Race cars and regular cars may appear to be the same, but there is actually a huge difference in the components of both vehicles.
Race cars are much lighter than regular cars because they need to travel as fast as possible. So, race car manufacturers remove all the unnecessary components that a driver won’t need on the race track. However, they still need to make sure that the driver’s safety is not compromised. One of the best ways to do this is to install a roll cage.
What exactly is a roll cage?
A roll cage is a steel frame that is designed and engineered to protect drivers and passengers from getting injured when the car rolls over. It is built around the passenger compartment and appears to be a bunch of steel bars welded together to form a cage.
Aside from race cars, rolls cages are also often seen in off-road trucks. A few manufacturers install them on regular cars, as well. This is because regular cars have very little chances of rolling over on the street.
Why should race car drivers install a roll cage?
While the roll cage sounds like a very important component of a race car, a lot of drivers do not actually have it installed. They think that bringing the car to a shop is a waste of time and money. But, there are several reasons that might convince you to have a roll cage installed.
1. It keeps you safe.
This is the most important and most obvious reason there is. Race cars have very high chances of rolling over on the race track. You can bump into other high-speed cars, and this can send you flying over the ground. When your car falls to the ground, the metal body of your car may get deformed if it does not have a roll cage. It will be hard to get you out of the vehicle and your injuries will not get treatment immediately. This could lead to permanent injury and will destroy your chances of building a career in racing. Plus, it will cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills.
2. It is mandated by the NHRA.
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is the body that governs the sport of racing. It has outlined a number of rules and regulations that reach racer must follow in order to compete at any competition in any part of the world. One of their most important rules includes the installation of a roll cage for vehicles that runs faster than 135mph.
There are a lot of professionals who can help you design and install a roll cage on your car. You simply need to give them a call and they will help you do it the right way. If you don’t want to spend too much money, you can also install it on your own. However, you need to be extra careful in following the steps, so you can ensure that you are doing it right.