Balaclava

Even if a fire proof helmet is being used it’s strongly advisable to use an FIA approved fire proof balaclava under your helmet. At some events their use is compulsory and we strongly believe every driver should wear one. They protect you against burns to the face and also protect your helmet against you (sweat and stubble). The use of a balaclava will help prolong the life of the helmet lining. Costs range from £15-£80.

Racing Gloves

Fireproof gloves not only give you better grip on the steering wheel they provide an extra level of safety. At some events gloves are compulsory. Costs range from £25-£90.

Racing Boots

As with gloves a good pair of fireproof boots will provide another level of safety as well as give a better control on the pedals. Costs range from £50-£200.

Underwear

Most major events will require Flame resistant Nomex or Carbon X underwear. Don’t skimp on this just because it’s out of sight – it has a key role to play. It is next to your skin so in a fire it is your last line of defence – and it increases your protection against serious burns by up to 50%. Any fabrics other than those developed to provide fire protection (e.g. Nomex) should be avoided because they will transmit the heat to your skin or melt and stick to it. Vest tops can be purchased in short sleeve as well as long. Feet should not be forgotten and fireproof socks should also be worn. Costs range from £30-£100.

Underwear also absorbs sweat – which helps to protect the suit.

Vehicle Preparation

Roll Over Protection

Elise Trophy cars must comply with the MSA regulations for Production cars, Touring cars and sports cars up to 2000cc. all the rollover bars and cages described on this page meet these requirements.

Roll cages are normally classified by the number of points of contact with the original car’s structure. For example: The standard Lotus rollover hoop is a 4 pt bar, because it has 2 mounting points on the main hoop and 2 on the backstays. A full cage for an Elise normally has 6 pts of contact.

The Blue book specifies minimum properties for the steel tube used in the manufacture of roll bars and cages. This material is cold drawn seamless carbon steel tube (CDS), with a minimum yield strength of 350N/mm2 Most club level bars and cages are made from this material. Cages can also be made from an Aerospace grade tube known as T45, this is a cold drawn carbon manganese steel alloy. T45 is much stronger than CDS and as a result cages and bars can be made lighter for the same strength. Cages made from this material are also considerably more expensive than those made from CDS.

Because the Elise has an aluminum main tub, all rollover bars and cages, including the OEM std rollover hoop are bolted to the vehicle structure. It is essential that the bolts used are of the correct material and grade. It is strongly recommended that any roll over protection is secured using bolts supplied by the cage manufacturer.

Suitable padding should be fitted to any tubes the driver may come into contact with during a crash. If a full cage is to be installed, taller drivers should ensure that their crash helmet will clear the roll cage when strapped into the seat.

The various designs of full cages do differ slightly in this regard and it is recommended that new drivers “try before they buy”. The Elise Trophy paddock is a friendly place and most competitors will let you sit in their cars; – provided you don’t ask when they are obviously busy.

When considering the installation of a roll cage, the various models eligible for the Elise Trophy, can be divided into 3 main groups.

1. Series 1 cars
2. Series 2 cars (K Series)
3. Series 2 cars (Elise & Exige Toyota 2zz-fe)

There are a number of options available for each model of Elise.

The Series 1 Elise

1. “A” frame and Petty Bar

Sometimes referred to as a 5pt rollover bar, this option is the least expensive and most simple to install in the Series 1 Elise. The original rollover hoop and backstays are retained. The rollover hoop is reinforced by an “A” frame and a diagonal brace tube, (the Petty bar) which runs from the top of the rollover hoop to the inside of the passenger foot well. A harness mounting bar is incorporated in the “A” frame.

2. 4pt Roll Cage

Sometimes referred to as a “half cage” this is essentially the rear section of a “full” or 6pt roll cage. The original factory roll over hoop and backstays are removed and a stronger, cross braced, main hoop and larger diameter backstays are installed in their place.

The Petty bar (in the photo above) is not required, because the new rollover hoop is constructed of stronger materials and is adequately supported by the stronger backstays. This is potentially the lightest solution for the S1, however it requires considerably more work to install than the “A” frame and Petty bar. A 4pt roll bar cannot provide the same level of protection as a full 6pt roll cage.

3. 6pt Roll Cage

The 6pt or full cage, when properly installed, offers the highest standard of roll protection. The rear portion of the cage is similar to the 4pt cage, however a cross braced forward section is also fitted, running around the perimeter of the roof and supported by legs from the chassis at the forward end of the doors, or from the transverse rail inside the dash board. The front legs pass through the top of the dashboard with the latter arrangement.

A frame and Petty Bar

Foot well mount for the Petty bar (LHD)

4Pt Roll Cage

6Pt Cage

The forward part of a Full Cage

The Series 2 Elise (K Series)

The standard roll over bar on the S2 Elise, steps down to a smaller diameter across the top of the main hoop. The backstays are also smaller in diameter. This makes this bar weaker than the OEM bar in the S1 and unsuitable for use in motorsport. As a result, there is no A frame and Petty bar option for the Rover powered S2 Elise.

1. 4pt Roll Cage

The standard rollover hoop and backstays are removed and replaced with a stronger, crossed braced roll bar and stays. As with the S1, the 4 pt cage is basically the same as a full 6pt cage with the front section omitted. The glass rear screen may have to replaced with polycarbonate on the S2, if the larger backstays foul the glass screen. (The polycarbonate can be cut away to provide the necessary clearance for the backstays.) A section of the sill molding must be cut away to fit the new main hoop, it is bonded back after the hoop is fitted.

