For the benefit of all.

[De Bench]

6.1 Belts
Wearing of two shoulder straps and one lap strap ; anchorage points on the shell: two for the lap strap, two or possibly one symmetrical about the seat for the shoulder straps. These belts must be homologated by the FIA and comply with FIA standard n°8853/98 or 8854/98.
Furthermore, the belts used in circuit competitions must be equipped with turnbuckle release systems.
On the other hand, it is recommended that for competitions which include public road sections, the belts be equipped with push button release systems.
The ASNs may homologate mounting points on the safety cage when this cage is being homologated, on condition that they are tested.

6.2 Installation
It is prohibited for the seat belts to be anchored to the seats or their supports.
- A safety harness may be installed on the anchorage points of the series car.
The recommended geometrical locations of the anchorage points are shown in Drawing n° 253-61.



In the downwards direction, the shoulder straps must be directed towards the rear and must be installed in such a way that they do not make an angle of more than 45° to the horizontal from the upper rim of the backrest, although it is recommended that this angle should not exceed 10°.
The maximum angles in relation to the centre-line of the seat are 20° divergent or convergent.
If possible, the anchorage point originally mounted by the car manufacturer on the C-pillar should be used.
Anchorage points creating a higher angle to the horizontal must not be used unless the seat meets the requirements of the FIA standard.
In that case, the shoulder straps of 4-point safety harnesses may be installed on the rear seat lap strap anchorage points originally mounted by the car manufacturer. For a 4-point harness, the shoulder straps must be installed crosswise symmetrically about the centre-line of the front seat. A safety harness must not be installed on a seat having no head
restraint or having a backrest with integrated head restraint (no opening between backrest and head restraint).
The lap and crotch straps should pass not over the sides of the seat but through the seat, in order to wrap and hold the pelvic region over the greatest possible surface.
The lap straps must fit tightly in the bend between the pelvic crest and the upper thigh. Under no conditions must they be worn over the region of the abdomen.
Holes may be made in the series seat. Care must be taken that the straps cannot be damaged through chafing against sharp edges.
- If installation on the series anchorage points is impossible for the shoulder and/or crotch straps, new anchorage points must be installed on the shell or the chassis, as near as possible to the centre-line of the rear wheels for the shoulder straps.
The shoulder straps may also be fixed to the safety cage or to a reinforcement bar by means of a loop, and may also be fixed to the top anchorage points of the rear belts, or be fixed or leaning on a transversal reinforcement welded between the backstays of the cage (see Drawing 253-66).

In this case, the use of a transversal reinforcement is subject to the following conditions:
- The transversal reinforcement shall be a tube measuring at least 38 mm x 2.5 mm or 40 mm x 2 mm, made from cold drawn seamless carbon steel, with a minimum yield strength of 350 N/mm2.
- The height of this reinforcement must be such that the shoulder straps, towards the rear, are directed downward with an angle of between 10° and 45° to the horizontal from the rim of the backrest, an angle of 10° being recommended.
- The straps may be attached by looping or by screws, but in the latter case an insert must be welded for each mounting point (see Drawing 253-67 for the dimensions).

These inserts will be positioned in the reinforcement tube and the straps will be attached to them using bolts of M12 8.8 or 7/16UNF specification.
- Each anchorage point must be able to withstand a load of 1470 daN, or 720 daN for the crotch straps.
In the case of one anchorage point for two straps, the load considered will be equal to the sum of the required loads.
- For each new anchorage point created, a steel reinforcement plate with a surface area of at least 40 cm2 and a thickness of at least 3 mm must be used.
- Principles of mounting to the chassis / monocoque:
1) General mounting system: see Drawing 253-62.


6.3 Use
A safety harness must be used in its homologation configuration ithout any modifications or removal of parts, and in conformity ith the manufacturer's instructions.
The effectiveness and longevity of safety belts are directly related o the manner in which they are installed, used and maintained.
The belts must be replaced after every severe collision, and henever the webbing is cut, frayed or weakened due to the
actions of chemicals or sunlight. hey must also be replaced if metal parts or buckles are bent, eformed or rusted.
Any harness which does not function perfectly must be replaced.

