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Challenge Roll Cage Question

Discussion in 'Challenge/GT Cars/Track' started by Fundlawyer, Jan 6, 2012.

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  1. Fundlawyer

    Fundlawyer Karting

    Jul 30, 2009
    107
    Old Westbruy, NY
    Full Name:
    Douglas Hirsch
    #1 Fundlawyer, Jan 6, 2012
    Why do the challenge cars have bolt together roll cages as opposed to fully welded roll cages? The roll cage in my Spec Miata looks safer and sturdier then a Challenge roll cage.
     
  2. Jaffster

    Jaffster Karting

    Mar 27, 2010
    201
    #2 Jaffster, Jan 6, 2012
    Several reasons - maintenance work, car is not made of steel, and one of the bigger ones...the car itself is probably 20x stiffer/strong than your miata's shell.
     
  3. Fundlawyer

    Fundlawyer Karting

    Jul 30, 2009
    107
    Old Westbruy, NY
    Full Name:
    Douglas Hirsch
    #3 Fundlawyer, Jan 9, 2012
    Thanks. Do they use the bolt together cage for the 430GT? It just seems so weird. I don't recall ever seeing any other factory race car with a bolt together cage. However I understand your point. In my Miata, the cage also serves to stiffen up the chassis and the construction of your cage can have a major effect on the car's handling. For a gentlemen race car I can understand the emphasis on maintenance when you have a really stiff chassis.


    The 458 Grand Am car will have a thick welded cage as per Grand Am rules. I am excited to see that car run. Should be interesting.
     
  4. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    28,948
    socal
    #4 fatbillybob, Jan 27, 2012
    I doubt that. What the GA car will probably have is a welded full cage bolted and bonded to the chassis with the seats bolted to the cage through a seat frame integral with the cage. That is how a proper bolt in cage and welded cage should be done for max safety. This way if the car goes away around you the driver stays safe in the buble that is the cage and seat connected to it. In the challenge series Ferrari totally cheaped out on every cage they have made. You cannot weld steel to aluminum. 90% of the time you see seats bolted to floors and cage put into cars. Rally a classic example.
     

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