2. 6pt Roll Cage

As with the S1, the full cage provides the highest standard of roll protection. The forward section of the cage mounts to the top of the door sills or to the cross rail behind the dashboard.

The Series 2 Elise (Toyota)

Externally, there is little difference between the newer Toyota powered Elises and the older Rover powered ones, however the rear sections of the aluminum chassis and the rear sub frames are significantly different. This means that roll cages built for Rover powered cars do not fit Toyota powered cars, and vice versa.

A Lotus Motorsport A frame optional front cage is also available for cars equipped with a T45 roll bar.

Main Hoop Mount

4Pt Roll Cage

6Pt Cage

Electrical Isolator

An externally operated means of isolating the vehicle’s electrical system is required. The regulations require that it should isolate all electrical circuits except those required to operate the fire extinguisher. An ignition switch operable by the driver, with the safety harness securely fastened, is also required. It is common practice to fit a second internal switch to the electrical isolator to meet the above requirements.

The blue book states that the external trigger point should be mounted in front of the windscreen, ideally on the drivers side, or on the lower part of the roll hoop, again preferably on the driver’s side.

A certain amount of latitude is permitted in locating the trigger points. The scrutineers main concerns are that the marshals should be able to find and operate the triggers quickly in the event of a fire and that the triggers are not likely to be destroyed in the accident. All the locations shown in the photos on this page have been accepted by the series scrutineers.

The simplest method is to use an FIA approved mechanical isolator switch, typically mounted within reach of the driver, in the cabin. A “pull” handle is then mounted on the vehicle exterior and connected to the switch by a sleeved cable.

The main advantage of this method is that there is almost nothing to go wrong with it, the disadvantage is that it is necessary to extend the heavy high current cables from the battery to the isolator switch and to route the remote trigger cable through the cabin.

Another solution is to install a high current relay or solid state isolator. The relay or solid state isolator is normally controlled with push button switches.

Because this method is more complex than the mechanical switch, it is potentially less reliable. It is however significantly easier to install because the relay can be located close to battery, it is not necessary to route high current cables through the cabin. There is also greater flexibility in the location of the trigger switches, because it is not necessary to allow for the large bend radius’s the mechanical pull cable require.

Cable Operated Triggers

External Button

Regardless of the type of isolator chosen, it is necessary to protect the alternator from damage and to ensure the engine stops immediately when the isolator is operated. Auxiliary contacts are provided on some isolators, or alternatively a simple automotive relay can be installed, to interrupt the power supply to the Engine’s ECU. Elise Trophy competitor Martin Roberts kindly provided these wiring diagrams, showing an effective method of employing a high current relay.

Towing Points

The blue book states there should be substantial towing eyes fixed to the vehicle structure front and rear. The specified diameter of the hole in the eye (60mm) is larger than the standard eyes that come with the car. The towing eyes should be painted a bright, contrasting colour, usually dayglo orange, red or yellow.

This requirement is easy to meet at the front of the car, replacement eyes with the required larger diameter hole are available, or alternatively a webbing strap can be fitted to the OEM tow post fixed to the front crash structure.

Replacement rear towing eyes, which bolt into the rear sub-frame in the original factory location are also available. Whilst this solution meets the blue book requirements, it should be noted that it does have certain limitations when the car is deeply buried in a gravel trap. The eye can be difficult to reach and in such circumstances, the marshals may have to attach their towing strap to some other part of your car, like a wheel or suspension arm.

Rain Light

A red warning light, known as a rain light is required. The blue book sets out minimum specifications for the surface area and brightness of the light. The light is mounted on the rear of the car. A single light must be fitted within 10cm of the centre-line of the vehicle, alternatively 2 lights may be mounted symmetrically about the center-line on vehicles fitted with full width bodies (like Lotus Elises).

S1s generally need a dedicated centre-line rain light. The S2 has bulb holders for a pair of rear fog lights as standard, although only one bulb was usually fitted by the factory. Simply installing the 2nd bulb satisfies the requirements of this regulation.

Catalytic Converter

The MSA regulations requires all production based cars manufactured after 31st Dec 1999 to be fitted with a Catalytic Converter. This includes Elise Trophy cars. Note the key date is the date of manufacture, not the date of 1st registration as a road car. If you intend to run without a catalytic converter, it is up to you to prove you are eligible to do so (Certificates of conformity can be obtained from Lotus if required).

Timing transponder

You will need to fit a timing transponder to your car. This device works with the automatic timing equipment at the race circuits, to provide your lap times and race positions. There are two types of transponder.

1. Internal battery type, usually mounted on a clip or secured with a cable tie to the roll cage. (Take care not to short the 2 battery charging terminals on the back of the transponder)

2. Powered from the vehicle’s 12v system, normally permanently mounted and hard wired to the vehicle.

Transponders are supplied by TSL Timing Solutions: http://www.tsl-timing.com/ and MyLaps http://www.mylaps.com/

Each transponder has it’s own unique number, which is written on your race entry forms. Transponders can usually be rented at the circuit. Remember to return rented transponders at the end of the event!