ARTICLE 8 : SAFETY CAGES
8.1 General :
The fitting of a safety cage is compulsory.
It may be either :
a) Fabricated in compliance with the requirements of the following articles ;
b) Homologated or Certified by an ASN according to the homologation regulations for safety cages ;
A homologation document or certificate, approved by the ASN and signed by qualified technicians representing the manufacturer, must be presented to the event's scrutineers.
Any new cage which is homologated by an ASN and is on sale, as from 01.01.2003, must be identified by means of an identification plate affixed to it by the manufacturer; this identification plate must be neither copied nor moved (i.e. embedded, engraved or selfdestroying sticker).
The identification plate must bear the name of the manufacturer, the homologation or certification number of the ASN homologation form or certificate and the individual series number of the manufacturer.
A certificate bearing the same numbers must be carried on board and be presented to the event's scrutineers.
c) Homologated by the FIA according to the homologation regulations for safety cages.
It must be the subject of an extension (VO) to the homologation form of the vehicle homologated by the FIA.
The manufacturer's identification and a series number must be clearly visible on all cages homologated and sold after 01.01.1997. The homologation form of the cage must specify how and where this information is indicated, and the purchasers must receive a numbered certificate corresponding to this.
For the following cars, the cage must compulsorily be homologated by the FIA :
Super 1600 Kit Variant, Super 2000 Kit Variant, Super 2000 Rally Kit Variant, World Rally Car Variant.
Any modification to a homologated or certified safety cage is forbidden.
To be considered as a modification, any process made to the cage by machining, welding, that involves a permanent modification of the material or the safety cage.
All repairs to a homologated or certified safety cage, damaged after an accident must be carried out by the manufacturer of the rollcage or with his approval.
Tubes must not carry fluids or any other item.
The safety cage must not unduly impede the entry or exit of the driver and co-driver.
Members may intrude into the occupant's space in passing through the dashboard and trim.
8.2 Definitions :
8.2.1 Safety cage :
Multi-tubular structure installed in the cockpit and fitted close to the bodyshell, the function of which is to reduce the deformation of the bodyshell (chassis) in case of an impact.
8.2.2 Rollbar :
Tubular frame forming a hoop with two mounting feet.
8.2.3 Main rollbar (drawing 253-1) :
Transversal and near-vertical single piece tubular hoop located across the vehicle just behind the front seats.
8.2.4 Front rollbar (drawing 253-1) :
Similar to main rollbar but its shape follows the windscreen pillars and top screen edge.
8.2.5 Lateral rollbar (drawing 253-2) :
Near-longitudinal and near-vertical single piece tubular hoop located along the right or left side of the vehicle, the front pillar of which follows the windscreen pillar and the rear pillar of which is near-vertical and located just behind the front seats.
8.2.6 Lateral half-rollbar (drawing 253-3) :
Identical to the lateral rollbar but without the rear pillar.
8.2.7 Longitudinal member :
Near-longitudinal tube joining the upper parts of the front and main rollbars.
8.2.8 Transversal member :
Near-transversal tube joining the upper parts of the lateral halfrollbars or of the lateral rollbars.
8.2.9 Diagonal member :
Transversal tube between one of the top corners of the main rollbar, or one of the ends of
the transversal member in the case of a lateral rollbar, and a the lower mounting point on the opposite side of the rollbar.
Or The upper end of a backstay and the lower mounting point of the other backstay.
8.2.10 Removable members :
Members of a safety cage which must be able to be removed.
8.2.11 Cage reinforcement :
Member added to the safety cage to improve its strength.
8.2.12 Mounting foot :
Plate welded to the end of a rollbar tube to permit its bolting and/or welding to the bodyshell/chassis, usually onto a reinforcement plate.
8.2.13 Reinforcement plate :
Metal plate fixed to the bodyshell/chassis under a rollbar mounting foot to better spread the load onto the bodyshell/chassis.


8.2.14 Gusset :
Reinforcement for a bend or junction made from bent sheet metal with a U shape (drawing 253-34) the thickness of which must not be less than 1.0 mm. The ends of this reinforcement must be situated at a distance from the top of the angle of between 2 to 4 times the diameter of the biggest of the tubes joined.

8.3 Specifications
8.3.1 Basic structure
The basic structure must be made according to one of the following designs :
* 1 main rollbar + 1 front rollbar + 2 longitudinal members + 2 backstays + 6 mounting feet (drawing 253-1)
or
* 2 lateral rollbars + 2 transversal members + 2 backstays + 6 mounting feet (drawing 253-2)
or
* 1 main rollbar + 2 lateral half-rollbars + 1 transversal member + 2 backstays + 6 mounting feet (drawing 253-3)



