I was just wondering how much protection the roof of my car will give in case of a rollover. I really don't want to put a rollcage in the car (for DE events) so I'd like to have an idea how much safety the roof of my C4S will provide just in case...

 

"Yes", he said, sheepishly admitting to having lifted in a turn whilst driving an older air cooler and experiencing the drama of understeer.

No roll bar at the time, but it would have been nice.

 

today's (nicer) cars have some safety features designed somewhat with roll overs in mind. plus, 3 point belts are designed so that you can lean over/duck down or be "forced down sideways" in the event the roof caves. but then again these safety features are probably designed for highway-ish speeds, i doubt most manufacturers count on you flipping a street car at 150mph+ on the track.

it's a gamble: odds that you will roll x odds that your roof will cave. yes, the combined odds are very low but the point is: how much confidence do you have that you will be the rule and not the exception? i have seen a handful of rolls across different models - older 911, 993, 996, 997, cayman, audi R8, etc. in almost all cases the roof was touching the bar (all had roll bars). would a roof have injured the driver had a bar not been there? maybe not but you never know.

all that being said, safety is up to you: yes you will probably beat the odds but if it's within your means, i suggest safety first "just in case".