Roll bar/roll cage padding?

[widebody911]

So I dropped by the local 'speed shop' today to see if they had roll bar padding. They actually had stuff that was SFI rated. It was 1 1/2", 1/2-round, very firm - and $26 for a 3' section!!! Holy cow! I looked online, and other places have similar stuff, but non-SFI rated, for ~$11 for a 3' section.

The other stuff they had looked kinda like the water noodles kids play with in swimming pools; it ws 1 5/8" ID, which I'm not sure would fit well with 1 1/2" tubing, but it was a lot cheaper. I've seen this type of stuff in a lot of cars. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen the half-round stuff in anyone's cars.

So, how important is the SFI rating? Based on my personal observations, I'd have to say 'not very'. I'm thinking of getting the SFI "clone" stuff to do my knee bar, header and the tops of the side hoops, and the water-noodle stuff for everything else.

Thoughts? What's in your track car?

[chrisp]

I don't have any in my car yet but I will in the next 3-4 weeks.

If you need SFI certified padding for any organization you race with then get SFI rated stuff. As described to me by a manufacturer of this stuff SFI vs. non-SFI (but the same hardness) is the same.

The difference you are seeing is not because of the SFI cert but rather that dealers mark up. SFI decals are under $3 a piece for the padding manufacturer. So, the place that sells non-SFI for $11 should (if they chose to sell it) sell SFI stuff for $14-$16.

I would not recommend buying the softer stuff. It doesn't absorb much energy. Keep in mind what's inside your helmet. It's a foam that's similar in hardness to the harder roll cage padding you've found. If it's good enough for your head then it should be fine for your knees, elbows, helmet/head, etc.

There's also an FIA rated padding. Similar in composition but it's a different shape (square with rounded corners) and it's a little more money.

[addictionMS]

SFI rated around the head it absorbs the impact better, noodle like stuff everywhere else is what I have.

Jim

[thrown_hammer]

I have the "water noodle" stuff but my rollbar doesn't come past the front seats.

[Todd Simpson]

The noodle stuff is in my car with the spendy stuff about to be ordered.

I've got lots of places to hit my head, arms and legs so I'm gonna use it everywhere.

I won't spend extra for the SFI tags though, I'm only DE'ing.

I'll admit I like the neater look too. The noodle stuff and zip ties look pretty ratty in the areas where you climb in.

[jpachard]

The noodle stuff is useless in a crash. The force of a crash will compact the noodle stuff instantly, thus no protection. I know this stuff is expensive but the hospital visits add up much quicker.

Cheers, James

[Jack Olsen]

You want the high-density stuff. The 'nerf' padding is not going to save your noggin in an impact.

That said, there's SFI-rated, and stuff that's just like the SFI-rated, but cheaper. I have SFI around where I sit, and Racer Parts Wholesale's $11-a-length stuff elswehwere. I'm happy with both of them, but then, nobody's lit my car on fire yet.

Link to Racer Parts Wholesale Padding

[nostatic]

I used the dense SFI-rated stuff on my rollbar. Only padded the front-facing parts where I might impact. Not that much of a difference in price...why cheap out on safety stuff?

[jakermc]

What about this stuff:

http://www.cdoc.com/detail.asp?id=15071&str=2000-0089-0059&name=Roll+Cage+Padding

[Dantilla]

The good stuff is on my front hoop.
The rear hoop has the less expensive stuff.

I hope I never test any of it.

[aigel]

Summit Racing www.summitracing.com sells the SFI rated stuff for about $15 a 3 piece section. Do not go with the bratwurst looking stuff, especially if you drive your car on the road with no helmet!

George

[chrisp]

George...good point about street driving!

The CDOC stuff looks to be the soft stuff. It's a 12 pack of 3 ft sections for $36. You will not find the hard stuff for under $11 or the SFI hard stuff under $15 per 3ft section.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Pipe-insulation padding works well with a bicycle helmet. Amazing where people will try to save $50...

Stephan

[Quicksilver]

To be of any value the foam has to be dense enough that punching it as hard as you can will almost hurt. If it compresses easier then that then the foam will compress during an accident and all of the real energy will be absorbed as you body parts break when they hit the metal contained inside the foam.

If it is SFI rated then you know it will absorb the maximum quantity of energy as your body smacks it during an accident. Plus it will hold together so the second time your limp body hits it there will be some additional protection.

(I think my body is worth a little more then $3 a foot but I might think about going cheap on the passenger side though...)

Wayne

[Quicksilver]

Originally posted by Quicksilver
. . .

(I think my body is worth a little more then $3 a foot but I might think about going cheap on the passenger side though...)

Wayne

Wife came in and read the last little bit and then said, "Thank you!" and started thumping me. I guess she has no appreciation for my thrifty ways.

Wayne

[thrown_hammer]

Thats it! I am pulling the "water noodle" padding out tonight.

[jluetjen]

The rear hoop has the less expensive stuff. -- I hope I never test any of it.

Trust me -- you will remember these words if and when you have an accident -- in the brief moment before you hit. It would be really sad if that was your last thought in this existance. (Trust me on this, I've had two on-track accidents with guard rails.)

Just because SFI or FIA approved foam looks just like the other stuff -- it's not. The difference is more then in the label. The formulation (and the resulting energy absorbsion) of the products are different. I agree, the SFI or FIA foam is not soft cuddly foam that you can squeeze. It is a hard foam -- it needs to be to absorb the energies involved in a high speed accident. As far as where you put it, trust me, your limbs will travel a lot farther then you think in a serious accident. Depending on the design of your seat and head&neck restraint, your head will also travel within a wide envelope. It's a lot better to pad everything in site then to whack a hand or leg on a section of uncovered tubing. (Once again -- BTDT)

Plan for the worst when it comes to safety. Hoping for the best won't help you when the worst happens.

[Chuck Moreland]

I use the half-round type made by kirkey. It's high density, like small-cell styrafoam and doesn't burn. The half-round eases installation when the bar is close to the headliner, etc. It's stickey back but I also secure it with zip ties. About $22 / 3 ft from summit.

[widebody911]

Perfect timing on that post, Chuck - did you do that on purpose?

I'm going to use the half-round on the 'head' and knee areas, and the water-noodle stuff everywhere else.

[Todd Simpson]

Here's the stuff I found that's SFI approved but not SFI labeled, $15.

http://www.cdoc.com/detail.asp?id=8604&str=2000-0089-0059&name=Roll+Cage+Padding

SFI approved *and* labeled for $20.70.

http://www.cdoc.com/detail.asp?id=8607&str=2000-0089-0059&name=Roll+Cage+Padding