As stipulated elsewhere on our website, all convertibles, cabriolets, and open-top vehicles must have rollover protection. Appropriate types of rollover protection include fixed roll bars, fixed roll cages, and roll bars that deploy automatically in the event of a collision or rollover. Removable hard tops are NOT considered structural and therefore NOT sufficient.
The following is a partial list of the vehicles that we understand to be equipped with suitable factory-installed rollover protection:
- Audi A4/S4
- Audi A5/S5
- Audi TT
- BMW 3 series including M3 (1999‐present)
- BMW 6 series including M6 (2003‐present)
- BMW Z3 if also equipped with factory-optional pop-up roll bars
- BMW Z4
- Chrysler Crossfire
- Dodge Viper
- Honda S2000
- Jaguar XK8/XKR, F-TYPE
- Lamborghini Murcielago
- Mazda Miata (3rd & 4th Generations >>2006‐present)
- Mercedes C class, CLK, S Class, and SLK
- Mercedes SL – current models with pop-up roll bars only
- MINI 2009+
- Nissan 350/370Z roadster
- Porsche Boxster
- Porsche 996, 997, 991
- Saab 9-3 (2004 & later)
- Volvo C70
- VW New Beetle, Eos
If you are using 4-, 5- or 6-point racing harnesses that will hold you upright in the event of a rollover, the top of all occupants’ helmets must fall below the line between the top of the windshield and the top of the roll bar for the roll bar to provide full protection. In motorsport, this is referred to as the “broomstick test” because it is typical practice to rest a broomstick across the top of the windshield and the roll hoop while the occupants are seated in the vehicle to determine whether the roll hoop is high enough. If the top of any occupants’ helmet is above this plane, the roll bar is not going to provide sufficient protection.
Sufficient roll hoop height can also be an issue for tall drivers, in part because the roll hoop is designed by the manufacturer for street use (driving without the additional height of a helmet). It is your responsibility to confirm you have sufficient roll bar height before registering for our events.
WARNING: Please DO NOT deploy pop-up rollover protection without knowledge of where they will end up. In some cases, deployment will puncture the rear window or the cloth roof. In other cases, rollover protection cannot be deployed more than once (meaning it would have to be replaced). Again, it your responsibility to confirm you have sufficient roll hoop height before registering for our events.
The above is a well-vetted list, but we recognize other cars with sufficient factory or production rollover protection may exist. If you are not certain your convertible, cabriolet, or open-top vehicle meets the above minimum safety criteria, please contact us BEFORE registering for an event.