Fatality at a track day in the US

[mazmad]

At a private Californian track. Apparently driver in an Integra with his gf, she was airlifted he was DOA. His helmet apparently wasn't strapped on. Modded Integra, no cage or harness.

"one of the Loi Spec ITR's owned by Jayden duc lam crashed into a flagging station, he was DOA helmet wasnt strapped, and his GF passanger was air lifted. no safety in the car."


RIP very sad.

[gslender]

"no safety in the car."

In which case, probably no more/less sad than the 25,000 other road deaths in the USA, or the over 1 million (yes that's right!) deaths world wide due to car accidents each year!

[mazmad]

Agreed. But reinforces the point - as for all road users - be prepared, do things right, safety first. etc.

[vrmmmpshhh]

very sad indeed. RIP

just did a quick search and it was actually the passenger who died.. driver is in ICU.. both using 4 point harnesses

[Trackphotos]

...both using 4 point harnesses..

We've all had it made very clear recently in QLD that a harness is going to do you more harm than good if you have a high speed impact with a helmet on, and no HANS. One death and one very close call, both at Lakeside. First guy hit at less than 80kmh, no HANS and the weight of the helmet broke his neck. The second guy was doing 164kmh hit a stopped car, survived but cracked a few vertebrae. Seems you're better off doing all or nothing when it comes to seat/harness/HANS.

[deviant]

I am ordering a HANS and helmet in the next few days. I'm not going to competitively drive the car again without one. There have been to many near misses lately and the risk / reward ratio is skewed in my calculations.

[Apu]

I've been thinking about that for a while, and whilst I've been thinking I'd look really dicky with HANS on, I also recognised that:
1. when I hit my 30s, I realised I was not invincible
2. when I hit my 40, I realised I was somewhat fragile

Soooo....I bought the OMP helmet that was for sale. Now to shop for HANS.

[JBT]

A HANS device may be detrimental in a sideways impact unless your head is restrained laterally.

[MattR]

A HANS device does offer more protection in a side on impact than without one, this has been proven many times at various levels of motorsport in various impacts.

I have my HANS device and drilled my helmet for the appropriate posts and installed them, but the HANS device won't get a run until my next car is built, or I drive a circuit car with the correct harness and seat.

If you are going this route, I would recommend one additional safety item, upgrade your 4 point harness to a six point harness if not already done. I see way too many people with a 4 point harness in their cars done up incorrectly as the lap part will ride up across your abdomen and not sit across your hips/lap correctly when you tighten the shoulder straps. This leave you vulnerable to submarining out from under the harness and also makes the HANS device less effective.

Yes I will run around in my 5 on a track day with just the lap/sash belt and the minimal safety gear required, but that is a risk I am willing to take as the track days are a bit of fun that equates to a spirited drive, with a couple of higher than road speed bits, I am lucky to top 160km/h in my NA6, and I don't want to spend the money on a seat and harness for a few track days a year for shits and giggles.

[JBT]

A HANS device does offer more protection in a side on impact than without one, this has been proven many times at various levels of motorsport in various impacts.

Guys who race some other types explained to me that it has also been proven that the shoulder rests can act as a fulcrum point and break the cervical area of the spine in side impacts. Seats with extended side wings to seriously limit lateral head movement are needed to get around the issue.

[Magpie]

JBG I agree on the sideways movement and the need to have seat with suitable wings. However most people that could use a HANS already have a harness And a seat with some wings on them. If you do not have a harness (min 4 point) then a HANS device cannot be used, simple. The question do Sparco Sprints have enough wing to restrict the side to side head movement if there is a side impact?

Despite my prevoius bad salesmanship on HANS devices Racer Industries are offering

HANS Sport I (Large only) $489.00
HANS Sport II (Med & Large) $560.00
HANS Pro Carbon (Med & Large) $1009.00
HANS Clips $50.00

FREE HANS clip fitment to your helmet
FREE helmet safety assessments.

[JBT]

The question do Sparco Sprints have enough wing to restrict the side to side head movement if there is a side impact?

I understand the answer is no. You need the sort of thing you see in V8 Supercars.

[NMX516]

Sparco Sprint "wings" are shoulder height so would do nothing for head movement.

[MattR]

The question do Sparco Sprints have enough wing to restrict the side to side head movement if there is a side impact?

I understand the answer is no. You need the sort of thing you see in V8 Supercars.

Not sure on this as I can't find anything in the HANS manual regarding seats other than to ensure you get the correct angle model for your seat and that there is about 40mm clearance between the helmet and seat for the device to work properly.

http://www.theracedepot.com/HANS/HANS%20Owner's.pdf

For us the risk is minimal and no real need to go out and spend big dollars on seats that will make your car more dangerous to drive to and from the track.

[JBT]

I don't think you'll find anything in the HANS documents Matt. It's more a case of real world experiences with race cars. I'm only pointing out that the HANS device, of itself, is not the complete answer. I agree with your comments about the car remaining safe on the road.

For me? Lap/sash, belt tensioner, airbags and driving on the track at nine tenths.