I cannot believe people are still so ignorant as to getting in a car without a HANS device. I guess the crash testing done by Ford and GM with the HANS was just a fairytale.

On the other hand, I love the idea of wearing a Leatt Brace over a HANS device. That is, if you like your restraint breaking and a plastic piece stabbing you in the neck.

So much better.....

[RacinJason]

The USAC rules do NOT say any SFI approved head and neck restraint. The only approved head and neck restraints are the SFI 38.1 approved that are listed in their rulebook. There are 4 of them and the Leatt Brace is NOT one of them. Oh and I did call USAC to verify it. If anyone has any questions about which is approved they too should call USAC. It would sure suck buying something you couldn't use based on possible bad information.



.

[smbpreformance]

I copied it straight from the USAC Rule Book

http://www.usacracing.com/images/sto..._appendixd.pdf

Apendix D
Section 326
Paragraph A
Line 6

It then referances Figure 11
http://www.usacracing.com/images/sto...ustrations.pdf

Which then lists 4 different restraints with pictures

I know the reason they do not require any restraint over another is so the rule can be alive and change with the SFI Approvials and once a device gets approved it can be used

[cecil98]

I'm with Broc on this one. Let the racers decide. If you want to make them really safe, mandate fenders, doors and a big "go-kart rental" style spring metal bumper all the way around the car. Better yet, put them on rails. Racing can be made much, much safer then it is now but, nobody will watch it.

Originally Posted by cecil98 Racing can be made much, much safer then it is now but, nobody will watch it.

This is the logic that kills racecar drivers.

And you were a promoter once?

[cecil98]

This is the logic that kills racecar drivers. And you were a promoter once?.........NJDMONEY

Yep. Promotor, Modified driver, Sprint car driver, Sprint car owner and Father of a Sprint car driver. Anyone who discounts the allure that danger has had to the sport of auto racing (or many other sports for that matter) is kidding himself. Danger and money are what separates the people in the grandstand from the people on the track. Take away the money factor and there has to be something that differentiates the fan from the participant. Otherwise, anyone can do it and then, who would pay to see something they can do themselves. I'm telling you, NJD, you can make them as safe as you want but, you can't tell me there isn't a point at which they would hold no more interest for you. Why do you think extreme sports are so popular with younger kids (to the point of ignoring auto racing)? It's the danger. If it doesn't take bravery to do something and there is no risk, then there can't be any heros. People will pay to see heros exhibit their bravery and skill, but few will buy a seat to watch every Tom, Dick and Harry (and their 13 year old sons and daughters) ride a roller coaster at an amusement park. You can make them that safe if you want to. Would you buy a seat to watch teenagers play a racing video game? It takes a lot of skill to be good at it. Yeah, it sounds nice and possibly even politically correct to espouse "safety at all costs" but, most of us know better than that. We've already got them to the point where a 13 year old,
98 lb girl with arms the size of a twig can drive them, and parents aren't worried about strapping their children in them. How much farther do you want to go?
I know this is going to be an unpopular position with many of you but, it's true. I'll stand back now and take my beating.

[PJ Wright]

I understand the reasons why there is doubt about the level of help a HANS might or might not provide in a side impact.However, many of the flips I've seen slow motion video of shows the drivers head violently snapping forward when the car finally slams the ground, even when the flip has been basically a barrel roll.
I don't want to rehash what all was debated after the KO deal at the Chili bowl, but speaking just as a fan, driver safety is very important to me. I know that to some the element of danger is part of what draws them to racing. But can anyone honestly say that if we went 3 or 4 years without a fatality, they would lose interest? I sure hope not.
If I go to a race and the track is real dusty, oh well. If there are, to my way of thinking, too many support classes, I'll deal with it. If the concession food isn't good, I'll stop at Steak n' Shake on my way home. But nothing is guaranteed to ruin my enjoyment of racing or likely to keep me away from the track like a driver getting seriously injured or worse.

Originally Posted by cecil98 Yep. Promotor, Modified driver, Sprint car driver, Sprint car owner and Father of a Sprint car driver.

So basically your attitude is "We can't make them completely safe, so let's make them as dangerous as possible"

Your ideal racecar must include no head and neck device, no seat belts, and no cages.

Almost like the 1960s. Why am I not surprised?

[RacinJason]

I'll take my cage off:Steer


,

[turn4]

Originally Posted by cecil98 Anyone who discounts the allure that danger has had to the sport of auto racing (or many other sports for that matter) is kidding himself. Danger and money are what separates the people in the grandstand from the people on the track. Take away the money factor and there has to be something that differentiates the fan from the participant. Otherwise, anyone can do it and then, who would pay to see something they can do themselves. I'm telling you, NJD, you can make them as safe as you want but, you can't tell me there isn't a point at which they would hold no more interest for you. Why do you think extreme sports are so popular with younger kids (to the point of ignoring auto racing)? It's the danger. If it doesn't take bravery to do something and there is no risk, then there can't be any heros. People will pay to see heros exhibit their bravery and skill, but few will buy a seat to watch every Tom, Dick and Harry (and their 13 year old sons and daughters) ride a roller coaster at an amusement park. You can make them that safe if you want to. Would you buy a seat to watch teenagers play a racing video game? It takes a lot of skill to be good at it. Yeah, it sounds nice and possibly even politically correct to espouse "safety at all costs" but, most of us know better than that. We've already got them to the point where a 13 year old, 98 lb girl with arms the size of a twig can drive them, and parents aren't worried about strapping their children in them. How much farther do you want to go? I know this is going to be an unpopular position with many of you but, it's true. I'll stand back now and take my beating.

You are 100% correct cecil.:respect:
Phil Thrasher