k-huevo
08-25-2006, 03:31 AM
This is the forum section where “mods” usually means performance enhancements but few give consideration to augmenting the MINI’s safety features. Fortunately the MINI is not like the aptly named Pontiac Fiero of yesteryear; I remember using the fire blanket or fire extinguisher on my girlfriend's Fiero on a regular basis. However, spontaneous under hood combustion happens to the MINI often enough to warrant a permanent sticky over on NAM http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73527 .
I’m not trying to fan the fires of fear, just illustrating a point that most of us would probably spend money on an exhaust before spending money on a 2.5 lb. fire extinguisher to carry in the car. I’ll admit to being one of those who put performance mods first despite having carried a fire extinguisher in other vehicles; better late than never. It’s better to have the extinguisher close at hand rather than buried in the boot.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN0291.JPG
The MINI is a very robust design; I’ve seen a few after very bad mishaps and the body shell integrity remained intact. This is not to say the MINI can’t benefit from a little back-up. If any car goes to the track for door to door racing it should have a roll cage, depending on the rules of the sanctioning body, it could be a weld-in or bolt-in cage. Of course a cage can’t protect alone, Nomex apparel, helmet with Hans device, arm & leg restraints, full fire suppression system etc. should be apart of the safety plan. On the street, the realities of daily usage would make a full cage along with all that cumbersome regalia very hard to enjoy. That’s where a roll bar (main hoop with braces) has an advantage; unfortunately there’s no substitute for the other stuff.
What I’ve said so far has been an objective analysis but not all decisions made when modding our MINIs are based on rationale; sometimes it’s just for aesthetic fulfillment. A bonus is when both approaches are satisfied. Here’s what I did for that extra body shell back-up:
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN0261.JPG
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN0264.JPG
Grant Barclay of Built-By-Bones in Colorado made this bolt-in roll bar for me a little differently than the normal Sport Bar model that allows the rear seats to be used. It is not a “show bar” and it's fully functional as an aid in the event of a collision or roll over.
I’m not trying to fan the fires of fear, just illustrating a point that most of us would probably spend money on an exhaust before spending money on a 2.5 lb. fire extinguisher to carry in the car. I’ll admit to being one of those who put performance mods first despite having carried a fire extinguisher in other vehicles; better late than never. It’s better to have the extinguisher close at hand rather than buried in the boot.
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN0291.JPG
The MINI is a very robust design; I’ve seen a few after very bad mishaps and the body shell integrity remained intact. This is not to say the MINI can’t benefit from a little back-up. If any car goes to the track for door to door racing it should have a roll cage, depending on the rules of the sanctioning body, it could be a weld-in or bolt-in cage. Of course a cage can’t protect alone, Nomex apparel, helmet with Hans device, arm & leg restraints, full fire suppression system etc. should be apart of the safety plan. On the street, the realities of daily usage would make a full cage along with all that cumbersome regalia very hard to enjoy. That’s where a roll bar (main hoop with braces) has an advantage; unfortunately there’s no substitute for the other stuff.
What I’ve said so far has been an objective analysis but not all decisions made when modding our MINIs are based on rationale; sometimes it’s just for aesthetic fulfillment. A bonus is when both approaches are satisfied. Here’s what I did for that extra body shell back-up:
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN0261.JPG
http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/gallery/files/2/0/DSCN0264.JPG
Grant Barclay of Built-By-Bones in Colorado made this bolt-in roll bar for me a little differently than the normal Sport Bar model that allows the rear seats to be used. It is not a “show bar” and it's fully functional as an aid in the event of a collision or roll over.