The vertical part of the main rollbar must be as close as possible to the interior contour of the bodyshell.
The front pillar of a front rollbar or of a lateral rollbar must follow the windscreen pillars and have only one bend with its lower vertical part.
In order to build the safety cage, the connections of the transversal members to the lateral rollbars, the connections of the longitudinal members to the front and main rollbars, as well as the connection of a semi-lateral rollbar to the main rollbar must be situated at the roof level.
In all cases, there must not be more than 4 removable connections at the roof level.
The backstays must be attached near the roofline and near the top outer bends of the main rollbar, on both sides of the car, possibly by means of removable connections.
They must form an angle of at least 30° with the vertical, must run rearwards and be straight and as close as possible to the interior side panels of the bodyshell.
8.3.2 Design :
Once the basic structure is defined, it must be completed with compulsory members and reinforcements (see article 253-8.3.2.1), to which optional members and reinforcements may be added (see article 253-8.3.2.2).

8.3.2.1 Compulsory members and reinforcements :

8.3.2.1.1 Diagonal member :
Cars homologated as from 01/01/2002 :
The cage must have two diagonal members on the main rollbar according to Drawing 253-7.
Members must be straight and may be removable. The lower end of the diagonal must join the main rollbar or the
backstay no further than 100 mm from the mounting foot (see Drawing 253-52 for the measurement).
The upper end of the diagonal must join the main rollbar no further than 100 mm from its junction with the backstay, or the backstay no more than 100 mm from its junction with the main rollbar.

8.3.2.1.2 Doorbars :
One or more longitudinal members must be fitted at each side of the vehicle according to Drawings 253-8, 253-9, 253-10 and 253-11 (Drawings 253-9, 253-10 and 253-11 for cars homologated as from 01/01/2007).
The side protection must be as high as possible, but its upper attachment point must not be higher than half the height of the door opening measured from its base.
If these upper attachment points are located in front of or behind the door opening, this height limitation is also valid for the corresponding intersection of the strut and the door opening.
In the case of doorbars in the form of an "X" (Drawing 253-9), it is recommended that the lower attachment points of the cross-struts be fixed directly onto the longitudinal member of the bodyshell/chassis and that at least one part of the "X" be a singlepiece bar.
The connection of the doorbars to the windscreen pillar reinforcement (Drawing 253-15) is authorised.

8.3.2.1.3 Roof reinforcement :
Cars homologated as from 01/01/2005 only :
The upper part of the safety cage must comply with one of Drawings 253-12, 253-13 and 253-14.
The reinforcements may follow the curve of the roof.
For competitions without co-drivers, in the case of Drawing 253-12 only, only one diagonal member may be fitted but its front connection must be on the driver’s side.
The ends of the reinforcements must be less than 100 mm from the junction between rollbars and members (not applicable to the top of the V formed by reinforcements in Drawings 253-13 and 253-14).



8.3.2.1.4 Windscreen pillar reinforcement :
Cars homologated as from 01/01/2006 only :
It must be fitted on each side of the front rollbar if dimension "A" is greater than 200 mm (Drawing 253-15).
It may be bent on condition that it is straight in side view and that the angle of the bend does not exceed 20°.
Its upper end must be less than 100 mm from the junction between the front (lateral) rollbar and the longitudinal (transversal) member (see Drawing 253-52 for the measurement). Its lower end must be less than 100 mm from the (front) mounting foot of front (lateral) rollbar.


8.3.2.1.5 Reinforcement of bends and junctions :
The junctions between:
- the diagonal members of the main rollbar,
- the roof reinforcements (configuration of Drawing 253-12 and only for cars homologated as from 01/01/2007),
-the doorbars (configuration of Drawing 253-9),
- the doorbars and the windscreen pillar reinforcement (Drawing 253-15),
must be reinforced by a minimum of 2 gussets complying with article 253-8.2.14.

If the doorbars and the windscreen pillar reinforcement are not situated in the same plane, the reinforcement may be made of fabricated sheet metal, provided it complies with dimensions in Article 253-8.2.14.

