Brian Shirley's Needmore Fire

[Henry Every]

IMHO they started off wrong back after the Floyd accident. Mandating FC seats into an already tight (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)pit was a move that only made things worse, as far as escapability goes. I pointed this out to one of the sanction/series owners at the time, and I asked him how was I suppose to get out out if I'm upside down, DS towards the wall? His brilliant answer was, "He has a fire proof blanket and they would come and get me..." So his thinking was that I should just wait in my burning car for him to come and get me out with his blanket. No. Then there are the "Keyboard, never raced, fans" raising heck that the solution is a Han's device for everyone, MANDATORY!" Another promoter told me that DLM was more like Nascar and should do everything they do.. Again, NO! First and foremost in my mind is making the cars more easilty to escape from, not focused on trapping them inside it. I personally hate FC as its a fact that they can contribute to a closed head injury and concussion symptoms just from racing on a rough track and rapidly ping-ponging the drivers head between the head rests. My first move would be making everyone go back to a dropped deck and maybe even drop it further. Second FC seats and Hans Devices should be optional not mandatory. The only good thing to come out of the Floyd Mania was the implementation of onboard fire suppression systems. The racers should be the ONLY ones deciding what the safety measures must be as they are the ones at risk.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

IMHO they started off wrong back after the Floyd accident. Mandating FC seats into an already tight (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)pit was a move that only made things worse, as far as escapability goes. I pointed this out to one of the sanction/series owners at the time, and I asked him how was I suppose to get out out if I'm upside down, DS towards the wall? His brilliant answer was, "He has a fire proof blanket and they would come and get me..." So his thinking was that I should just wait in my burning car for him to come and get me out with his blanket. No. Then there are the "Keyboard, never raced, fans" raising heck that the solution is a Han's device for everyone, MANDATORY!" Another promoter told me that DLM was more like Nascar and should do everything they do.. Again, NO! First and foremost in my mind is making the cars more easilty to escape from, not focused on trapping them inside it. I personally hate FC as its a fact that they can contribute to a closed head injury and concussion symptoms just from racing on a rough track and rapidly ping-ponging the drivers head between the head rests. My first move would be making everyone go back to a dropped deck and maybe even drop it further. Second FC seats and Hans Devices should be optional not mandatory. The only good thing to come out of the Floyd Mania was the implementation of onboard fire suppression systems. The racers should be the ONLY ones deciding what the safety measures must be as they are the ones at risk.

I agree with you. A hans is to prevent basal skull fracture. NASCAR cars don't absorb energy, dlm do. I don't know of any dlm drivers dying from basal skull fracture. There definitely have been guys burn up.

I know which death would be more merciful as well, it isn't burning.

[EvelB7]

IMHO they started off wrong back after the Floyd accident. Mandating FC seats into an already tight (not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)(not a nice word)pit was a move that only made things worse, as far as escapability goes. I pointed this out to one of the sanction/series owners at the time, and I asked him how was I suppose to get out out if I'm upside down, DS towards the wall? His brilliant answer was, "He has a fire proof blanket and they would come and get me..." So his thinking was that I should just wait in my burning car for him to come and get me out with his blanket. No. Then there are the "Keyboard, never raced, fans" raising heck that the solution is a Han's device for everyone, MANDATORY!" Another promoter told me that DLM was more like Nascar and should do everything they do.. Again, NO! First and foremost in my mind is making the cars more easilty to escape from, not focused on trapping them inside it. I personally hate FC as its a fact that they can contribute to a closed head injury and concussion symptoms just from racing on a rough track and rapidly ping-ponging the drivers head between the head rests. My first move would be making everyone go back to a dropped deck and maybe even drop it further. Second FC seats and Hans Devices should be optional not mandatory. The only good thing to come out of the Floyd Mania was the implementation of onboard fire suppression systems. The racers should be the ONLY ones deciding what the safety measures must be as they are the ones at risk.

Completely agree, the piece about the head banking off the head rests is spot on. Not everyone would agree but some safety gear should be left up to the driver. Body rules, fire suppression systems, fuel cell containment, etc. aimed at safety I completely get. I guess I am old, stubborn, and really enjoy my comfort when driving.

[Jking24]

Full containment seats are not necessarily the reason for the head injuries. Full containment seats were around for nearly a decade before the head injuries started. The head injuries started when the sanctioning bodies increased the sfi cert that the seats are required to have. The current spec is the same spec that an arca car is required to have. those cars weigh 1000# more than a dlm and they run at speeds that are nearly double at some tracks. That is alot more energy that needs dissipated

[Henry Every]

I never said FC was the reason for ALL head injuries, but they contribute, even in situations without an accident. FC's do impede egress from the car and make getting out the RS impossible, especially for bigger drivers.