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Just read some interesting discussion about proposed changes to roll gace legislation over at the gravel boys (BMSC)

http://www.bmsc.com.au/forums/rallying-technical/25329-six-point-cages-illegal.html

Even though roll cages have always been a bit of a grey area, it seems that they are planning on preventing any new cars to be registered with cages after June 2011. From what I've read, existing cars will be OK, but anyone wanting to register a caged car after this time will not be able to do so, unless there is in place a rally rego scheme which specifically allows it. This means that rally guys and anyone who has a street driven track car will no longer be able to legally register the cars (apart from C rego in QLD for rally imports, not sure about other states).

There are ongoing discussions between clubs and the relevant governing bodies, to try and get this changed to something more workable. I'm not too concerned about banning daily drivers with 6 point cages - most of those are for show anyway. However, the legitimate guys who only drive their caged cars as part of their motorsport activities should not be penalised, and there needs to be a mechanism to allow it. Put simply, cars which compete in rallies (tarmac and gravel) need to have some form of rego to legally drive on public roads. (In QLD they won't let you use a UVP, so normal rego is really the only option for most). The motorsport governing bodies insist on roll cages in most cases, so it leaves us in a catch 22 situation.

I also wonder about how this affects mining companies who insist that all vehicles enterring their mining areas must be fitted with roll cages. I haven't read any of their lignt vehicle policies for a while, so am ot sure what style of cage is mandated, but this could have a big impact on them as well.

Well thats just sh1t. Where are CAMS and thei support of Club Level Motorsport? LOL, good to see the investigation and white paper they published back around 2007 in conjunction with state agencies was effective :(

CAMs who - LOL - what? Whats CAMs done for club level motorsport in the last 5 years - zippo - we've got some later correspondence they are looking at making National Rules for Speed Events. Well LOL its been in the CAMs manual for 10 years.

Heres a good heresay for you - if you are running Bathurst regularity in 2011 - if you break 2.35's pack up - piss off. CAMs rules!! I would consider if my Austin Wasp does 5 minutes 12 seconds that would be great, but if I happen to have an R33 that I expect 2.12's I would be pissed off. Dooh CAMs.

Tassie is one of the few states that has pretty easy to get along with rules for this kind of thing.

good old SI (special interest)rego. thats used for all new regestered cars running weld in cages.

SI allows for cars to be driven to and from events. on all the public roads inbetween stages ect and also for test and tune purposes. the car with the rego can only be driven 52 times a year and has to keep a current log book of kms date time ect.

one of the cars i work on has it and every now and then i take it out for a spin. ive never had any issues.

i belive the theroy behind it is that the SES or road side accedent people dont have the correct tools to get people out of a crashed car with a cage. while very few people have ever needed to be cut out of a cage car. well atleast in the past few years. i belive this is the excuse.

Might as well not have a CAM's license, takes three months for them to send out a log book sticker. In that time you've had to convince three event coordinators that you do have a current license which holds up the form entry ques and slows down scrutineering.

this is just in QLD right? no changes coming in NSW? I currently have 2 road registered cars with cages, on is full 6 point the other is half cage but does have side intrusion bars reaching forward. no way I want to take them off the road just because I enjoy the safety of a roll cage at the handful of events I do every year. that is just nuts.

This is about the adoption (finally) of the NCOP. All states except NSW have signed up already. NSW probably will too. If you get the cage approved/engineered under the current process before the NCOP comes into force, you're OK.

yeah, maybe they do...

but under our current scheme in QLD, the car gets fitted with a mod plate and its there for the car's life. Selling isn't a problem once the modification has been approved.

The way I look at it, mine's not legal now so these changes don't make alot of difference! lol

Edited by hrd-hr30

My impression is pretty much what Harry said

This document is not new, it's just that there have been ways around it in the past. When it is fully implemented next year, there is no way around it unless the individual state governments bring in a special rally rego scheme that allows deviation from the code. This has been a long time coming, but as far as I know, there are no real rally gego schemes happening in the near future. Apparently, QLD's existing "special interest" rego (the S-plates that you see on older cars) won't allow cages anymore. Technically, they don't allow cages now, but people have been able to get away with it.

This is about the adoption (finally) of the NCOP. All states except NSW have signed up already. NSW probably will too. If you get the cage approved/engineered under the current process before the NCOP comes into force, you're OK.

thanks harry. that clears things up. as usual they sprout bullshit about consultation with stakeholders which is nothing more than nonsense.

for anyone interested the important info is here http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb_ncop.aspx

lets hope against hope that NSW hold out!

page 33 has the relevant info. you can still have a 4 point cage with a bolt in front half (to make it 6 point) that you can bolt in for track days. my car with the 6 point mostly just has the rear half in for the street anyway as the front can be a bit intrusive for daily driving, so you just bolt in the front bit and away you go. :) the only hard part is driving from your home to the track with the front half installed.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/pdf/NCOP7_Section_LK_Seating_and_Occy_Protection_3Feb2006.pdf

page 33.

NSW still has rally rego (allows cages) for dirt rally cars AFAIK. Not for tarmac rally (none in NSW) and certainly not for track cars.

To be honest I just thought pretty much everyone got a friendly inspection station to pass them. except me of course, I am still on the old scheme and a total angel

that's just it - NSW's rally rego scheme has been dead for several years now, and I'm pretty sure that the ACT scheme is dead too. There has been much talk about a new scheme, but that is still on the drawing board (after many years). QLD has a scheme where imports can be registered as rally cars, and I think this will continue (C-plate rego). However, for locally delivered cars there really isn't a scheme, and QLD won't let you use UVP's.

I don't think that any state currently has a rally rego scheme which will allow you to have a 6 point cage fitted once these new regs come into play (not certain about Tassie)

As far as bolting in the front half of the cage for events goes, again this would be a problem where the events actually take part on public roads where rego is required. Not to mention liaison stages.

lets hope against hope that NSW hold out!

With NSW being one of the most draconian states and much more restrictive than most, you jest surely! I wouldn't put much faith in national guidelines either, in the ICV field, they've existed too for some years. At the coalface, when personal or state fiefdoms are at stake, the feds usually get rolled.

The experience nearly 20 years ago, getting six points with intrusion registered in NSW - even with feral engineeers at that stage - was nigh on impossible, removable members, being the simplest solution.

I'd take anything on BMSC with a large boulder of salt too, seems to be populated with a vast array of "sky is falling" types.

I also wonder about how this affects mining companies who insist that all vehicles enterring their mining areas must be fitted with roll cages. I haven't read any of their lignt vehicle policies for a while, so am ot sure what style of cage is mandated, but this could have a big impact on them as well.

Mine site's here in WA use a single hoop bolted to floor n pillar with no other supprting bar's , thats there idea of roll over protection

  • 2 months later...

It appears that the new regs are being rolled out early.

Just got word from an approved inspector that his 12 month renewal states that he must use the new national code, which stipulates LH8 for roll cages. No warning, just got it in his renewal.

Currently in the process of arranging C plates for the Civic but that is taking a bit of running around.

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