8.3.2.2 Optional members and reinforcements :
Except other indications given in article 253-8.3.2.1, members and reinforcements shown in Drawings 253-12 to 253-21 and 253-23 to 253-33 are optional and may be installed as desired by the constructor.
They must be either welded or installed by means of dismountable joints.
All members and reinforcements mentioned above may be used separately or combined with one another.
8.3.2.2.3 Backstay diagonals (Drawing 253-21) :
The configuration of Drawing 253-21 may be replaced with that of Drawing 253-22 if a roof reinforcement complying with Drawing 253-14 is used.
8.3.2.2.4 Front suspension mounting points (Drawing 253-25):
The extensions must be connected to the front suspension top mounting points.
8.3.2.2.5 Transversal members (Drawing 253-26 to 253-30) :
Transversal members fitted on the main rollbar or between the backstays may be used for the safety harness mountings.
For members shown on Drawings 253-26 and 253-27, the angle between the central leg and the vertical must be at least 30°. The transversal member fixed to the front rollbar must not encroach upon the space reserved for the occupants.
It may be placed as high as possible but its lower edge must not be higher than the uppermost point of the dashboard.
For cars homologated as from 01/01/2007, it must not be positioned below the steering column.
8.3.2.2.6 Reinforcement of bends or junctions (Drawings 253-31 to 253-34) :
Reinforcements must be made of tubes or bent-sheet metal with U shape complying with article 253-8.2.14.
The thickness of the components forming a reinforcement must not be less than 1.0 mm.
The ends of the tubular reinforcements must not be more than half way down or along the members to which they are attached, except for those of the junction of the front rollbar, which may join the junction of the door strut/front rollbar;




8.3.2.5 Additional constraints :
Longitudinally, the safety cage must be entirely contained between the mounting points of the front and rear suspension elements carrying the vertical loads (springs and shock absorbers).
Supplementary reinforcements exceeding these limits are authorised between the safety cage and the anchorage points of the rear anti-roll bars on the bodyshell/chassis.
Each of these anchorage points may be connected to the safety cage by a single tube with dimensions of 30 x 1.5 mm.
For cars homologated as from 01/01/2002 :
In frontal projection, reinforcements of bends and junctions of the upper corners of the front roll-cage must be only visible through the area of the windscreen described by Drawing 253-48.
For all the safety cages for "Super Production" and "Super 2000" cars homologated as from 01/01/2000 and for all the safety cages for rally cars homologated as from 01/01/2001 :
The presence of the cage reinforcements in the door aperture must comply with the following criteria (Drawing 253-49) :
- Dimension A must be a minimum of 300 mm
- Dimension B must be a maximum of 250 mm
- Dimension C must be a maximum of 300 mm
- Dimension D (measured from the upper corner of the windscreen, without the seal) must be a maximum of 100 mm
- Dimension E must not be more than half the height of the door aperture (H).


8.3.2.6 Mounting of rollcages to the bodyshell/chassis :
Minimum mounting points are:
- 1 for each pillar of the front rollbar ;
- 1 for each pillar of the lateral rollbars or lateral half-rollbars ;
- 1 for each pillar of the main rollbar ;
- 1 for each backstay.
To achieve an efficient mounting to the bodyshell, the original interior trim may be modified around the safety cages and their mountings by cutting it away or by distorting it.
However, this modification does not permit the removal of complete parts of upholstery or trim.
Where necessary, the fuse box may be moved to enable a rollcage to be fitted.
Mounting points of the front, main, lateral rollbars or lateral halfrollbars:
Each mounting point must include a reinforcement plate at least 3 mm thick.
Each mounting foot must be attached by at least three bolts on a steel reinforcement plate at least 3 mm thick and of at least 120 cm2 area which is welded to the bodyshell.
For cars homologated as from 01/01/2007, the area of 120 cm2 must be the contact surface between the reinforcement plate and the bodyshell.
Examples according to Drawings 253-50 to 253-56.
For Drawings 253-50 and 253-52, the reinforcement plate need not necessarily be welded to the bodyshell.
Fixing bolts must have a minimum diameter of M8 and a minimum quality of 8.8 (ISO standard).
Fasteners must be self-locking or fitted with lock washers.
Mounting points of the backstays :
Each backstay must be secured by a minimum of 2 M8 bolts (2008) with mounting feet of at least 60 cm2 area (Drawing 253-57), or secured by a single bolt in double shear (Drawing 253-5, provided it is of adequate section and strength and provided that a bush is welded into the backstay.
These are minimum requirements.
In addition, more fasteners may be used, the support plates of the mounting feet may be welded to reinforcement plates, the safety cage (as defined by article 253-8.3.1) may be welded to the bodyshell/chassis.
Special case :
For non steel bodyshells/chassis, any welding between the cage and the bodyshell/chassis is prohibited, only the bonding of the reinforcement plate on the bodyshell/chassis is permitted.



http://www.customcages.co.u...20Evo%207&type=2004%20Int

http://www.fia.com/resources/documents/994546964__AppJ_Art_253.pdf

[MrAction]

Like the new cage reach for the new car Mr. Fia.

[AutoSport]

Notwithstaning the design, note the stringent application that has caused the Citroen team to be penalized in the recent Rallye Australia for straying very slightly from the specs.