Planet 9

**Tess Tickle** · #1 06-26-2009, 05:05 AM

Well, Suppose you could say that I can't stop modifying.
Problem in the UK is that nobody makes a Half or Full Roll Cage for the Cayman. So the options are buy a Heigo from Germany, but this has it's problems...1) Price,.... 2) Waiting Time.... (some people have been waiting 6 months)
So using contacts from my rallying days I spoke to Roger at R&D (Custom Cages) in Daventry. Followed by taking my car down last week for them to evaluate the job.
Well, I've now lost my car for 2-3 weeks as I have taken it down on Tuesday of this week for them to use to make a new Bolt in cage.

Watch this space and I'll try and post photos as the project goes through.

Nitro8472 · #2 06-26-2009, 08:27 AM

Nice. How much did they quote you? How much did Heigo quote you?

**Tess Tickle** · #3 06-26-2009, 08:44 AM

The one I was looking at from Heigo was Euro 1250-1400 depending on what configuration I went for.
Hoping for a bill of no more than £650, with double removable diagonals, front belt bar and rear strut brace all built in.

Pint of Brew · #4 07-01-2009, 08:10 AM

This partially confirms my suspicion that there is no such thing as a bolt-in rear strut brace without a cage around it.

Anyone know if there is such an option?

Chris R. · #5 07-01-2009, 09:26 PM

I would have thought that the heigo would be cost effective for you guys in Europe...
I bought a Heigo for just over $1000 US and shipped it to Canada for $100.
As always Tess, i'm sure your's will be great.
good luck!

**Tess Tickle** · #6 07-07-2009, 02:50 PM

Feels very odd....I've been without my car for 2 weeks now, and as I disapear to the Canary Islands on thursday for 10 days it will be a further 2 weeks before I pick my car up from Custom Cages. I wonder what sort of job they've done???.....

**Tess Tickle** · #7 07-21-2009, 02:47 PM

Ok A little "up date" on the progress of the cage.
We have had a few "issues" in the past with what’s available on the market today, and wanted to look at these following area's
Main roll hoop
a) Blocking rearward vision by being to low in the car, &
b) We ideally wanted a minimum of 3 bolts in points on each leg to mount the Main Hoop in.
Rear Stays,
Again we ideally wanted not to cut the rear turret tops and also needed the centre section i.e. the double diagonal to be easily and quickly removable, to allow full access to the engine bay.
We also required the seat belt bar to be closer, and be Hans friendly, rather than the long shoulder straps used on other manufactures examples.

Here are a few photo’s of the first prototype (note that in these photo’s we have only tacked the tubes together.)

The top horizontal bar shown will not be in the final, it's only there to hold the prototype together, but from the rear you can't see the main hoop, which is good as it will give you full rearward vision.

Main leg mounting of the main hoop.

Detail showing the existing bolts that we are utilising with position of 3rd mounting shown.

Rear strut top, neat finish will stay under trim.

Showing rear 3 quarter view, again the top horizontal bar will not be in the final version.

We are looking to keep the finished item at around £600 (approx $980) that will be with a gloss powder coat in various colours to choice....yes including Yellow Karel..!!

More very soon

**KS-CS** · #8 07-21-2009, 03:47 PM

Allan -

Looks promising . . . so you're saying that you'll be able to replace the strut tower covers over the rear stay supports without cutting them? That would be an excellent solution.

I really wish you'd get a U.S. distributor for all your goodies. . .

**JackWood** · #9 07-22-2009, 01:41 AM

That's looking very nice Allan. Looks like you've put a lot of thpught into it. Nice and neat too. Just make sure they do a top-class job with the finish too.

So is it going to be ready for Silverstone?

**Tess Tickle** · #10 07-22-2009, 01:57 AM

Originally Posted by JackWood

So is it going to be ready for Silverstone?

Looks like it could be fitted the day before i.e. Monday 3rd August....nothing like leaving it tight..

All depends on the powder coaters

**Tess Tickle** · #11 07-22-2009, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by KS-CS

I really wish you'd get a U.S. distributor for all your goodies. . .

One day I'll get my backside back over there and see what can be done, as I need an American dealer for the seats that we make as well as all the Cayman/Subaru/Mitsubishi stuff that we do.....ummm one day.

**Tess Tickle** · #12 07-22-2009, 06:51 AM

Sorry double post

**Tess Tickle** · #13 08-18-2009, 03:27 PM

New Update August 2009
Cage shown fitted into my car.

Diagonal and cross brace are removable as one piece.

Main Hoop is tucked away in roof lining.

Detail of foot on main hoop which is attached with 3 bolts/side.
Also shows triangular mounting plates which moves the standard seat belts back and up.
Foot is also mounted on alloy spacer.

Belt bar has nice belt holders attached.

harajuka · #14 10-12-2009, 08:10 PM

Wow, that looks great! Are you planning on selling these? If yes what's the cost with shipping to the US?

**Bodhii** · #15 10-12-2009, 09:02 PM

Are U putting any protection along the driver's doors and bracing the front? You can't use light weight doors unless you protect the driver's sides. In the USA no association will consider anything but a full cage. Is just a very good roll bar enough for racing in the UK?