(STANDING ON SOAP BOX WITH IMPASSIONED LOOK ON FACE)
I hate hearing about deaths in our sport.
Please don't scrimp on safety gear. It's not there to be a "road block to fun" for you. I know it's expensive, I know. But you've got to have the best gear ready to go when something nasty happens. You never know when it's going to happen to you, so please be ready at all times. You can't control what all the other guys on the track with you are doing. I had a guy get "lost" at the Mazda "rev-it-up" AX competition this year at the stadium. He spun, got lost, left his closed course, and came onto mine HEAD ON!
All of my driving instructors have taught me to keep my head up and be
observant at all times, even driving through the pits. It paid off just then. Was I wearing one of their open face rental helmets? Nope. Had my full face carbon fiber BELL on. Also had my helmet support on. Is a helmet support "overkill" at an AX. Absolutely not! It only takes one little hit at the right angle and force to give you neck problems for life. I will not drive a car or kart at speed without my helmet support. Especially a kart!
Don't buy the cheap stuff just to meet the minimum requirements. And please make sure all your gear is installed properly. I've seen lots of improper installations of belts, and at the risk of sounding arrogant, felt that I had to nicely point out every instance of it to the less experienced drivers. It's important. If your shoulder belts can slide left or right on the roll bar or cage, and change their length, that's bad. Once one of your shoulders comes out of the loose harness, guess what?
I've seen helmet supports (commonly and incorrectly called "neck braces"), worn backwards. You've gotta say something to that driver. Help them.
I wish I had a dollar for every unfastened helmet I've spotted at the AX starting line!
The point is we need to help each other learn how to practice good, effective safety, then ensure we do it.
I was at Button Willow last year when a driver named Bill was killed. I understand he wasn't wearing any kind of helmet/head support device. I had an extra one in my drivers bag...... I gave it away at the next drivers meeting to a guy who was without. Am I the hero? Nope. Just trying to help others practice good safety.
You'll probably use a drivers suit for 10 years. When you think about how much a triple layer suit costs, spread that same cost out over 10 years.
You'll probably use a helmet for 5 years.......Please find a way to justify to yourself or your spouse, spending your money on the most effective gear.
Please "plan" for the worst case scenario-being UN-conscious and in a burning car after your big crash. Can the safety crew get to your kill switch quickly? Is it on the driver's side of the car, or do they first have to go around the car to get to it, while you are unconscious and ON FIRE! Is it marked well and correctly?
Can they understand how to undo your window net quickly? I've seen both very smart and very stupid corner workers. If you're a corner worker reading this, you're one of the smart ones. Remember, you can't help them because you're unconscious. How about your door handle or other opening cable or what-have-you. I've seen some doors without handles on the outside, and some cable rigged way at the bottom of the door! How's a rescue worker going to reach into a flaming car to "find" that cable? Especially after the window net has fallen down on top of it.
What if it's dark? All the important points of my night enduro car are marked with high visibilty neon tape, e.g., the door handle, the window net release.
Since you're unconscious and the car is on fire........you need 2 things working in your favor.
1.
You need to give the corner workers as much time as possible to get you out, before serious burns occur. A proper-fitting triple layer suit, balaclava, full face helmet, etc., are the ticket here. You don't want a suit that's too short for your legs and exposes your ankles. I've seen women wearing suits who were obviously more interested in the suit fitting tight across their butts and other parts, than having the suit fit properly with some dead air space between the suit and their skin.
Consider this: I saw a very bad crash (with immediate oil fire) at Willow in turn one. Neither driver was moving in the cars. The drivers had very good safety gear on, the rescue crew was known to be good and fast at that track. But the corner worker freaked out and was yelling too loud, continuously in the radio. No one could understand what she was saying. The resue crew was oblivious for way too long- not their fault. But stuff happens like this that we can't control. Give the rescue guys time to get to you. BUY YOURSELF MORE TIME with good quality fire retardent clothes.
2.
You need to make it as easy as possible to get you out quickly. Please look at your systems and how easily they work.
What if you're conscious, but can't see because of smoke and/or dust? Can you find and quickly work your systems to escape in the dark? Did you remember to unfasten your cool suit lines and your radio line, or did you just get yanked back into the burning car like a dog who's reached the end of his leash?
At the POC Racer's Clinic (school), they put a helmet bag over your helmet while you're still strapped in, then tell you to find your way out of the car in a certain amount of time! Good practice, huh? It's because they care enough to help keep you safe.
I count the emergency egress steps and practice them often. The Navy taught me to practice fighting just like I want to when it's a real fight.
1. Release harness while leaning forward- to ensure all tabs are released and clear.
2. Slide seat back on rails.
3. Window net down.
4. Pull door handle.
5. Get the hell out!
Getting some NASCAR-style door bars added to my cage just suddenly got alot more important.......................
Let's help each other stay safe, huh?
Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2004 3:07 pm