Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Um, uh, I guess I don't see any drivers in their underwear, at Knoxville or anywhere for that matter.....

Savage

Um, uh, I guess I don't see any drivers in their underwear, at Knoxville or anywhere for that matter.....

Savage

huntin' are ya? lol

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Savage

huntin' are ya? lol

This surprises me.  I always thought Savage would be the type to chase drivers wives, not the drivers themselves.

The foam would need to be fire proof. I believe my suggestions could be realized for a few hundred dollars(Hardly $20,000). A solid aluminum floor pan could be built into the seat and potentially replace the floorpan,side panels and continue as the dash. The result could be a safer "pod" , eliminitating exposure to fuel lines and pump. The cars would look the same on the outside and speed would not suffer. Risk will never be eliminated but, we can try to minimize it.

I don't post here much, but I don't understand why someone would want to crucify the original poster. He has the best interests of the drivers in mind.

In my opinion there has been too many deaths recently. In the last few years I have been at the track when Keith Hutton and Steve King died. Seeing Keith's wreck was the scariest thing I have ever seen and was the worst thing I've ever experienced. His car stopped on the track right in front of where I was sitting. If you were there I think you might change your tune on safety. When I was younger I used to enjoy seeing a wreck and now they just scare the crap out of me.

It doesn't matter how much more improved the safety equipment gets it will still be dangerous. I just want to see the drivers make it home in one piece. If that makes someone not a race fan, than fine whatever.

ha ha..good one...really it was..something like the nomex fireproof longsleeve shirts, socks, and pants should be mandatory at all racetracks. i'm in the infield every night and 80% of the drivers wear only a t-shirt under the original firesuit.

-Austin Rankin

I also couldn't believe the remarks that were given by some on this subject,This guy was just throwing out some ideas concerning safety and gets threatened and told he's not much of a fan?That's pretty ate up.Actually I thought the foam in the wing idea not too bad.I do think the open sides of the cages are the biggest trouble spots though.I bet if some of the drivers we have lost could speak to us now,they would be in favor of added safety for thier fellow racers.

Safety is a fun issue no matter where you post or what you talk about. Alot of the safety items available don't get used because we drivers (yes, I am a driver) make the statement " I like what I have got." Is that always the smartest? Nah, but then again it is their decision to make. Nomex Underwear is one of those items that should be mandated regardless of class......hobby stock or top fuel. I was fortunate enough to have bagan my racing career in a group that understood a little about safety and nomex underwear was mandatory. I have always worn it since, even on those wonderfull 100 degree days in July at Eldora. Another somewhat newer device, the HANS device is becoming mandatory in more and more groups. I got one of them a few years back now and upon opening the box, thought to myself...yikes! This should be interesting. But after about 30 seconds on the gas I forgot it was there and went back to racing. Yes they are pricey, but so are head traumas so.....

One other thing that I have had the pleasure to use that hopefully the sanctioning bodies and tracks will put to better use are the one way RACECEIVERS. Getting instant info about wrecks ahead, where they are and how to avoid them is priceless. Kudos to Eldora Speedway (I am sure others do to, this is just where I used them) for implementing them.

As said in above posts, there is only one way to make racing safe....stop racing, but if we can pick out MAJOR safety issues to deal with, it can become a little safer each time.

-Austin Rankin

Saftey is a touchy subject cause some of use have lost someone in a race that we knew away from the race track. When that happens, you realize anything can happen, even to you. So some of my comments might of been out of anger. Which I know is not right. However, saftey is something that needs to be tested. It takes a lot of time to test such messures. Over the past 20 years in open wheel sprint car racing, saftey has been improving. I would like to see a seat that is standard for all drivers. And with that seat, someone should be able to make a device that can lift the entire seat with the driver in it. I agree with what was said earlier about more caution should go to the driver when he gets injured. And how they get that driver out while he is hurt, can be everything.

I've heard that a lot of sanctioning bodies and tracks are reluctant to mandate certain safety items for fear of a lawsuit in the event of a driver being injured or killed while using said items. I am a driver also, and yes, I am aware of the risks when I strap in. I for one appreciate anyone who makes suggestions for making our cars and sport safer. I've done and been around various forms of racing for a long time, but I've only been in the sprint for a couple years. I feel like my car is pretty safe (extra bars, good seat, Hans, underwear...) but I'm certain that someone could probably still walk up and say "why didn't you..." I've been thinking about adding a firewall behind my seat. It could go from the floorpan to the top of the sail panels, and it wouldn't change the look of the car at all. Wouldn't cost much, and it might help. Remember, the first guy that showed up with a roll cage probably got laughed at too.

