Lotus 7 Club Information April 1999
Roll Over Bars
Where a roll over bar is required by event regulations, the standard Caterham
roll over bar is not accepted by the MSA for sprints, hillclimbs or circuit racing (nor do
Caterham Cars claim it to be), as for example, neither the tube diameters or tube material
are to MSA guidelines.
Over the last few years, the Club has taken the view that if the standard bar is
not considered acceptable by the MSA for the events mentioned; then we should not consider
it acceptable for our track days (this very point having been made by Silverstone circuit
during one of our previous days).
If you wish to replace (or fit in the case of very early Sevens) your roll over
bar for use on Club track days and you wish to manufacture or specify it yourself then you
should be guided by the instructions outlined in the MSA blue book. The details are
too lengthy to appear in full here, but two of the main points covered are:
- tube diameters (for main hoop; currently 45mm x 2.5mm thickness or 50mm x 2mm
thickness or 38mm x 2.5mm thickness or 40mm x 2.00mm thickness for bars tested and
approved by MSA prior to 1/1/1995) and
- material type (Cold Drawn Steel).
In practice you would be well advised to purchase a standard Caterham FIA
bar/cage which will have been load tested and does comply with MSA requirements. If
this is not possible for your model/year you should contact a specialist manufacturer for
advice such as Safety Devices (Contact Adam Reeves on 01353
724202 fax 01353 724213) who work closely with
Caterham Cars, understand the Seven, are very cooperative and who will manufacture
specials to suit.
Finally there have been questions in the past as to whether the forward
running bracing strut (known as a 'Petty' strut after Richard Petty the
legendary American racer) as supplied with the Caterham FIA bar is mandatory on Club track
days. The Club does not insist that this is fitted for track days although if you
have one, you are strongly advised to fit it.
Last but not least, the MSA advise (for very good reasons!) that the top of a
fitted roll over bar must not be less than 5cm above the helmet of a normally seated
driver.
Examples of each of the types of Roll Bar are shown on the left. The
first two are not acceptable, the rest are. If there are any
that I've missed please send me copies so that I can show everyone else. Site Manager Addresses
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE STANDARD SUPERLIGHT R500 ROLL BAR
IS NOT FIA APPROVED. | 
