acpat
Well-Known Member
sorry for your friend and family.
A common issue in rallying.... hitting trees sideways. A way to set up the seats better is to run 2 smaller tubes sideways across the floor for the seat to bolt to. Weld the outer ends to a sill tube preferably, or the rocker if no sill bar is installed; put the other ends through slightly larger 'slip' tubes welded to/through the tunnel. In that way, the the seat can move inward a bit if you have a hard sideways hit that crushes in the side bar, sill bar, and rocker on the driver's side.The seat & belts were bolted to the floor pan.
They all came loose.
It doesn't matter how many bars that are in it, if the seat & belts don't keep you in place.
This is making me rethink one of my cars, as the seat is bolted to the floor pan without being tied to the cage.
A common issue in rallying.... hitting trees sideways. A way to set up the seats better is to run 2 smaller tubes sideways across the floor for the seat to bolt to. Weld the outer ends to a sill tube preferably, or the rocker if no sill bar is installed; put the other ends through slightly larger 'slip' tubes welded to/through the tunnel. In that way, the the seat can move inward a bit if you have a hard sideways hit that crushes in the side bar, sill bar, and rocker on the driver's side.
Sounds like the victim suffered a basilar skull fracture.... same thing that got Dale Earnhart. The only way to have a hope to survive this is a head & neck restraint like a HANS or Simpson Hybrid or similar device that is SFI 38.1. They are not really rated for 100% sideways impacts; the only thing for full side impacts is side nets and on both sides of you head, or a seat with wings by your head.
We have to have the H&N restraints for all sanctioned rallying now... no exceptions. The side head support is not mandated.
Its sad to see
Sorry for everyone involved
Especially when safety equipment , tech inspection and driver error are to blame.
But with the speeds involved in drag racing we all run the risk of death even with the best tracks, equipment , teck inspections and skills
People who love to drag race know there are possibilities of accidents and still do it
Please don't take this the wrong way as I meant no disrespect to anyone
Was his cage adequate for 10.80's?
How many passes did he make before he wrecked?
He knew the car was in the 9.20'same with high 150's low 160's in late February.
If he lied to tech, I don't know that I could blame tech or the track, unless he was making several passes at that speed.
Either way, I've been stopped for running high 13's with no helmet there back in the early 2000's time frame. I haven't raced there in years, so maybe they're much looser with their enforcement now.