that roll cages are useless anyway.  At least in a WRX.................

You are kidding, right?  Excuse my humour ineptness if that is the case.

[Evan Bottcher]

I don't know that the test replicates a real life situation.   It's a single, very sharp point of impact, and the car isn't rolling.  Most of the time (not all) there is much more going on which would tend to dissipate the forces more widely.

Smart arse response ahead: Perhaps you should give the FIA a ring, and give them some input.  Perhaps they haven't spent enough time analysing real life situations in order to construct this test.

[Neil Choi]

Paul, you are a sh#t stirrer, you are, good one.

[Beatle]

And, that's not a roll cage....THIS is a roll cage!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGLxFCKW8Qg    (RIP Barry Sheene)

[Neil Choi]

Have you seen Top gear episode where they dropped a BMW (I think) vs a SAAB 900 onto its roof.  The SAAB 900 survived well because it has the strongest A-pillar construction in its class at that time, the doors were able to be opened after the crush.  The BMW didn't survive so well.  I had a SAAB 900, strong car.

I would even want a roll cage in a road car for the safety.  I have had a roll over accident in an Alfetta GT, it wasn't pleasant but the structure held up in an incident starting at 110kph and probably rolling from 80kph (perhaps).  The driver's A-pillar took a bit of beating.

[Neil Choi]

And, that's not a roll cage....THIS is a roll cage!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGLxFCKW8Qg    (RIP Barry Sheene)

Wasn't there a more recent one, at Bathurst, fabian coulthard or james courtney or someone, a Ford, all the panels peeled off leaving the cage and roof only?

[Beatle]

I'll fess up.  I was responding firmly tongue-in-cheek.

But on a serious note, I was stunned to see just how badly the cage performed in that test.  If this video was being used to advertise a certain brand of cage, I'd be looking elsewhere. 

However, the test is not to compare cage Vs no-cage.  It seems to be testing cage Vs cage Vs cage, and we don't see a cageless car tested as the 'control' for the test.

[Beatle]

And, that's not a roll cage....THIS is a roll cage!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGLxFCKW8Qg    (RIP Barry Sheene)

Wasn't there a more recent one, at Bathurst, fabian coulthard or james courtney or someone, a Ford, all the panels peeled off leaving the cage and roof only?

Fabian Coulthard.
In car:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWeAdFRYGy4
Tele-vision:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duh114_Wc_c

[Neil Choi]

Thanks Paul.

Damn, I am wrong AGAIN.  The roof came off as well.

I will have a cage in my (race) car, thanks.