roll bars, 50mm clearance and tall people

CapitalF · Postby **CapitalF** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:27 am

Autocross at Willowbank Park via IWMAC - see http://www.iwmac.org.au. Note it's on dirt. :-(

Ive also been doing Motorkhanas at Willowbank with HSCCQ too and the topic has been raised there too. Being a \"non speed\" event its less of a concern.

Cal - are you across the plans for IMETT at Yatala? See http://www.imett.com.au I'd work hard to establish autocross facilities ala USA style there... Are you aware of any other support for that style of autocross in Aus?

(Sorry to get off topic somewhat)

Peter

Cal · Postby **Cal** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:19 am

Ahh they call that Autocross hey. Yeah I'm familiar with the events. There is no US style Autocross being run in OZ.

A mate of mine (who is a member of the forum) knows a lot abou that in fact. I'll get him to post.

Brad · Postby **Brad** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:23 am

Yeah, I've been involved with the project as a consultant for about a year, nothing has happened for 9 months though. The website promises a lot, and the proponents really do have a great concept and desire to see this through, however until the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) is complete, it's only speculation whether it will go ahead.

CapitalF · Postby **CapitalF** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:34 am

Sorry for getting way off topic Jimmy!

Brad - I was under the impression that the February announcement by the QLD govt that IMETT was now a \"significant project\" was a major step forward. I realise there's a long way to go with EIA, but is that new project status from QLD govt not suggesting important state govt support/drive?

Also - how long does an EIA take?

Peter

Brad · Postby **Brad** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:43 am

CapitalF wrote:Sorry for getting way off topic Jimmy!

Brad - I was under the impression that the February announcement by the QLD govt that IMETT was now a "significant project" was a major step forward. I realise there's a long way to go with EIA, but is that new project status from QLD govt not suggesting important state govt support/drive?

Also - how long does an EIA take?

Peter

Yes, it could not go ahead without that designation, however the States recognition of it as a project of State Significance infers that they recognise there is merit to the concept and that the only way to fully understand and get around the issues is via a State, as opposed to Local Council dríven assessment. The EIA preparation is a substantial task, we are presently doing 2 others, North-East Business Park and North Bank, and we estimate about 18-24 months for these. You'd still be looking at at least another 12-18 months after that to get Local Council planning and operational works approvals, then on to construction.

SteveS1 · Postby **SteveS1** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:23 pm

I expect the noise assessment for IMETT would be interesting. We got involved with a few motorsport noise assessments in the last couple of years and they can be quite \"involved\" in a political sense.

Brad · Postby **Brad** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:32 pm

SteveS1 wrote:I expect the noise assessment for IMETT would be interesting. We got involved with a few motorsport noise assessments in the last couple of years and they can be quite "involved" in a political sense.

I don't suppose you worked on the QR one a while back for 24hr operation with Max Winders?

CapitalF · Postby **CapitalF** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:18 pm

Back on topic...

Jimmy and fellow tall MX5 race fans - do any of you have contacts in the carbon fibre game? (or even fibreglass)??

I'd love to get something like this below made in Australia but with an extra 75mm around the base at the back to effectively lift the middle of the roof by 50mm??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda-Miata-90-97-Carbon-Fiber-Hard-Top_W0QQitemZ280206228328QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280206228328

Surely if we supplied a standard hard top as a model with the spec to slice it horizontally 50mm-ish up from the base and insert the extra 75mm it could be done... If there were a group buy happening...maybe?

What do you think? Would that give us enough headroom and space to build a \"legal\" roll cage? Or would they cost the world?

Peter

Alex · Postby **Alex** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:02 pm

CapitalF wrote:Back on topic...

Jimmy and fellow tall MX5 race fans - do any of you have contacts in the carbon fibre game? (or even fibreglass)??

