Regs For Space-Frames

[Cameron]

Hi all,

I'm working on a semi-space-frame for my Sports Libre 205, and just want to make sure I'm interpreting the regs properly. From what I can work out the mandatory items are main hoop, front / lateral hoops, backstays and a single diagonal fitted to the backstays. The optional members I want to install are door cross bars, roof diagonal, a "dashboard bar" and possibly windscreen pillar reinforcements.

I'm pretty sure I have the material specs right for the above - mandatory 45mm x 2.5mm and optional 40mm x 2.0mm, but what about extra members I install to make up the space-frame, triangulating suspension subframe mounts etc? Do these count as optional members, and so have to meet the criteria above, or am I free to specify my own tube dimensions? I'd hate to have to make these out of heavy material when I don't have to, likewise I wouldn't want to build the car and find that I don't meet the regs!

The way I see it (being biased towards interpreting the regs to suit me ) is that the members that make up the space-frame are not part of the ROPS, so don't have any minimum specifications imposed on them. Am I safe in assuming this?

[carl talbot]

I would call the MSA technical and get a confirmation on whatever you are going to build off the Cage
Just spoke to them regarding a Rally weld in cage and All tubing must meet their material specs and dimensions
but I wasn't building anything outside of the 'options' shown in their drawings

[animal]

if you look at a mallock the spaceframe is all 20mm box and tube with only the rollhoop being mandatory size. so i guess only the specified options in yours are applicable aswell? like carl has said though talk to msa tech is what you should do

[Cameron]

Thanks for the help guys, I'll figure out who to contact and take my questions to them.

[carl talbot]

Originally Posted by Cameron

Thanks for the help guys, I'll figure out who to contact and take my questions to them.

I usually just phone msa[01753765000] and ask to be put through to someone who can answer my tech question

[Cameron]

Just an update on this - I did eventually get an answer and currently the regs only apply to the ROPS part of the space-frame and not to the rest of the chassis members. Happy days.