That bonnet looks heaps better than the original ones (DRIF6 style photochops)... but I'm in agreeance if they are going to be a safety hazard. Why dont they make them with a fine steel mesh to hold everything together as an inner layer? I dont know much about fibreglass but surely there's a way to make it compliant?

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the issuse is not the construction, its the testing and the following attainment of adr. It costs heaps (read tens of thousands of $) it's not worth it for such a few items. I have no doubt that the bonnet would pass, BUT my insurance dont give a toss what I THINK.

Unfortunately, fine steel mesh wouldnt be strong enough to hold the fibreglass together in an impact unless it was quite 'closed', as in very small holes and lots of wires.

Then the problem (assuming the mesh was strong enough) would be bonding the mesh into the 'glass.

The wire mesh would prevent the layers of 'glass mat touching, leaving only the resin to fill the mesh holes.

Polyester resin (standard fibreglassing resin) is a very poor adhesive unless it can bond chemically as well as mechanically (as in to polyester or vinylester resin or gel coat).

I figure in a bad enough impact where you would really be wanting the mesh to work, the bonnet would split into layers where the mesh was.

Using epoxy laminating resin would fix this, but I dont think the AWC/Aggressor bonnets are made using epoxy or cloth.

Likely just chopped fibreglass mat in polyester laminating resin.

the issuse is not the construction, its the testing and the following attainment of adr. It costs heaps (read tens of thousands of $) it's not worth it for such a few items. I have no doubt that the bonnet would pass, BUT my insurance dont give a toss what I THINK.

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Nail on the head right there. Unless a company pays the big bucks to have their product ADR'd, then its not compliant (especially a crash-critical item like a bonnet!). That's why people can buy BOSS bonnets without fear, as they've been proven to comply being as how they're fitted to a fully ADR'd road going car.

No doubt the AWC drift bonnet is the ducks guts though, just remember that if you buy one, you the owner are accepting any risk (of being defected, insurance denied), not AWC.

Nice looking car wiseguy