Roll Cage: V. eleventy billion - Focaljet

**airforcefocus** · 05-18-2006, 12:00 AM

I'm at the point where I need to source a cage. There are very few good affordable builders in so-cal and the plan was to get an Autopower for a year or so until I can get the car to Andrew so he can build me one. I know that there have been MANY posts regarding the Autopower cages, but has there been one real world issue with this cage that anyone knows about? I'm not 100% happy with the design, but it's better than nothing for sure.

Opinions please.

Thanks.

**COSDEVSVT** · 05-18-2006, 09:40 AM

I'm curious about this too ...

After a quick NASA cage rule review, the rear braces going down to the rear from the main hoop *might* be closer to the minimum 30-degree included angle between them and the main hoop according to some installed pics I've recently seen and comparing it to other Spec Foci pics.

Because of that minimum included angle, there doesn't appear to offer any rear shock tower stiffening benefit. The rear braces attach down low on the forward face of the rear wheel houses.

The upper drivers side bar that connects the main hoop to the front hoop looks kinda low too ... but most race cars are using a lowered seating position anyway.

**airforcefocus** · 05-18-2006, 12:48 PM

I'm going to sleeve and weld the cage in, once I get that done, I will add an X-brace to the A and B pillar bars. This "should" be good for most classes.

**Ted7rns** · 05-18-2006, 01:27 PM

How close does the Autopower cage fit towards the top of the car. Since most Spec Focus don't run with a headliner...there could be a big gap there.

**COSDEVSVT** · 05-18-2006, 01:36 PM

The pics I've seen are in a car with a headliner. It *might* be getting close, but not sure if it is touching. Most likely would be a big gap in a stripped Focus.

**Ted7rns** · 05-18-2006, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COSDEVSVT

The pics I've seen are in a car with a headliner. It *might* be getting close, but not sure if it is touching. Most likely would be a big gap in a stripped Focus.

That's what I was thinking as well.

**Knestis** · 05-18-2006, 10:36 PM

Autopower bars are historically strong (they tend to use bigger tube than is required by most rules), and easy to install. But they are not particularly tight to the bodyshell, which is critical to protecting it from excessive damage if/when the roll does happen. They aren't particularly elegant in their design, or well optimized to provide additional stiffness. Price comparisons between AP and custom cages can be misleading because almost nobody requests that a custom cage be as minimalist as the bolt-in options. Include shipping cost and the choices get even closer. But no - no real issues that I've heard of, like in terms of failures...

K

**airforcefocus** · 05-19-2006, 12:11 AM

Talked to Sir Andrew today and decided to send him the car for the cage. It just seems to make more sense. Thanks for the replies!

**Ted7rns** · 05-19-2006, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airforcefocus

Talked to Sir Andrew today and decided to send him the car for the cage. It just seems to make more sense. Thanks for the replies!

Chris,

You'll be very pleased with his cage.

**tracksidelogistics** · 06-18-2006, 10:05 PM

Do you have to have a cage/ bar to run this series?

**BUR_ZX3** · 06-18-2006, 11:51 PM

Yes. Any "race" with NASA requires a cage.

05-18-2006, 12:00 AM	#1
airforcefocus [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Moreno Valley , Calif. Posts: 5,827	Roll Cage: V. eleventy billion I'm at the point where I need to source a cage. There are very few good affordable builders in so-cal and the plan was to get an Autopower for a year or so until I can get the car to Andrew so he can build me one. I know that there have been MANY posts regarding the Autopower cages, but has there been one real world issue with this cage that anyone knows about? I'm not 100% happy with the design, but it's better than nothing for sure. Opinions please. Thanks. __________________ http://www.redlinetrackevents.com http://www.barberdrivingexperience.com http://www.stoutperformance.net coming soon! 2008 GTI MKV2008 F-150 FX42009 Focus Coupe

05-18-2006, 09:40 AM	#2
COSDEVSVT TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 993	Re: Roll Cage: V. eleventy billion I'm curious about this too ... After a quick NASA cage rule review, the rear braces going down to the rear from the main hoop might be closer to the minimum 30-degree included angle between them and the main hoop according to some installed pics I've recently seen and comparing it to other Spec Foci pics. Because of that minimum included angle, there doesn't appear to offer any rear shock tower stiffening benefit. The rear braces attach down low on the forward face of the rear wheel houses. The upper drivers side bar that connects the main hoop to the front hoop looks kinda low too ... but most race cars are using a lowered seating position anyway. __________________ '04 PW (#1) Competition Orange SVT 5-door Euro

05-18-2006, 12:48 PM	#3
airforcefocus [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Moreno Valley , Calif. Posts: 5,827	Re: Roll Cage: V. eleventy billion I'm going to sleeve and weld the cage in, once I get that done, I will add an X-brace to the A and B pillar bars. This "should" be good for most classes. __________________ http://www.redlinetrackevents.com http://www.barberdrivingexperience.com http://www.stoutperformance.net coming soon! 2008 GTI MKV2008 F-150 FX42009 Focus Coupe

05-18-2006, 01:27 PM	#4
Ted7rns Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thousand Oaks, California Posts: 4,167	Re: Roll Cage: V. eleventy billion How close does the Autopower cage fit towards the top of the car. Since most Spec Focus don't run with a headliner...there could be a big gap there. __________________ NASA Spec Focus Series Director \| NASA HPDE Instructor 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 Malibu Blue <23> NASA is dedicated to aspiring or accomplished Focus racers and track enthusiast.

05-18-2006, 01:36 PM	#5
COSDEVSVT TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 993	Re: Roll Cage: V. eleventy billion The pics I've seen are in a car with a headliner. It might be getting close, but not sure if it is touching. Most likely would be a big gap in a stripped Focus. __________________ '04 PW (#1) Competition Orange SVT 5-door Euro

05-18-2006, 10:36 PM	#7
Knestis Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 53	Re: Roll Cage: V. eleventy billion Autopower bars are historically strong (they tend to use bigger tube than is required by most rules), and easy to install. But they are not particularly tight to the bodyshell, which is critical to protecting it from excessive damage if/when the roll does happen. They aren't particularly elegant in their design, or well optimized to provide additional stiffness. Price comparisons between AP and custom cages can be misleading because almost nobody requests that a custom cage be as minimalist as the bolt-in options. Include shipping cost and the choices get even closer. But no - no real issues that I've heard of, like in terms of failures... K __________________ PhilsTireService.com Team GTI - ITB class winner - 2004 VIR 13 Hours, 2005 Summit Point 12 Hours - with KONI struts, OE and racing VW parts from Bildon Motorsport, and TOYO and HOOSIER tires from PhilsTireService.com

05-19-2006, 12:11 AM	#8
airforcefocus [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Moreno Valley , Calif. Posts: 5,827	Re: Roll Cage: V. eleventy billion Talked to Sir Andrew today and decided to send him the car for the cage. It just seems to make more sense. Thanks for the replies! __________________ http://www.redlinetrackevents.com http://www.barberdrivingexperience.com http://www.stoutperformance.net coming soon! 2008 GTI MKV2008 F-150 FX42009 Focus Coupe

06-18-2006, 10:05 PM	#10
tracksidelogistics Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 96	Re: Roll Cage: V. eleventy billion Do you have to have a cage/ bar to run this series?

06-18-2006, 11:51 PM	#11
BUR_ZX3 [FJ] Addict Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: On the Set of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Posts: 35,638	Re: Roll Cage: V. eleventy billion Yes. Any "race" with NASA requires a cage. __________________ Video from the final round of the Focus Challenge... Click Here

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