Hey, seeing as how i'm going to race soon, i was wondering if i needed a rollcage, i'm a junior and want to start hillclimb racing but i am not sure what class i should race in, so my question is,
Do i need a rollcage to race in any class, if so can anyone post pictures of some examples of the measurements and construction.

Cheers
Sav

Do you value the contents of your noggin

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"Show me the Mini!"

For what you are intending, a roll cage is not a requirement. However, if you decide to fit one ( a damn good idea, anyway) you will need to ensure it complies with all the specifications and designs set out in the CAMS manual - or - have one made by a CAMS acredited manufacturer. All details are available on line at:
http://www.camsmanual.com.au/pdf/genera ... Q108_1.pdf

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Curly
'64 Cooper 'S' (Group Nb spec)
'67 Mini Marcos GT www.mm7056.wordpress.com

hey curly or anyone else, what class would be the most suitable for me to race in.

Cheers
Sav

You would probably be in the same class as I am in the Mini Sav... "Improved Production up to 1600"

Sausage
I have been down the track you want to go.
Its a while ago for me so some things may be different now.

Firstly you should join a car club. Most clubs have motor sport enthusiasts and they run a variety of speed and driving events. These include hillclimbs, sprints on racetracks, motorkana's, rallies and so on. For most of those you dont need a super dooper car or all the equipment.

It also opens the door to go racing on a race track for real. The best way to get a racing licence is to go on one of the racing driver training courses and do your "observed practice" with their coaching and supervision. Don't do that in your race car though - do it in a hire car or somethig similar because race cars invariably break down half way through and you dont end up witht he licence.

To go racing you do need a super dooper race car - or at least you do need a car that will do the job and has all the required equipment. You need to get a cams manual and study that to find out what class you want to go for.

I went through the car club system into open racing and held a racing licence over a twenty year period and raced in that time. It was fun and its taught me all sorts of driving skills.

But, without a doubt its expensive, very expensive. Every time i drove the race car, either for practice or racing, it seemed to cost a $1,000 and that was in the seventies and eighties. So do it with your eyes open.

Mike

hey Mike, thanks for the advise, i think i'll race in the Improved Production Under 1600 category, but does anyone have any pics of any rollcages, i'm still not sure what cage i need.

Cheers
Sav

Sav , you really need to talk to the people in the club you'll be racing with to make sure you fit something suited to the class . We can show you hundreds of different designs of roll bars and roll cages , some would be suitable , some would be overkill and some completely impractical . Is your mini going to be a race only car or also your first road car ? Check with your states rego authority and see if they allow roll cages and rear seat passengers as you might build something that causes problems down the line . Basically though , for any type of racing a rollbar (hoop behind the front seats) and braces to the rear wheel wells or rear parcel shelf (wheel wells are better/stronger , especially if your parcel shelf has any holes for speakers in it) would be a good idea .

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This has all been mentioned before Sav and it was recommended that you visit one of the hillclimb events run by the Gippsland Car Club, who are in your own backyard, to check it all out. The last event run there, earlier this month, was a round of the Vic Championships and there were perhaps 10 Minis competing in either Historics, Improved Production or Sports Sedans.
You can read the CAMS manual descriptions on the different classes and roll cage configurations, but the best way is to go to an event and suss it out for yourself. The next event there is on Saturday the 1st of March, but it's not a State Championship round so I'm not sure how many Minis will be running.
This is a shot of my old Mini Moke that had a full cage. This cage is similar to what most race Minis have fitted inside, with perhaps a pair of door intrusion bars thrown in as well.

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Curly
'64 Cooper 'S' (Group Nb spec)
'67 Mini Marcos GT www.mm7056.wordpress.com

hey thanks everyone for the information, i guess i'll wait untill i really need it before i make decisions

Cheers
Sav