rebelracewriter Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 Race Safe 2012 by Shannon 'Slider' Young Racing is just around the corner and as cars are just about ready, take time to make them safe! Please don't just do the minimum the rules call for! Put a lil extra padding on the cage where you can make contact, not just when your sitting on all four but when the car might be on its side and roof! Round off corners on sheet metal, not just where you can reach but everywhere! Someone might be trying to get in your car from any direction to help you, make it safe for them also! Check your belts, if they are getting old or worn, replace them! Seat belts soaked at the car wash, baking out in the sun, or even in a hot shop can weaken to the point of replacing even after one season! Another thing the tracks and sanctions need to look at more is drivers fire suits! Ive seen way to many out of date, dirty, just plain worn out, torn, and unsafe fire suits being used! I know fire suits can cost alot of money but you can find great deals on 2 layer fire suits if you shop around the internet! Single layer fire suits should be outlawed period! However since they are legal and some people do use them at the very least get carbonX style underwear! M rated helmets, older helmets, and out dated helmets should also be replaced! Even if the helmet looks good but it has been used for a season check it make sure its in good condition! Sweat and baking in the trailer or shop all week can deteriorate a helmet fast! Racing shoes and gloves should be a no-brainer but I see alot that are held together with duct tape...replace them! Its hard to hold your baby or brush your teeth if you lose your fingers to a fire! On-board fire system do not cost that much and can buy you time when you most need it! They don't weigh much and are easy to install and maintain! Don't race without one, the one time you don't, might be the time you need it! Also use jack stands at the track and at the shop, its common sense! Being safe and coming home from the track is more that just for the driver! Its for the drivers families and the spectators that don't want to see something needless happen on the track! No one wants to lose a husband, brother, sister, hero, rival, or father to something that could have been prevented with a lil extra time in the shop! If you cant afford to be safe, you cant afford to race...its as simple as that! Hope everyone has a safe 2012 racing season! Good luck to all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SassyCassie14 Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 AMEN TO THAT SLY!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radracr Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 Rebel...For many of the reasons you just mentioned we bought a new two-layer suit, HANS, Simpson Helmet, gloves and shoes. For many years I wore a single-layer suit. Last year I wore it with torn sleeves and legs... ...All it took was for me to look around and see my family and the things that they enjoy...and off I went to a sponsor of HMP to buy my stuff. Granted, I had the funds to do so. Many, many do not. As you stated, you can get great deals on single layer suits. I would agree with you that tracks should check the driver's gear. I have seen the track inspect my belts. And, also nitpick me on how I sealed up my car (for fire). I have never argued about safety related stuff. I appreciate what the track is doing. I'm also borderline anal when it comes to sharp edges in my car..though the reason I sand them is for the kids who want to climb in. My rollbar padding is old and will most likely be replaced. But here's the bottom line: Even though I can replace most of these safety items I too find myself spending money on the latest go-fast part for my car...over buying safety gear. I have a fire extinguisher...which is just enough to meet the rules. The other reason I upgraded was because my son, on occasion gets in my car. My conscience wouldn't let that continue. I have first hand knowledge of not using the jack stands. One night, many years ago, we were dialing in the rear roll-out for a big race. All I had at the time was a K-mart jack. One of my crew jacked up the RR tire and it APPEARED that the LR was off the ground. The lug nuts came off. And...then...I reached in with my left hand on top of the tire and my right at about the 5 o'clock position and pulled..................the jack twisted and the car came down....on my left hand. I now have a scar on my left hand because of the sharp sheet metal of the LR fender coming down on my hand. I reacted by pulling my hand out. I was rushed to the ER where they put in 14 stitches. I made it back to the track in time to practice and run the race. The announcer, and the fans, screamed when I went out for practice. But my hand hurt like h..e...double hockey sticks. Even to this day I will not put my hand on top of a tire regardless of how the car is jacked up. Thanks for bringing this up. My old single layer suit is now in the landfill. John Winne #55 HMP NASCAR Stock Car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arob Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 Great post, reb.As a fan who has been to a few of the area tracks I have noticed the fire suits some of the drivers wear and shake my head.And some of the worst are on top tier drivers!Mismatched, torn , paper thin , too small etc. I guess the tracks don't want to be stricter fearing losing some cars. Really the onus should be on the driver.His family gives up a lot so he/she can race the least he/she can do is protect him/her self as much as they can for them in case of a bad accident. Not only could it end a racing hobby it could be a life changing event at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doitinthedirt Posted February 4, 2012 Report Share Posted February 4, 2012 it should open the eyes to alot of drivers . it did to me , even knowing better as somebody that takes safety classes all the time. think of your kids your wife ,an the rest of your family. BE SAFE............ RICK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBSF Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 One good use for old fire suits is use them in the shop or pits to work in and around your car. As hot as it is in Texas and most everywhere else during race season, I still see most folks working on their car while wearing that high-dollar safety device. I believe that time usually permits guys to actually change out of that nice suit into something else, hang up that nice looking one, and which would have several benefits: 1. Helps to keep it clean 2. Helps to make it last longer 3. Allows the sweat to dry somewhat 4. The old suit has a little protection left in it in case something happens fire-related in the pits. The SFI rating on a suit is for a new suit, and realistically that rating has to drop due to wear and contamination. I borrowed a friends 2-layer that he had outgrown (hey, it happens...) and I saw a major problem right away: It looked great, front and back, but the fabric on the inside had worn so thin on the back and butt you could see light through it, BAD! You might feel like you're still protected, but the areas that would be most exposed to a fire as you're leaving the car are vulnerable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BamaChief Posted February 7, 2012 Report Share Posted February 7, 2012 Rebel is dead on...Racers this can happen to you!!! Don't skimp on safety! This photo was taken by our track photographer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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