~John~

Get in, sit down, fasten the HANS device, plug wire A into jack B, wire B into jack A, secure the canopy...then shut up and hold on!

"As long as I can have a fast boat, a margarita 
machine and can light my hair on fire, I'll be just 
fine."

Jason Giambi

Considering their financial position, DIRT/WRG might not be a ripe target for litigation. Anything north of liability insurance would have a long line already formed. Anxiously waiting the cat's gratis opinion on this.

It is true what they say, after all...

You cannot get blood from a stone, nor would it seem that the stone has any to give!

"As long as I can have a fast boat, a margarita 
machine and can light my hair on fire, I'll be just 
fine."

Jason Giambi

Quote " the first guy that showed up with a roll cage probably got laughed at too." ~John~

I remember when they first showed up at Ascot and my dad and some of the other old school drivers were not laughing, not by a long shot. Their first thought was because everyone didn't have em, those guys would drive over their heads, feeling safer, and get someone else killed! That was just for starters. My dad has been gone for some time but I felt him with me the night Keading knocked down the fence on both ends of the track at Manzy. I know what he would have said about that, he would have been right.

Kenny

Half the lies they tell about me aren't true. 

The comment about concrete walls is right on the money. Safer Walls should also be considered. If Steve King had hit a Safer Wall he might still be with us.

There aren't a whole lot of tracks with properly equipped safety crews. That's why the Winged Outlaw Warriors have their own safety crew that travels wo every race with them.

Methanol fires can be a challenge. Dry chem extinguishers don't really work that well. "Cold Fire" cans are a joke. Water just spreads the fire. Compressed Air Foam Systems are the best way to handle a methanol fire. If your "safety crew" isn't wearing proper personal protective equipment they can't fight fire properly or enter a burning wreckage and pull a driver out. Just because the insurance company doesn't require a safety crew or an ALS ambulance doesn't mean you don't need these things.

What's everyone's thoughts on safety crews???

Ben T.

"If you're gonna run the bottom, you might as well get 
a real job."

I was in attendece at Knoxville in 06 (grandstand) this was the first time I had gotten the chance to attend Knoxville during a race , I left that night with a empty feeling , I was to focused on a driver and not the rest of the nights races ,I dont even know Steve, Ive never meet him, being a new driver in these winged machines, I was devistated , something I love so much can bring so much harm,anger,and sadness to friends and competitors that share love for this sport , after hearing about Jake Peters injuries ,I will do everything within my pocketbook to provide myself with what I consider (modernly)safe , all drivers have to open thier minds to new avalible products, every year I have purchased a new saftey item as well as update my old ones, some saftey items WILL make you faster , its a mind thing "if i can drive this thing hard as hell, lap after lap, with no fears, thats my concern and comfort" If youve never backed your car (accidentally) into a hole and somehow recovered without thinking "how did I not knock myself completly out of the ballpark", than you know what im talking about , Ive hit craders in some tracks that ring your bell pretty dam good , it takes a lap just to shake it off ! I might not purchase the new MSD Mag this year but i hope ill be around to purchase it next year, Drivers do what is nessassary to protect your own ass , products are avalible , freinds or foe , we all want to be around for a beer or laughs , afterwards Goodluck!

Being a racer myself; I think it's really the ultimate responsibilty of the drivers (and teams). There are lots of safety options available that most drivers don't even make use of today. Most are very inexpensive (when compared to the total cost of racing).

Underwear has been noted as not being used. Lots of drivers don't wear headsocks either. The Hans (and similar devices) is still only used by a minority of drivers. Knee restraints. Fume deflectors. Steel yokes. Straps on torque tubes (to complement hoops). Taller chassis. All proven safety devices/options that drivers and teams don't adopt (on mass).

We (XXX) build chassis, and offer safety bars and halos FREE. We even go as far as to recommend them. Most racers still specifically order them without. I think every chassis manufactuer in the industry will tell you the advantages of those.

Unfortunately, until the drivers advocate safety for themselves, I think it is somewhat of an uphill battle. But a very worthy cause.

What is a fume deflector?  Also, somebody mentioned the Raceiver. They are great! 9 times out of 10, they are already hollering over the radio before you even see the caution light "caution caution,spin, turn 4, stay low!!!" or some such. It also helps get the lineup straightened out quicker. Our series promotor bought a whole bunch, and does a rent-to-own deal at $10 per race.

Thanks, John

If a professional driver uses equipment that puts him at a disadvantage he won't be employed for long. If you are an owner, a top notch driver decides what he uses, or he finds another ride. This is why it is important for sanctioning bodies to be involved. I'm sorry you never met Steve King Dirt Devil. You missed meeting a first rate person.