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racinrob · **Joined:** Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:28 pm **Posts:** 456

GOSHOW wrote:

racinrob wrote:

I am suprised they don't wear chest and shoulder protectors like a motocross racer. Most every sprint car driver I have asked has said they have been nailed in the chest and shoulders from cars passing to the inside on a turn.

Understandable and true, but you need to pull your belts as tight to your body as you can get them. I have seen Bobby Allen pull his shoulder belts down then wiggle himself down in the seat more and pull them tight again. Belts stretch as it is and the more play between your body and the belt the more they stretch. Montieth's head hit the steering wheel and broke his helmet a few weeks ago at the Grove if you can imagine that stretch. Very lucky as that is exactly what a base skull fracture comes from. I know they are not the most popular thing with drivers but a Hans or similar device is important. My grandson has a small Hans for Cage Kart racing and I wouldn't catch him running without it.

I agree with the belts.

The shoulder protection I was thinking of was not up on the shoulders, but actually more of an upper arm guard. I have seen just a few cars have a panel that slides into place once the driver gets in to protect him from that big opening.

I would think if someone really wanted to they could come up with some chest protection that went under the firesuit or went on after the belts were pulled tight.

Back to the rock screen, wasn't it Van May that lost an eye to a rock?

ziggy196 · **Joined:** Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:00 pm **Posts:** 127

Yes it was Van who lost an eye to a rock. I was talking to big block one night at the grove about this and he said that Van ran a rock screen but did not have it in that night and look what happened. the thing that bothers me is if you have something like a muffler or a spindle come in the cockpit then you could have a serious injury or possibly even a fatality. every driver is different but this sport is dangerous enough that every precaution should be taken. the track mandates a 2 layer fire suit, they check the dates on your belts and helmet and make you wear gloves so would making a rock screen mandatory really be that far off base in driver safety. would probably help with insurance as well

JTR13 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 26, 2012 8:10 am

I know I'm repeating the question at hand here, but why are rock screens not a requirement under in the rules??? Heck even Susky requires at least 3 bars to be placed in front of the driver, I know this won't help with rocks and smaller mud chunks, but it I know for a fact I've had a couple tail pipe sections and a few body panels bounce off of mine and not make it into the cockpit with me...

Bill Mc · **Joined:** Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:17 am **Posts:** 4989

Because the tracks around here are scared to be sued if they make a driver do something and he gets hurt. Even though other tracks mandate certain safety equipment and have never had a problem.

JOEDARRAH · **Joined:** Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:42 pm **Posts:** 414

Bill lawyers and law suits have made it difficult for any business to operate today! This is an Open **** pit car sh!t will come in at all angles! the safety aspect is how the driver is contained and protected when in a crash. there is so much other areas that are much more dangerous then the small area that you guys are talking about. Some time check out what Kasey did to the **** pit for the drivers of his cars after seeing the in car video of Joey's wreck at Eldora

scott moyer · **Joined:** Wed Sep 26, 2007 8:54 pm **Posts:** 995

Most drivers will resist anything that impedes their driving.
It's up to the fans and track to demand the use of safety gear.
Hans has saved so many lives it should be mandatory in all racing, including 1/4 midgets.
If the young kids use them from day one they'll always wear one.
Screen mandatory yes.
A friend of mine would never run a screen, one night he stopped on track for no reason.
Yep a rock plugged him really bad, he was lucky. Next time out he had a screen.

ziggy196 · **Joined:** Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:00 pm **Posts:** 127

JOEDARRAH wrote:

Bill lawyers and law suits have made it difficult for any business to operate today! This is an Open **** pit car sh!t will come in at all angles! the safety aspect is how the driver is contained and protected when in a crash. there is so much other areas that are much more dangerous then the small area that you guys are talking about. Some time check out what Kasey did to the **** pit for the drivers of his cars after seeing the in car video of Joey's wreck at Eldora

Joe I would love to see what kasey did to their cars if you have a photo but I disagree that saying the open area at the front of the car is not one of the more dangerous areas. if you have a car going forward at high speed and an object coming backwards at high speed then the force at witch this object hits is greater than if you hit anything stationary weather it is the wall or the the ground or another race car. what happened to Joey was a bad accident in witch his arm got broken, that will heal but if you take a radius rod or shock to the head then if it does not kill you you will most likely never be able to race again ask Van... it only takes one time for your luck to run out and when it does it is usually to late.I was not being a smart a$$ about the Kahne cars i would really like to see what they have done to make the driver safer and if your son chooses to run without a screen then I hope him the best of luck and that he never needs one.

GOSHOW · **Posted:** Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:11 am

Joe that was my question in the other topic to Nugs. Is Cody's new GF1 a copy of those cars they were running earlier? They are a wider car aren't they? Which gives them more room inside. :dontknow:

Just curious the new car worked well and they seemed to be struggling a little with the other cars.

JOEDARRAH · **Joined:** Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:42 pm **Posts:** 414

Terry it is the wide version. no doubt the windshield would be an area to be concerned with but in an open cockpit there are a lot of areas to protect. Cody doesn't wear a $200 helmet either as they have come a long way too.

GOSHOW · **Posted:** Fri Jul 27, 2012 8:26 am

Was just wondering about the car it worked really well. The other issues are driver preferance although my grandson won't run without a hans..My preferance.. :thumbleft:

You are exactly right Joe, I bought Trey a new Helmet at the start of this year. $800 to race Cage Karts. There are some things you just get the best you can and pray.

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