Tracks step up safety

[Brian Gray]

The hans isn't the problem. A big issue is people will buy and use it without a real containment seat. We have talked about this over and over. I thought it would end when lefler screwed up an cut his head support off. I guess not! If you cannot get in and out of Your car with the proper set up seat system, at least be smart enough to leave the hans at home.

[hipower17]

toyracer has a good point.

[tommydz71]

Would a window net have helped. I often wondered why most dirt cars don't use them.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

toyracer has a good point.

The speeds at Eldora this Saturday were on par with the 1970s.

[lmfan71]

Working in the safety field, there are many unknowns that go into these accidents. Safety only helps, can not prevent freak accidents. But I no a famous drive would loosen his belts up during the race so he would be more comfortable, some don't like the full seats, some don't like bars in front of their face to block debris, etc... Many thing in a nascar, or upper level cars are watched by cameras and computers. So know forces and impacts.

[FlatTire]

An engineer that works for one of major head and neck restraint companies once told me exactly what Pig Tracker pointed out. In a longitudinal impact with a head and neck restraint, all you have done is transferred the load to the next weakest part which is the brain impacting the skull.

If Earnhardt would have been wearing a head and neck restraint, the risk of injury due to basal skull fracture would have been lessened/prevented but a severe concussion/ permanent brain injury would have been the end result.

I don't follow NASCAR like I used to, but have the number of concussions increased since they mandated head and neck restraints?

One thing I would like to see changed is the window openings need increased to allow for ease of exit when the driver has to get out. Its too hard with all your safety equipment on and a containment seat. I've tried to do it while upside down, just glad I wasn't on fire.

[old fan]

and how about the one piece steering wheels not many use I them it helps save your hands

[FlatTire]

I have a clear lexan disc I made for my steering wheel after multiple broken thumbs and a wrist over the last 12yrs or so. I've asked 3 of the major manufacturers to copy my idea and mass produce it. None of them have taken me up on that idea yet. With the clear disc you can still see your gauges and with the center out of the disc, you can still release the steering wheel.

[BloomerHarvickFan]

What about SAFER barriers. Do any dirt tracks use those? I think they would also aid in hard impact crashes.

[Cardirt0]

What about SAFER barriers. Do any dirt tracks use those? I think they would also aid in hard impact crashes.

Cost too do 200 feet of wall 1/4 mill in bucks...If dirt gets behind them then they will not work as good.. So you have a lot of work too maintain them..Some tracks cant keep the grass cut...

[Cardirt0]

like pig said, been racing latemodels close to 30 years hit about everything but the grader over the years, even destroyed one that what was left fit in a tot and bent the deck with my head, last ten years with full containment seat [ a good one] had by bell rung more than once by that seat on a rough track, I use a simpson hybrid head support but run the tethers loose. also there a young kid at the track that parents bought him best of every thing , suit gloves helmet, best cont, seat and a hans, he is on his 4th concussion and was told he should stop before serious damage happens, I believe if the helmet stops to fast the head and brain wont, containment seat that the helmet is not tight on both sides that you cant move your head is asking for trouble. my opinion but what do I know.

Yep all the safety stuff in the world will not help if it is not used Right...I think it all has too give some.. If you can not move your head at all then the brain is a ping pong ball in a box.. the soft wall Gives so the restraints on your neck and head need too give some so the brain dont take it all,,,
add
Look at all the NASCAR drivers that hit the wall .. and the next day they have Bruises on there bodys the next day when the belts dont let them move at all..now the head cant move and the brain still want to move ...maybe they have gone too far.. and made it were it still hurts you...

[Cardirt0]

Not a LM, but this will probably open some peoples eyes or least surprise them some:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOsoNGwDTcg

You may not want to watch all of it, but least look at the 2nd crash test at the 2 min mark.

Thats scary I have to think they need to look at doing something to the top of the car...

[heinen81]

Did anyone on here actually see the incident? I just talked to someone who did, and I got the impression he was hard on the brakes and slowed, he tagged the back of a nearly stopped car, drivers door to left rear wheel area, and went up the track and bumped the wall, if that. Was told the safety workers were walking around the car, so it was not pinned drivers side door into the wall. Was told if not for cutting the cage to get him out, it looked like replace a wheel/tire and some sheet metal work and it could have been fixed in 15 minutes. Is it possible he had a medical emergency during/after?

[bayou tuff]

Question? Have dirt cars with all the new technology available become unsafe because of the speed and grip they are able to generate outpacing the ability of the tracks to handle these cars. Some tracks haven't had safety upgrades for years. They remain the same every year. I've been attending races for 36 years and some tracks I have been to recently haven't changed anything in 30 years. Still the same ol' dirt(surface), same ol' fences and still not the right emergency equipment on scene.

[Cardirt0]

Will FarmerCity did a lot of Improvements Because the IN. Com. told them too do them...
Fairbury fixed lot of the fences and walls this year...So some tracks are....