I'd love to get something like this below made in Australia but with an extra 75mm around the base at the back to effectively lift the middle of the roof by 50mm??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda-Miata-90-97-Carbon-Fiber-Hard-Top_W0QQitemZ280206228328QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280206228328

Surely if we supplied a standard hard top as a model with the spec to slice it horizontally 50mm-ish up from the base and insert the extra 75mm it could be done... If there were a group buy happening...maybe?

What do you think? Would that give us enough headroom and space to build a "legal" roll cage? Or would they cost the world?

Peter

you could always do it yourself, just add some extensions to the hardtop model to make it higher, then use that to make a template

Mokesta · Postby **Mokesta** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:51 pm

I have seen this issue come up with people racing Westfields and Caterhams etc. One solution I have seen is an add-on piece that attaches to the top of the roll bar and adds some height.

Imagine a section of roll bar made to look like a cut-down single hoop. If it had two saddles to clamp it to the main hoop and a third on the rear leg, then it would form an integral part of the ROPS and you'd have the desired height. If I recall, the CAMS manual has a suitable clamp arrangement used in removable door bars or bolt-in cages. If clamps aren't the go, then install captive threads into the main ROPS assy in the same way that harness mount thread sockets are and bolt the add-on directly to teh existing ROPS.

If you are only after 50 to 80 mm the item would be quite small. Obviously, it wouldn't fit under the standard hard top but if you are considering a tonneau, I'd look into it.

I reckon our friendly local (in Brisbane) engineer-come-MX-5 parts seller and his rotary-loving associate may be able to design smething...

M

Postby **Okibi** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:14 pm

Yup that was my thinking. a mount that bolts into the car then the large hoop behind the driver and passanger clicks or bolts in quickly and the 2 arms that support it bolt into place.

I know there are other \"bolt in\" cages out there but this one would be designed to accept different height \"hoops\", you could even have one that fits under the roof for short arses or for days you don't need the right height cage in.

Grumpy · Postby **Grumpy** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:58 pm

I sent an email to CAMS down here regarding this problem, and the reply was as follows.
The 50mm requirement would be waived if a Mazda MX5 is fitted with a factory hardtop, although it is desirable to ensure the helmet is below the rollbar top.
An MX5 with soft top or no roof, the 50mm requirement is not waived.
Unless it is written in the supp regs for an event, at club or Multi club speed events, there is no requirement for ROPS (Roll Over Protection System) by CAMS.
IF IT IS A STATE LEVEL EVENT, ROPS IS REQUIRED
I have run in a number of Hillclimbs, sprints and regularity trials in Vic, and to date, the std B&d rollbar has been ok. But I am sure the time will come when I will have to buy a hard top.
Photo below is at Rob Roy hillclimb. I'm 50mm above the bar !!!
[url][URL=http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=robroyzy5.jpg]

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CapitalF · Postby **CapitalF** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:10 am

But Grumpy, wont you have the same problem as myself and others in that with a helmet on you wont fit under the hardtop?

When I put my helmet on and the soft top up my head has to be at a 30 deg angle!

Rules are rules but if Im going to make my car safe for me, for speed events then I want it to be safe - not just \"satisfy the rules\".

Peter

PS - Can I get a copy of the CAMS email??

Grumpy · Postby **Grumpy** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 8:19 pm

In sprint events, I run with the top up and the helmet just clears the roof. It means I just slide down the seat slightly. It's not perfect but works for me. I will see what happens this year at the Broadford hill climb, as it is a state level meeting, I may run into trouble.
This could lead to a group buy for hard tops !!!!

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:05 pm

I have watch this discussion and I think that there is a major point that EVERYONE has missed.

If you have a standard MX-5 WITHOUT a roll bar you can now run in CAMS Super Sprint events.
What it means is that now I can run the NC in Super Sprints.

Someone with a NA or NB without a roll bar can run.

Fit a BD roll bar and not get under the 2â€ rule and youâ€™re banned. :roll:

Work that one out!!! :evil: