Blue Book - Roll Over Protection System #### UPDATED 02/02/16

[Comp Sec]

I've received a couple of emails asking for guidance on the changes with ROPS within the blue book for 2016, my understanding is as follows

Whilst the blue book has previously only recommended the use of Roll Over protection Systems within Specialist Roadgoing Classes (i.e. us), the lotus 7 club has always mandated there use within our championship regulations.

From this season the MSA is now mandating use of a compliant ROPS.

engines upto 2000cc - Regulation s10.1.3 / k1.6.1.a) Track day / FIA Roll bar used with a Petty Strut, or Roll Cage

engines above 2000cc - Regulation s10.1.3 / k1.6.1.b) Roll Cage also, for a Caterham with an effective capacity of over 2000cc K1.6.1© which allows them to have a ROPS to drawing K60 so they do not require a full cage to K3 or K4

ROPS should either be fitted with an MSA homologation sticker or be constructed in line with the requirements of the Blue book.

 

Whilst in previous years i'm aware that a number of competitors have competed with the top of their helmet above the ROPS, i'm not 100% clear within the blue book if the clearance values are mandatory or recommended for our classes, however I would strongly recommend that competitors do comply and not take the risk that it is not mandatory.

Diagram 60(ii) on page 194 showing the helmet not being higher than a line from the top of the Roll Bar to the furthest forward solid structure, which is normally the top of the engine block (with the bonnet off) or if using a roll cage the front of the roll cage.

 

If anyone does have differing information or any queries please feel free to contact me.

 

[Simon.Rogers]

The 50mm is mandatory and always has been.  

Over the early years I was (and probably so were others) regularly remixed of the fact. 

I used to have a way of sinking down whenever an officer was in the area.  I didn't need to sink much.  Now there is a cage and I recline the seat so much I sit lower than TM 

[Comp Sec]

Glad somebody else had the same thought I had, as that was my impression. But the only reference I can now find to the K31 diagram is K1.6.1.© which refers to sports cars, which we are defined as not.

I would be grateful if anyone else does find the reference, and i'm assuming it's obtuse that they point it out. .....  or has MSA mucked the blue book up again.... surely not.

[Mcalvert]

Sorry if I've missed something obvious, but do Specialist Roadgoing cars running FIA bar & Petty strut require the FIA sticker, or is the material type/diameter/thickness likely to be sufficient?

Cheers,

[Comp Sec]

not 100% sure of the dimensions, but looking at K1.4.1, if the roll bar is 45mm OD then should be okay without the sticker, if less than 45mm would require the sticker in line with k1.5.2.

[Shaun_E]

Sticker required as the bar uses a smaller diameter than that mandated in the blue book.

As the rules have changed this year to ROPS being mandatory I expect that 1) scrutineers will be checking and 2) there will be confusion as to the rules.  You would probably get away without a sticker most times but you can guarantee our favourite scrutineer will be checking!!

[Shaun_E]

FIA bar is 38mm

[Comp Sec]

So at that will need an MSA/FIA sticker, nothing like opening a can of worms is there.

[Mcalvert]

Thanks (I think!).

So, we think the Tall FIA bar was made by Safety Devices?  Any idea if there is a serial number to look for somewhere? 

 

 

[Comp Sec]

I think the sticker is actually on the Petty Strut......

[Richard Price]

I thought the pre caged FIA bars were made by Arch? 

'Pretty sure my original FIA bar had an Arch label on it before I had it nylon coated.

[Nigel Fox]

My live axle FIA bar bought from Caterham in approximately 2007 definitely had an Arch sticker.

[Mcalvert]

Hmm, so your bars have both an Arch Sticker and an "FIA approved" sticker? 

Sadly, neither my tall bar (purchased second hand, stripped and repowder coated) nor my petty strut have anything on them :-(

[sjmmarsh]

Ah well.... It looks as if I needn't bother getting a licence this year as I don't want to fit a roll cage to my CSR when it is mainly used for touring.

I can see the logic in it, but it will put some people off.

Steve

[Nigel Fox]

You don't need a full cage in a road going class as I understand it.

[Comp Sec]

Have a look at k1.6.1  production cars over 2000 require a ROPS in line with diagram K3 or K4,

 Assuming that we are roadgoing specialist production, if I'm mistaken please feel enlighten

[sjmmarsh]

However the diagrams for cars under 2000cc (K1 and K2) don't show the need for a petty strut - just a basic roll bar with 2 rearward struts.

It also seems to be only sports cars over 2000cc that have to meet the 5cm clearance shown in K60(ii)....

Confused....

[Comp Sec]

The drawings are generic and there is a follow on section regarding optional members and having a mandatory cross bar, but are based upon the stated roll bar sizes in the blue book, Caterham cages and roll bars are homogolated which means they have been certified with the MSA as giving equivalent or better than the minimum within the blue book.

As the certification for the roll bar is with the petty strut in place then this must be in place for competition use.

[Geoff Corker]

I know I am pretty slow on the uptake, but does this mean that a Caterham FIA bar and petty strut don't need an FIA "approved sticker"?

 

[Comp Sec]

The caterham FIA or Track day roll bar should have a sticker on there somewhere

[Geoff Corker]

Thanks Chris, but having just braved the cold in the garage I cannot see anything vaguely stickerish on either the bar or petty strut.

[Comp Sec]

Might be helpful if someone who has found the location of the homologation sticker on the rollbar posts it up as they are normally in the same place as it's detailed on the certificate.

For example on a live axle safety devices cage it is on the rear upright on the passenger side.

[Bob_r]

from what I observed last year, quite a few competitors had repainted or powder coated their roll bars and cages, and in the process FIA stickers appeared to have been lost. I thought this unusual until I encountered the very lax level of scrutineering  at the events that I attended, I'm not sure that that was encouraging or worrying, but was no where near the standards encountered at MSA Race Meetings. Regarding the 50mm rule, I agree that for as long as I can remember this has been mandatory,wasn't it one of the reasons for Caterham introducing a lowered Floor option?

[Comp Sec]

last year the ROPS protection in specialist roadgoing classes in speed events was only recommended and not mandatory so scruitineers could not reject a car if the ROPS was not up to standard so it would be low on the list of priorities. 

I suspect things will be different this year and i'm already bracing myself for a number of competitors being stopped on the  first event...

regarding the 50mm rule like you I though it was mandatory, however the only reference is now within the sports car category... unless someone has found it elsewhere.

 

[Comp Sec]

I've had it confirmed that the Homogelation sticker is only fixed to the petty strut but covers the entire assembly.

I'm in discussions with Caterham and they are hopefully going to send me copies of the homogelation paperwork so we can identify specific rollbar manufacturers, models & serial number locations so replacement id plates can be obtained