temporary roll cage or not set in stone?

[Car54]

Bolt in cage - minimum legal requirement for racing
Weld in cage - safety of occupant number one priority

You won't find data because none exists. Cages are fabricated custom based on what holds up in crashes. It's an art AND science, but more an art. A good cage builder will have seen hundreds of crashed cars, but likely never see any crash data other than g's on the car during impact.

If you want to be safe, get a proper custom built cage welded in with proper NASCAR bars, gussets, and foot protection. Anything short of that, I say, keep the air bags and millions of dollars worth of crash data on your side in the unfortunate event of serious collision.

[Brainofjjj]

Also, you'd be crazy to drive a street car with a cage.
Hello brain damage

[Porschefile]

In theory, if the steel plates the bolt in cage is bolted to are thick enough to prevent punching through the floor and if the bolted connections on the cage itself don't shear, then it could be just as strong. But welded cages are generally thought of as safer because they eliminate those variables (steel plates still needed of course, but they typically have bigger ones on welded cages). Plus custom cages are a lot closer to the roof line.

Anything more than a half cage on street is a death wish, and I'm afraid Car54 is correct that there is zero data on this important issue.

[aus]

Thanks guys.

For the OP, you don't need a cage, track pads or even track rubber if you're starting out. Just go out and have a great time. If you feel intimidated, the BMWCCA is an awesome way to start out on the track. REALLY safe. The more advanced drivers don't like it (but they usually don't give the club enough time to evaluate them to put them in the right class), but it's perfect for beginners.
If you like autocross, you should LOVE tracking.
.

[Estoril Blue]

Originally Posted by Porschefile

In theory, if the steel plates the bolt in cage is bolted to are thick enough to prevent punching through the floor and if the bolted connections on the cage itself don't shear, then it could be just as strong. But welded cages are generally thought of as safer because they eliminate those variables (steel plates still needed of course, but they typically have bigger ones on welded cages). Plus custom cages are a lot closer to the roof line.

Anything more than a half cage on street is a death wish, and I'm afraid Car54 is correct that there is zero data on this important issue.

Example:

[bigjae1976]

I'd call HMS Motorsports on this subject...they are pretty knowledgable about safety issues like this.

[JZBE92]

Thank you everyone for the information.

I recently did Laguna Seca with an instructor last month. It was superb. I was driving a grandma pace but towards the end of the day, I started to step it up a bit and started passing people. Part of it was just learning all the jargon my instructor was telling me.

I expect to buy a cage when I feel that I'm pushing my car to its limits.