Concerned
 

Some drivers are a slim frame but I get concerned about the cockpit enclosures of some cars:11:. If they land upside down will the driver be able to get out fast enough if on fire:19:? DON'T UNFASTEN TILL SAFETY CREW GETS TO YOU OTHER WISE:14:. Some door knob not looking past the end of their hood may run into you & it's best if you're still strapped in. Let's be careful out there gang:6:

Re: Concerned
 

I'll be the first to say, I have no idea whats going on in that car that just flipped crashed, whatever. I'll also be the first to say It's not my job to tell you what to do or not.

However it does seem to me that a lot of drivers are jumping out before a possible addition to the crash is eliminated (Lots of cars still moving) Some at speed. As was mentioned above. Give it half a minute if unhurt and no imminent danger. The cage/seat saved you once, its the only thing that could from a second or third hit.:6:

Re: Concerned
 

Chuck, I don't think you'll see many "experienced" drivers, that eager to get out of their cage, sometimes even if there is a fire, there is always the possibility that a fire could happen, but I, for one, always wait till the safety crew gets to the car, if it's safe enough for them to get to me, it's safe enough for me to get out, besides, there is a bit of time for you to get over what just scrambled things up, in your mind, and you'll still get to hop out and wave that you survived, hopefully, no use taking a chance on getting peened by someone driving off their front bumper! Bob

Re: Concerned
 

As Roger Rager once told me, "After the crash, I ducked my head, closed my eyes tight and just hung on. After a bit, it got real quiet, so I reached down, unbuckled my belts and opened my eyes. That's when I looked down and saw the track lights, below me. And I KNEW, this wasn't going to be GOOD." Best not to be in too big a hurry to get out of the car.

steiny
:32:

Re: Concerned
 

Years ago at Ascot, Brad Nofsinger's brother Bart was killed when he exited his car too early (in anger, if I remember correctly, looking to go after the guy who dumped him) and was hit by an oncoming sprint car. With all the safety gear surrounding us these days, it's best to take a breath, and take stock of the situation...

Re: Concerned
 

That was Todd Noffsinger that got killed,that deal happened right in front of where I was standing in the pits.Not a pretty sight.

Re: Concerned
 

My dad has a picture of himself after he flipped his midget in the early 80s. He is looking at the ground to make he has stopped flipping before he takes off seat belts. He said just cause it is quite doesn't mean you're done flipping.

Re: Concerned
 

Thanks for the correction; at first I said Ace, but I knew that wasn't right.
A sad and preventable situation, in any case.

My father always said never take your belts off tell you hear those famous words " are you alright " words to live by :)

Re: Concerned
 

Here is how it goes.... When you can see ( or touch ) the ground from a complete stop, and you don`t hear any engines running ,turn the fuel and the mag off. Then survey your surroundings for an exit... Oh... and stay with the racecar because you are still in charge of it`s status until it gets back to the pits. The wrecker guy and track crew wants the mess cleared as quick as possible. They have low concern to what else gets broken or bent on its way back to where you will submit your excuse of the circumstance that lead up to the destruction.

Re: Concerned
 

If I see a driver w/ insufficient safety gear I'll say something, I hate seeing a hat passed around for an injured driver:(. But even so it's inevitable that someone is going to get hurt just hope it's not serious. Told Rick Nicols talking to drivers about safety equipment is like nailing Jello to a tree:15::deadhorse: So if ya see a fat ol man talkin to ya about your equipment it might be me ;):5:

Re: Concerned
 

I still cringe when I see guys without gloves or nothing under a single layer suit. I never had the money to race much, but I never went on track without the best personal safety gear on from head to toe.

I hear you there. I may not have the best car but my safety gear comes first. Full containment seat, 3 layer suit, gloves, good helmet, and I always install new belts every year. The belts thing is something I saw first hand back in my pavement days. Saw a guy have a pretty good wreck and built a new car, he moved his old belts from the other car to the new and when we belted him in, one of the cinch points actually pulled apart. At first glance, they looked like new but after removing them, the webbing was almost an inch longer and most of the metal was stretched too. Safety gear should always take the top priority when budgeting each year as one of the safety instructors at GM Performance always told us. The other thing I was told and someone mentioned it in an earlier post, unless there's a fire or spill, always wait til the safety crew gets there and asks if you're ok before unhooking and climbing out. Just a good practice.

Re: Concerned
 

That's how Opperman got hurt the first time

Re: Concerned
 

From what I have seen a lot of drivers listen to Rick and respect his thoughts and ideas when it comes to safety, knowing he is not just some guy that thinks he knows it all helps.

I know Josh looks forward to his visits to our pit.

Jerry #66j
stida.com / HalfMoon Resturant & Brewery
www.joshspencer.com

Re: Concerned
 

He knows me, met Rick at the yrs ago, saw him at the 4 Crown, my buddy asked him what he was cooking he said Baloney. I said, "Yeah but what on the grill" he laughed said I knew him pretty good, always a pleasure to see Rick