There are two types of roll cage padding: SFI safety padding and non-certified padding. The better-designed SFI-rated padding should be used in critical areas near the driver, while non-certified padding can be used in non-critical areas. The FIA-8857-2001 Type A roll cage pad is a revolutionary design that disperses forces over a wider area and is made of self-extinguishing material.
Basically there are only two types of roll cage padding available: SFI safety padding and non-certified padding. There are, however, different styles of roll cage padding, one of which is vastly superior to the other. The common shape of roll cage padding is round padding split on one side to allow it to be placed over the roll cage. The other, better designed style has a flat surface molded into the pad on the contact side, the side facing the driver. This type of roll cage pad is manufactured in a C shape and is attached to the roll cage with a molded adhesive.
While common hoop padding looks like a floating pool toy or pool “noodle,” the pool toy should never be used to stuff a hoop. This will not protect the driver at all in the event of an accident and tests have shown this type of material to be no safer than a bare roll cage. Even the cheapest, poorly made non-approved roll cage pad will outperform the pool toy in a crash. Non-safety-rated padding should only be used in non-critical areas, such as points furthest from the driver.
SFI rated padding is the only padding that should be used in the driver’s compartment or areas near the driver. This padding has been tested to withstand high impact and will help protect the driver from devastating forces that injure or kill. Most racing sanctioning bodies stipulate that padding must cover any roll bars that a rider’s head might contact. The problem with even SFI safety rated stuffing is that it is not flame retardant. To comply with a safety rule, a driver is forced to surround his body with a potential fire hazard that could drip molten plastic onto his body in the event of an accident and fire.
An innovative roll cage pad dubbed FIA-8857-2001 Type A offers a completely different design and is used in all forms of motorsports around the world. This padding is revolutionary in that it is not round. The roll cage padding is flat in the area where a rider could make contact with it, thus dispersing the forces over a wider area and reducing the sensation of impact. This roll bar padding is also made of a self-extinguishing material and will not melt or drip in the event of a fire inside the vehicle.
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