A&Q about Lotus
Q:
I've posted a comment here or there about my rollbar extension, but haven't really provided any photos. In response to a request for some, here you go.
Tony Colicchio (TCDesign) did the work. He welded a bracket on each side of the factory roll bar. He fabricated the rollbar extension, threaded it through two holes in the rollbar cover, then welded brackets onto the extension. Next he bolted the two sets of brackets together and put the rollbar cover back on. Finally, the extra space in the rollbar cover was filled with black goop.
Ideally, I'd like to add a removable petty bar, which would attach to the front right corner of the passenger compartment. That would provide better resistance to fore-aft movement.
It is removable, but it's a pain to remove and reinstall the rollbar cover (you have to climb into the trunk to get access!). So I don't plan to remove it. If I ever sell the car, the new buyer could remove it and replace the rollbar cover with a new one, if desired.
A:
jeez,
if our cars didn't look enough like little toys!!! now yours has a handle!!!
looks good, thanks for the pics! what type of tube steel did he use for the extension? are the brackets bolted or welded to the existing roll bar?
A:
i think its pretty ugly.
what are the pro's of extending the hoop outside the car like that?
A:
Originally Posted by ezeedee
i think its pretty ugly.
what are the pro's of extending the hoop outside the car like that?
well so the car doesnt crush itself if you roll over... basicly it saves your ass...
A:
Originally Posted by lolAntonilol
well so the car doesnt crush itself if you roll over... basicly it saves your ass...
but isnt there a hoop that runs over the rear glass?
A:
Originally Posted by lolAntonilol
well so the car doesnt crush itself if you roll over... basicly it saves your ass...
It's a little much if you ask me how many times people rolled a lotus on the track. But I bet it's better to have too much safety then not enough when it counts.
A:
Chococar is taller than the average Elise driver, so the stock rollbar does not help him as much in a roll over. You can see this somewhat in his avatar picture.
Not a bad solution for him.
- Justin
A:
Originally Posted by Vantage
Chococar is taller than the average Elise driver, so the stock rollbar does not help him as much in a roll over. You can see this somewhat in his avatar picture.
Not a bad solution for him.
- Justin
oh i just noticed that. i guess that makes sense.
A:
I think it looks very well done. You know the love for the car when you are willing to make a modification like that.
A:
Chococar, thanks for posting the pics and giving a description (I was the one that PM'd you about this)! I am going to check some area fabricators and see what I can get worked up. Can you see any of the fabrication from underneath the roolhoop cover?
To the others questioning it... yes it is because we are taller. I am 6' 6" and Chococar is about the same. With our helmets on and seated properly, the top of the helmet is above the top of the car. Most tracks will not let you run if they see this (broom stick rule). Currently, I just run with my soft top (with the hardtop, there is no way) and force myself and helmet to fit by slouching, but by not sitting properly I am severely compromising my safetly. It sucks to have to do it, but the car is just too much fun to give up on.
A:
Baysailor, here are a couple of photos looking up at the bracketry above the rear glass. I hadn't looked at it this way before -- I think it underscores the need for a petty bar.
Good luck -- post photos when yours is done!
A bracket is welded to the stock roll bar. A matching bracket is welded to the extension. The two brackets are bolted together.
A:
Originally Posted by Chococar
Baysailor, here are a couple of photos looking up at the bracketry above the rear glass. I hadn't looked at it this way before -- I think it underscores the need for a petty bar.
Good luck -- post photos when yours is done!
A bracket is welded to the stock roll bar. A matching bracket is welded to the extension. The two brackets are bolted together.
Great shots! That is exactly what I was looking for. I will definitely post pictures of what I do.
A:
Originally Posted by ezeedee
i think its pretty ugly.
what are the pro's of extending the hoop outside the car like that?
i guess you aren't as tall as joe and dont track as avidly as joe, or your neck is stronger than joe's.... you need the bar when you flip over.
A:
Originally Posted by Rei
It's a little much if you ask me how many times people rolled a lotus on the track. But I bet it's better to have too much safety then not enough when it counts.
if you drive hard and drive a lot on track, you WILL flip over. it's only a matter of when not if.... much better to be safe than sorry.
A:
Originally Posted by polar
i guess you aren't as tall as joe and dont track as avidly as joe, or your neck is stronger than joe's.... you need the bar when you flip over.
i didnt know how tall joe was when i asked.
i dont track period (i dont have an elise)
i dont know how strong joe's neck is but i dont want to see anyone landing on their head to see.
it was just a question since i was under the impression there was an roll bar incorporated into the chassis.
A:
Originally Posted by ezeedee
i didnt know how tall joe was when i asked.
i dont track period (i dont have an elise)
i dont know how strong joe's neck is but i dont want to see anyone landing on their head to see.
it was just a question since i was under the impression there was an roll bar incorporated into the chassis.
i understand now. yeah, joe is quite tall and he even has a seat with special mount to give him more room. but still he need a bit more extension, that's all.
A:
This photo shows the "why". The others had to do with the "how".
A:
Naturally everything I'm about to say is meaningless, to the extent that A) I'm not a structural engineer, and B) I've not seen this installation in person and certainly wasn't around during the design or implimentation, but just for fun, I've got to say...
It LOOKS completely inadequate for any purpose involving safety. I humbly submit that it looks like it would hold the STATIC weight of the car, but would fold right over at the attachment points as soon as there was any sliding of the vehicle. The proposed future petty bar would certainly help, assuming it was well anchored. I would call it a necessity. Again, this is all just based on the looks of things. I apologize if I'm wrong, because it does seem to be an ingenious idea. But I'd hate for you to find out I'm right the hard way.
xtn