[Al Soran]

Great to see safety threads. Lots of good ideas being kicked around can only help.

My $.02 would be that this can be a win/win. We all love high speed and are always striving for more, that is what it is all about. But, if everyone were on a tire that durometered out at about a 90, we could effectively slow that cars down, thereby increasing safety, and cut the tire bills at the same time. Win/win. A side benefit would be that the local budget racer wouldn't get beat by a guy with unlimited funds for soft tires. Now, let the beatings begin.:icon_smile_blackeye

Also, how about contacting a group like USAC, or even HARF to create a committee that would visit each track pre or post season to inspect the track, walls, fencing, flagstand, grandstands, pits, etc. to offer suggestions on how to make the entire facility safer? It wouldn't take a panel of "experts", just some safety minded folks to offer some opinions to the track owners/officials. Who knows what that might lead to, perhaps this group could even offer a "safety certification" that could be tied into some sort of discounts for insurance for the track?

[HARFprez]

thanks Al for the confidence you have in us. we all know that tracks try the best they can, and it's a huge job, but surprisingly sometimes it's something right under your nose that you don't see. personal example, my wife has ms and needs a wheelchair or scooter to get around and at the race tracks has issues with grab bars in the restrooms, something most of us don't even think about, but very important to her. obviously something a track owner wouldn't even think about but we have brought it to their attention and usually the very next week repairs are made, thus making her happier and safer (special thanks again to Gas City, Bloomington, & Kokomo). i think the same thing goes for track safety, sometimes the most obvious things aren't seen. one very old fashion and simple-minded idea (easy coming from me) is a suggestion box at the back gate for crews and drivers, i know the tracks will get alot of b.s., but possible some helpful ideas too.
the main idea in my opinion, and the one that has been around for years and years now, is reducing the width of the tires. who can say that the old Hoosier Hundreds in the 60's weren't some of the fastest and most exciting races ever.
j.m.h.o., but i hate to think about reducing the age of our drivers, i still have great memories of seeing a 13 year old Jeff Gordon at Bloomington kicking butt, but their safety and long life is so much more important. this will all be worked out, but face it, racing is dangerous, and drivers will be hurt, all we can hope to do is reduce the damage. necessity is the mother of invention. bob:checkered:

[D.O.]

The cage cap idea is lazyphoto;s idea from the get-go.
Great Idea.

Maybe some folkes could come up with a design, how to mount it? doesn't impinge on drivers vision? survive more than 1st impact.

Keep the ideas coming?

:dologob: will be having some safety guest on the show to talk about products out there. on Mondays @ 7 PM for the winter.
:Steer

[KRJoyce1]

Originally Posted by zeroracer after talking to some people i think the key idea is a safety inspection at the track... i honeslty dont think other than usac i have ever seen sprint car safety tech, im not trying to offend anyone but i think there is a lot more that could be done in making sure helmets were up to date, belts were sfi dated recent, belts are installed correctly, seats are mounted properly, there is enough head room between the top of the drivers helmet and cage, i mean the lis could go on and on, but like Andrew Prather and i were talking and he brought up the idea there should be a group of officials, one from each track that meet one a month, to come up with these standards, clear cars by tech stickers, all the years andy and i raced go karts out stuff was safety checked every day, i think people would be surprised how many cars arent really safe....

Broc,
This is very "spot on" as to what should be put in place. When I talk to a driver or a crew member about a possible issue on their car while I'm at the tracks, they are always thankful for the input, and most of the times, were not really aware of a possible issue. If one official was taught what to look for, and just did a weekly walk through the pits prior to hot laps with a tech check list, we could inform and fix A LOT of potential problems that ARE out there as you said. Let them run, but give them a week to correct the problem if needed, so when they come back the following week, the official would sign off/sticker the car and equipment.

Ken Joyce
KRJ Race Products LLC
Brownsburg, IN
ken@krjraceproducts.com

[sprintracer82]

after losing my father jerry landon 19 years ago in a mini champ, and my step father scott seaton last summer in a winged pavement car, i have seen many guys doing the wrong things with the right safety equipment. no sfi roll bar padding, no cage nets, seat belts that are too long and are over the seat edge with no bar under them. my dad didnt have much saftey equipment. in 1989 safety wasnt check like it should have been. with my step dad he had done everything right but it just wasnt enough.
i just think its part of our sport. when my grandfather ran super mods in the 60s and 70s guys were getting hurt all the time. things are much safer today than years past.
i do think there are guys that are great drivers, but do drive harder than they should at times. up here in michigan most of are tracks are dry and slick. after talking to some of the track owners they like it that way. it slows guys down and makes them drive their cars with finesse rather than balls. kinda sucks when it is to dusty to see but we arent trashing cars and sending drivers to hospital every night.

[Jack Dupp]

i honeslty dont think other than usac i have ever seen sprint car safety tech,

Never been checked at a local show for much more than the correct spec right rear tire.
At the first MSCS race we attended the car got a good look over by an official. It was
very comforting to know that safety was on their mind.

Necessary changes must take time to envision, engineer, evaluate and implement. In the
interim every car should be certified as meeting or exceeding current safety requirements.

{Just my2 pennies worth} Dave

i hate to see anyone get hurt in a racing accident but lets not turn this into nascar crap. drivers know about the dangers when they strap on that suit and helmet. that is what makes the thrill even more thrilling this isnt the best racing for nothing.

[zeroracer]

I think that safety superceeds all presedence for keeping the sport traditional, and letting people know the dangers, many times you dont realize its a problem until its too late

[Charles Nungester]

Originally Posted by zeroracer I think that safety superceeds all presedence for keeping the sport traditional, and letting people know the dangers, many times you dont realize its a problem until its too late

What upsets me is Ideas are ideas and inventions are inventions. Some work, some don't and those that do are great.

The thing that bothers me is the safety issues that exist, are mentioned a hundred times and never get attention. Padded bars, Blunt ended guardrails. Walls with no fence and drop offs behind them even parking lots, Low fences ect.
First fix the obvious and work on the whats possible.

[KRJoyce1]

Originally Posted by PupFan i hate to see anyone get hurt in a racing accident but lets not turn this into nascar crap. drivers know about the dangers when they strap on that suit and helmet. that is what makes the thrill even more thrilling this isnt the best racing for nothing.

Yes, they / we know the dangers of our sport, but they may not know what is a possible danger with the equipment or lack of, that could easily be put in place.....How is that NASCAR Crap. And what you call crap, was many dedicated hours led by a friend of many in this biz, the late Steve Peterson who's shoe's will be impossible to replace. Also a lot of research time and dollars by FIA,IRL, NHRA, GM, FORD, CHRYSLER, TOYOTA, SFI and others are being spent to help improve the safety of drivers in this sport we all love. We can, and do learn from these efforts, and if we can help others to apply it smartly and properly it is not crap. Tell a parent or a spouce of an injured driver "at least it was thrilling"............. I don't like tick people off on this board since I am a business owner, but your comments on this post Pup were way out of line.

Thank you,
Ken Joyce
KRJ Race Products
Brownsburg