Settlement regarding the Carerra GT deaths at Cal Speedway.
10-24-2007, 12:46 PM
#21
Has anyone ever studied the cost/benefit of a heavy helmet? It's got to contribute...
... to the stress on the neck in a crash (when used w/o a HANS device). I wonder if it might be safer without a helmet or with a much lighter helment whe driving an enclosed car (no cage).
10-24-2007, 01:20 PM
#22
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,646
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No helmet being preferable to a heavy helmet?
You've been on track (I think), I can't believe you're suggesting that.
The human head weighs 8lbs, and that weight alone is enough to rip your spine apart in a 100mph+ crash. The added weight of a helmet makes no difference, whether it's 2 or 5lbs.
A helmet is important because it's saves your head from all different types of collisions while a HANS is important only for a head on collision.
The human head weighs 8lbs, and that weight alone is enough to rip your spine apart in a 100mph+ crash. The added weight of a helmet makes no difference, whether it's 2 or 5lbs.
A helmet is important because it's saves your head from all different types of collisions while a HANS is important only for a head on collision.
10-24-2007, 02:09 PM
#23
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 21,726
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Today's helmets are considerably lighter. I cracked my neck (literally) with a severe side impact
wearing an older,(but current at the time)Bell Star 120, which weighed 49 oz. I think one's own concern for longevity and more importantly the event organizers should mandate helmets and Hans, given all that is currently known. Yeah, it's more expense, but so is croaking prematurely, or being paralyzed.
10-24-2007, 02:14 PM
#25
If you mandate HANS then you're mandating harnesses, and some say that means you need...
... a roll bar or cage. I can't say that I disagree, but that woudl greatly reduce the number of people able to participate in HPDEs.
10-24-2007, 06:06 PM
#27
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,646
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wonder if it might be safer without a helmet or with a much lighter helment...
...when driving an enclosed car (no cage)
It sounds like you were suggesting driving w/o a helmet on track. Maybe I interpreted it wrong.
It sounds like you were suggesting driving w/o a helmet on track. Maybe I interpreted it wrong.
10-25-2007, 05:11 AM
#28
I see the confusion. Oversimplified. For most impacts a helmet has to help, but...
... solely for purposes of basal skull incidents, I have to assume that a helmet might have contributed to the neck strain.
10-25-2007, 08:11 AM
#29
AudiWorld Awesome User
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Posts: 12,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RTFP: if you have a 4-wheel off, you go to the pits for a talking-to.
Multiple offs can and should result in a release. Every ACNA event I've attended recently (including the NAtional 2006) briefed this during the Drivers' meeting.
I've spun, and I've had to pit-in. It helps settle the nerves, let's the Instructor or official look you in the eye, and measure your response to coaching.
No single spin should normally be grounds fro release.
I've spun, and I've had to pit-in. It helps settle the nerves, let's the Instructor or official look you in the eye, and measure your response to coaching.
No single spin should normally be grounds fro release.
10-25-2007, 08:15 AM
#30
re-read what you originally posted: "A full "off" at ACNA requires pit entry. As an organizer, I'd
DNF someone..."
That means that after only 1 spin, you'd "DNF" someone.
That's why I disagreed with you.
That means that after only 1 spin, you'd "DNF" someone.
That's why I disagreed with you.