Safety Equipment Questions

#1

In light of events last weekend and a lack of information about the kind of safety devices in the car… I was wondering if any of you Mid-Ohio guys could share any details?

I realize this is a dangerous hobby. And we are all taking our chances. But ever since hearing of the death of a fellow racer, I’ve been wondering if there was anything we could learn from this loss that might help us better protect ourselves from ever having to experience what his friends and family are going through.

Does anyone one if it was a 6 point cage, or an 8 point? Was there a knee bar? Did the welds fail?
What kind of seat, seat mounts and harness he was using?
What kind of speeds were involved in the accident?

I hope no one will take my questions as anything but concern for the safety of myself and my fellow racers.

My thoughts are with his friends and family.

Thanks
Scott

#2

Scott - I too read this news. It is devastating. The only report that gave any real news was at http://sccaforums.com/forums/1/260557/ShowThread.aspx

Going to mid-ohio and planning on looking at all safety gear closely.
Ed

#3

Hey guys, I was there and out of respect to his friends & family I’m not going to comment on the incident. I will say Scotty B’s statement in that thread were not 100% correct. Godspeed John.

#4

Very sad indeed. Scott, thanks for starting this thread. It is easy to become complacent the longer we go without something catostrophic happening. My prayers will be with the family and friends.

If anything can be learned from this I guess it is 1.) You can’t have enough safety equipment and 2.) The importance of corner workers getting the caution out for oil on the track. Even the best driver can’t correct for loss of grip due to oil.

#5

from the accounts that I’ve read, the debris flag was out at the station before the slick, and the yellow was out at the next station since the car off track was past that station, so it doesn’t sound like there was improper flagging.
bruce

Gasman wrote:

[quote]Very sad indeed. Scott, thanks for starting this thread. It is easy to become complacent the longer we go without something catostrophic happening. My prayers will be with the family and friends.

If anything can be learned from this I guess it is 1.) You can’t have enough safety equipment and 2.) The importance of corner workers getting the caution out for oil on the track. Even the best driver can’t correct for loss of grip due to oil.[/quote]

#6

Bruce, Sorry if I implied that I thought there was improper flagging. My comment was not intended to suggest that I thought there was. Maybe its just me, but I don’t typically think oil when I see a debris flag. Maybe I should.

edit: in my limited experience, previous races have shown debris and caution at the same time for oil.

#7

Gasman wrote:

[quote] Maybe its just me, but I don’t typically think oil when I see a debris flag. Maybe I should.
[/quote]

You should, think coolant too. A debris flag can be anything from a turtle on track (yes I have hit one of those), to body parts to fluids.

#8

At Summit this past weekend a 944 puked it’s engine and several of us got sideways. Seeing the trail of smoke from the car, I was expecting it.

Just another indicator that a problem might lie ahead.

Carter

#9

Does Huggies have a diaper that will fit a 944? :wink:

#10

did you know that there are actually SFI specs for engine diapers? :lol:

http://goodvibesracing.com/DJ%20Engine%20Diapers.htm

#11

I just delivered my engine to the builder and the cardboard did a pretty good job of containing the last bit of oil that didn’t drain at the shop.

The engine was on its side, in the back of a midsize SUV.

A big diaper (or several regular diapers under the engine) would have worked better though.

Carter

#12

Carter wrote:

[quote]I just delivered my engine to the builder

Carter[/quote]

New motor for Nationals? Inquiring minds want to know :wink: