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Topic: Safer Walls
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Page 2 of 2 of 27 replies
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February 24, 2015 at
09:00:47 AM
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This is a good conversation but I don't see the need for any track that races winged sprints to need this. From what I've seen most drivers in WINGEd sprints are injured from other sprints. Not hitting the wall, however it does happen from time to time.
Yes concrete is dangerous, especially to NON WING sprints if they hit cage first whether that's landing on it or flipping into one. I'm not sure if foam is a logical answer for sprints but I would think layers of wood on top of concrete is better than concrete. I should gather everyone's tires by nights end that are bald and recycle them and cut the rubber to pad the concrete walls.
Keep It Real
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February 24, 2015 at
09:37:34 AM
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Reply to:
Posted By: vande77 on February 23 2015 at 07:51:32 AM
My opinion is Safer Barriers in Dirt Track Racing would cost 3X as much as they do for NASCAR (main reason being the walls have to be way taller, NASCAR's Safer Barriers are 3-1/2 to 4 feet tall maximum.
Additionally, IMO, the wall at a place like Knoxville already is safer than a concrete wall would be (I've seen cars hit the fence and the ENTIRE fence shakes (absorbing the energy of the crash) and moves (which is essentially what a SAFER barrier does, it absorbs (some of) the energy of the crash.
Do I think any concrete walls should be replaced by something else? Yes, but a majority of the crashes where a driver was hurt on a concrete wall in dirt track racing has more to do with the "catch fence" being too far back from the concrete wall allowing the car to land on top of the concrete (or the catchfence is non-existent).
There is no be-all end-all answer for safety IMO. The main thing is continueing to move forward with safety enhancements (whether they be seats, belts, fences, fire safety, etc., etc., etc.).
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Tell that to my friend Steve King
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February 24, 2015 at
10:01:28 AM
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I will agree that sprint cars landing on concrete walls or jersey barricades are the biggest safety issue that needs to be addressed.
However, I do not agree that local tracks should automatically discount the need for safer barriers. As several other people have posted, there are ways to create a softer wall that is not as cost prohibited as the solution that NASCAR uses. Good Grief. Every commercial go-cart track in the country has some form of soft wall technology. I think that we should look for a solution that works for local tracks that local tracks could afford.
I continue to be dismayed by the overall lack of concern for safety in our sport. We should look every day for ways to improve our sport, not ways to keep our sport the same as it always have. The improvements that NASCAR, Indy Car and NHRA should show us that improvements are neccessary.
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February 24, 2015 at
11:21:04 AM
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Reply to:
Posted By: oklahomabreakdown on February 24 2015 at 09:37:34 AM
Tell that to my friend Steve King
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I was there that night too. But IMO, the SAFER barrier would have made no difference, Knoxville's fence shook for a minute or two after Steve's impact (which means the wall aborbed energy (same as a SAFER barrier does).
Do I think improvements to the fence can be made? Yep, but IMO, a SAFER barrier would be no different than what is currently in place (in fact, it has to be anchored in CONCRETE, so it may be worse).
Even with safety improvements to seats, belts, helmets, racing suits, etc., people still get hurt. Safety is a moving target, the main thing it to keep making improvements.
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February 24, 2015 at
02:53:22 PM
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Fremont, Ohio is the place. Was there one night when a sprint hit the styrofoam. He drove away. Liked it so much, he hit it again. Drove away again. Don't know the per foot cost. But it can save serious injuries. And possibly lives.
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February 24, 2015 at
06:07:30 PM
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I remember hearing that the foam blocks were about 500 dollars each. Could be more now.
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February 24, 2015 at
06:29:23 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: sprintcarfanatic on February 24 2015 at 06:07:30 PM
I remember hearing that the foam blocks were about 500 dollars each. Could be more now.
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Anyone know how many years those at Fremont have been there?
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February 25, 2015 at
07:09:31 AM
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Could do what a lot of Road Courses do and Daytona did stacks of tires bolted together they work great. Lay them down on top of the wall if there is room.
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