Fatality at a track day in the US

[greenMachine]

window nets?

[NMX516]

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

Agreed. If I had a race car it would be a different story

...Another vote for window nets

[mazmad]

Since before this incident I was researching a replacement for my Sparco Sprint, for a seat with wings.

Crash sled tests have proven the benefit of Hans in side impacts. Google the video. That was one of my concerns but it is pretty conclusive.

Demon tweeks have them very cheap also, group buy would help on freight. I got mine 3 weeks ago.

And I will take my harness with or without Hans over a lap sash seatbelt any day. I suspect the injured party at the NSW club day a week ago might agree too.

[motomenace]

MMM airbags on a racetrack NO NO NO NO NO!!!!

Thats probably one of the most dangerous things u can do!!. When i worked for renault sport, they recomend removing the fuse before driving on track, as do maseratti, and ferrari.

Hard track driving has been known to set airbags off. While there isnt many videos, in my experience ive seen two incidents. One was a 300c (chrysler) the other a renault megane sport, at sandown. Both werent driving that aggressive but if you know how an impact sensor works itl make sense. Basically they can go off if you hit a ripple strip, or slide the car. Not to mention if someone accidently hits your ass. Youl be blinded and probably knocked out before you realise :/. They can even go off if you hit a large enough pot hole at speed, or as one customer found out on the M7 (dodge nitro) a truck exhaust laying on the ground will do it too. Funny enough that customer was given not only 1 new car but 2 so he wouldn't go to the media and blab about it.

I found one vid ill post

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpL4VwhYSE8

If it makes you feel safe then go for it!

[NMX516]

MMM airbags on a racetrack NO NO NO NO NO!!!!

Thats probably one of the most dangerous things u can do!!. When i worked for renault sport, they recomend removing the fuse before driving on track, as do maseratti, and ferrari.

Hard track driving has been known to set airbags off. While there isnt many videos, in my experience ive seen two incidents. One was a 300c (chrysler) the other a renault megane sport, at sandown. Both werent driving that aggressive but if you know how an impact sensor works itl make sense. Basically they can go off if you hit a ripple strip, or slide the car. Not to mention if someone accidently hits your ass. Youl be blinded and probably knocked out before you realise :/. They can even go off if you hit a large enough pot hole at speed, or as one customer found out on the M7 (dodge nitro) a truck exhaust laying on the ground will do it too. Funny enough that customer was given not only 1 new car but 2 so he wouldn't go to the media and blab about it.

I found one vid ill post

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpL4VwhYSE8

If it makes you feel safe then go for it!

Good point!

But lets face it - it's all about what you feel comfortable with. People's comfort levels vary...

I admit I have been considering a HANS setup lately, but probably need to do more investigation. I also use a 3 layer race suit, spent good money on a decent helmet, and had a 4 point harness in my last car, so I don't throw all caution to the wind...

[motomenace]

NMX516
"But lets face it - it's all about what you feel comfortable with. People's comfort levels vary..."

That's exactly correct!!

[JBT]

This is the sort of thing that should be in a dedicated track car for proper lateral head restraint:

I've never had the car shaken on a track, even on a ripple strip like it gets on public roads - I'll put my faith in the airbags not deploying unless needed.

[mazmad]

I have been asked what my HANS cost from Demon Tweeks (at Mattr's suggestion):
I got a HANS Sport II, it cost GBP 286.32, or AUD 441.77.

I bought a bunch of other stuff so hard to say exactly what freight would have been for the HANS but I would guess GBP 50 or AUD 77 ish. Get a few together and it is worthwhile for sure.

[manga_blue]

I've seen a few nasty hits on the track where airbags have been deployed, including some MX5 ones, and they've done their job really well. I've yet to see a case of an airbag going off unnecessarily. If I had airbags I personally wouldn't disable them.

I've also seen a couple of frontal NA accidents where the OEM belts have stretched so much that the drivers or passengers have struck the upper windscreen frame hard. I wouldn't trust them at the track.

[deviant]

I have been asked what my HANS cost from Demon Tweeks (at Mattr's suggestion):
I got a HANS Sport II, it cost GBP 286.32, or AUD 441.77.

I bought a bunch of other stuff so hard to say exactly what freight would have been for the HANS but I would guess GBP 50 or AUD 77 ish. Get a few together and it is worthwhile for sure.

About $90 shipping with a second one only adding another $40.

I've seen a few nasty hits on the track where airbags have been deployed, including some MX5 ones, and they've done their job really well. I've yet to see a case of an airbag going off unnecessarily. If I had airbags I personally wouldn't disable them.

I've also seen a couple of frontal NA accidents where the OEM belts have stretched so much that the drivers or passengers have struck the upper windscreen frame hard. I wouldn't trust them at the track.

If I remember correctly there is a thread on here about running in targa and MX5+ posted and mentioned that their cars have the airbags left in where regs allow and the roll cage is designed to not change the deformation of factory crumple zones. I might be dreaming this though

[mazmad]

Not wanting to labour a horrible issue, but hopefully the positive to come from these type of incidents is people learn and the sport gets safer.

Vid of Danica Patrick in the US last year, look how little her head moves forwards with the Hans - and what she does with her hands.

http://youtu.be/gOYEjLjIRsE

[manga_blue]

Hands are a bit of an issue with our cars. It seems you can either hang on to the wheel and break your wrists or have them flap about and get all crumpled in a rollover. What are you meant to do????

[deviant]

Not wanting to labour a horrible issue, but hopefully the positive to come from these type of incidents is people learn and the sport gets safer.

Vid of Danica Patrick in the US last year, look how little her head moves forwards with the Hans - and what she does with her hands.

http://youtu.be/gOYEjLjIRsE

Don't worry about labouring the issue. The information needs to be out there so everyone can learn and make their own assessment of their skills, their cars performance and the appropriateness of their safety equipment and what is available to them if they feel it needs to be stepped up.

I think we are approaching a time when the FIA / CAMS are going to come down on club motorsport and stipulate far more safety gear.

On the one hand I would hate the really entry level motorsport to become something out of reach to the average wage earner that wants to squeal his or her tyres a few times a year but at the same time there are some very very quick modified road cars out there that can outrun many dedicated race cars...but the owner has spent zero money on making sure it is safe for motorsport use.

Hands are a bit of an issue with our cars. It seems you can either hang on to the wheel and break your wrists or have them flap about and get all crumpled in a rollover. What are you meant to do????

For keeping your arms safe in a roll over:

Arm restraints: http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorspor ... restraints

Never used them but reading some forums people find that they don't restrict driving duties but they do have a tendency to slip down your arms and need tweaking every other lap. Some race suits have them built in which work well. You can have them stitched in to a suit yourself but you would need to wade through the FIA manual to see how to do it so as not to compromise the suit.

Other options are a window net, 'left side' net down the center of the car and maybe even one over your head.

Or if you are switched on enough cross your arms and hold on to your harness as tight as you can. You see rally navigators do this.

If you are going in to an impact I believe the advice is brake like a mofo and just before impact let go of the wheel and draw your feet up out of the pedal box....easier said than done I am sure!

[manga_blue]

Or if you are switched on enough cross your arms and hold on to your harness as tight as you can. You see rally navigators do this.

If you are going in to an impact I believe the advice is brake like a mofo and just before impact let go of the wheel and draw your feet up out of the pedal box....easier said than done I am sure!

Sounds like good advice. Thanks. I'll practise these. Yes, the trapped feet problem is a bit topical in NSW.

[deviant]

And keep your tongue out from between your teeth to!