Roll Bar Padding

Roll bar padding is a foam sleeve that covers roll cage tubes wherever a driver’s or co-driver’s head, arms or legs could strike them in an impact. Pads are listed by colour, length and the tube diameter they fit, with FIA versions for areas where the rules call for homologated padding.

A cage tube is rigid and narrow, so a helmet or knee that hits it concentrates the force on a small area. Padding spreads that force and slows the impact over the depth of the foam. In cars built to FIA rules, homologated padding must be permanently fixed wherever a helmet can touch the cage, and flame-retardant padding fitted wherever the body can. Other series and national or club rules may set different requirements, so check the regulations for each event.

Choose by these points:

• Tube diameter: sizes cover tubes of 29–38 mm or 45–51 mm, shown as 38 mm or 51 mm in the product data. Measure each tube, as main hoops often use a larger size than door bars and diagonals.
• FIA or standard: FIA-marked pads are for places within helmet reach. Pads without the marking suit road and track-day cars, or areas the rules leave free.
• Length: pieces are 900 or 920 mm long. Measure each tube run and allow for cutting around joints and gussets.
• Colour: blue, black, yellow, orange, red, silver and purple, to suit the interior or team colours.
• Leg cushion: a universal leg cushion, in blue, adds padding for the legs.

Fit padding over a clean tube, with the split facing away from the occupant, and fix it so it cannot turn or slide. Cut the ends square and butt them tightly, so no bare tube shows at the joints. Keep any homologation marking on FIA pads visible for the scrutineer.

Foam hardens and crumbles with age, heat and sunlight, so replace any pad that is torn, compressed or loose. Padding complements, and never replaces, a correctly fitted seat, harness and frontal head restraint.