IndianaOpenWheel.com Sprint Car & Midget Racing Forum





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fasster23 (Offline)
  #1 1/21/11 1:11 AM
Curious about opinions on arm restraints. Who has them integrated into your suit and who runs the removable style? I'm sending my suit off to Simpson to get it altered and was going to have them sew on the restraints while it was their. I know some guys like the removable style so you can place it on your arms wherever you feel the most comfortable. I have long arms so I thought that having them below the elbow where they usually install them would probably be best.
9racing (Offline)
  #2 1/21/11 5:09 AM
its all a personal preff. on which to get.. I personally like the integrated restraints. No chance of losing them, never have to adjust them.. Just to me, they are just more convenient.
Likes: Dalton Dietrich
Hurryinhoosier (Offline)
  #3 1/21/11 7:46 AM
I have mine made into the suit as well..My racing is apples to oranges to sprint cars but theres no worry about losing them or them falling down while your racing.
TexasFocus18 (Offline)
  #4 1/21/11 1:05 PM
In the suit... Only way to go.
cshuman (Offline)
  #5 1/21/11 4:26 PM
I use ones in the suit, and it is definately the easiest, but not the safest, your sleeves can slide up your arm, I believe Cory Kruseman had a problem with that at Sacramento in a pretty violent midget crash. The arm restraints that go around your wrist I think are the safest, just a little more of a pain.
treecitytornado (Offline)
  #6 1/21/11 4:39 PM
I always have ran the kind that you slide on and off. You can put them where you want and don't have to worry about them ripping out of your suit in a hard crash. JMO
Isaac Chapple Racing (Offline)
  #7 1/21/11 5:02 PM
I've used both types and I recommend the ones sewn into your suit. Once you get them adjusted to where you need them you will never have to adjust them again. And I like them being right in the middle of your forearm. JMO though...
Bad Dad 54 (Offline)
  #8 1/21/11 10:14 PM
Info I've picked up: Holding the steering wheel in a crash some say not to do this as you can damage your wrist and hand by doing this. Not always possible in a crash, you may pass out. Learn to drive with your thumbs on top of the steering wheel. When you bang wheels and you will and it’s your front wheels your steering wheel can get whipped around and the cross braces can break or severely damage your thumbs. In a crash and about to hit something hard keep your hands off your belts and the racecar framework. A sprint car in a flip end over end and changing directions (90mph / 60deg) can pull up to 14G’s. An average male arm weighs 20lbs, now figure 14G’s X 20 lbs = 280 pound mass. Now figure in Newton’s 2nd Law which is Force = Mass X Acceleration. Example multiply distance from lap to end of out stretched arm = 1680 pounds of mass when that arm reaches the end of that restraint. Jim Diest suggest pads be used to spread load on your arm and fastened around forearm just below elbow to prevent from sliding up. 1” Straps are not enough; a driver had a bicep muscle torn in a flip. Speculation: small straps wrapped around arm above elbow and as drivers’ arm stretched up the arm strap moved causing this injury. A driver had the restraints sewn in suit just above arms and the D-rings outside suit the crash resulted in separated shoulder. Do not use restraints where the rings are pressed together, pressed together D-rings will fail very easily; rings should be beefy and welded together. An un-welded ring failed at 87½-pound pull. Use restraints with heavy duty snap on type attachment, still not best but will do, replace as needed. Keep short enough to keep arms inside cockpit in crash but long enough to steer properly. Check to be sure they do not snag your harness release.

---------- Post added at 09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:14 PM ----------

Sounds like I ranted & raved a litle but it's your life, all the info above I've gathered over the years.
AustinSprinter (Offline)
  #9 1/22/11 12:29 AM
Originally Posted by cshuman:
I use ones in the suit, and it is definately the easiest, but not the safest, your sleeves can slide up your arm, I believe Cory Kruseman had a problem with that at Sacramento in a pretty violent midget crash. The arm restraints that go around your wrist I think are the safest, just a little more of a pain.
Hmmmmmmm'...RattleSnake Bend,Az...Somewhere btween Yuma & Parker eh Shu!!...ha!ha!ha!..
_________
Brucer'
fasster23 (Offline)
  #10 1/23/11 4:29 AM
Thanks for all the feedback. Very informative and much appreciated. Thanks again
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