I’m not on this board to get into pissing matches with people, but I do have one more thing.

I think the point of view of the people who are on KO’s side is being misunderstood. There is NO WAY I personally would do that. It’s not an added risk that I see is necessary for ME to take. I just don’t think KO should be crucified like he is being by some as doing the worst thing in the history of racing. I’m not saying it was smart move nor that safety isn’t important. Again, I wouldn’t have done it, but I’m not going to rake a guy over the coals for doing it. My point is just because you wouldn’t choose to do it, don’t blast the guy for it. That’s my only point.

Also, I don’t agree with the point of saving people from themselves. I was taught a long time ago… I make a decision, I’m responsible for the outcome. It’s always someone else’s fault in the world today. It's the officials fault because they let me. Sorry, no dice for me. You have that mentality, you're what's wrong with the world today. I know there are people who are like that and it's sad.

As for the traumatized kid argument, I disagree on that too. I’ve been going to races since I was about 7 years old. I saw some pretty bad things as a kid and it didn’t traumatize me. Others saw terrible things as a kid and they still go. The first Indy 500 I ever attended I saw one of the worst accidents I’ve ever seen (even to this day). Patrick Bedard had a terrible accident between 3 and 4, right in front of me. There was barely a tub left of the car after it stopped barrel rolling. It took a long time to get him out and he looked lifeless when they did get him out of the car. I remember telling my dad that he had to be dead based on what I just saw in front of me (which fortunately he wasn’t, I’m not sure he ever raced again). I had never seen anything like that before. To this day, I remember everything of that accident like it happened an hour ago. I’ve been to every race since. If that had affected me, then I wouldn’t have ever gone to a race again. If you’re worried about a kid seeing something bad at a race track, they are in the wrong place. Bad things are going to happen in racing and that’s the bottom line unfortunately. We all wish it was different, but it can’t be.

Sure bad things happen in racing - given that, I see no reason to tempt fate ever more

That is a very good point PJ, and I don't want you to think I'm picking a fight here. In enjoy this board very much, and am more of a "Stenhouse puzzle" guy (which we need some fresh ones please) than anything but,......it could be argued that fenders, wings, wrap-around nerf bars, and halon systems have been around for years, similar to fire alarms, and that not using them is as irresponsible as not having a fire alarm.

HANS devices are available, but not everyone uses one. Some have worn one in the past, but no longer do. Do you consider that a step backwards for those folks? Or "stupid"? Who's responsibility is it to decide?

I suspect there is a balance created by the number of injuries and deaths that occur in our sport. I imagine if we had a large number of fires, halon systems might become a requirement. Kind of like raising the fences to keep the Indy cars out of the stands. It became a problem, and it was addressed. Maybe the level of safety equipment for drivers, crews, track personnel, and fans is simply dictated by the events that unfold over time. Perhaps if neck injuries occured more often, more racers would wear the HANS, etc.

Apparently, KO was willing to risk running in a T-shirt and open faced helmet. His decision. Right or wrong, cool or stupid, it was his decision, and no official must have told him he couldn't.

:action-smiley-049: I'm sorry for being so blind Duane... I didn't know the Chili Bowl was in Fort Wayne, IN... :doh:

As I said earlier, where is the same outrage over the many, many drivers I saw at the Chili Bowl this year without neck braces, nomex hoods, arm restraints and head restraints? These are pieces of safety equipment that have been proven to reduce racing related injuries and deaths, but I saw more "bare" necks this week than I can ever remember. How is that any different than driving without the top part of the drivers suit? Don't slam one person just because he was more obvious than the others.

Back in "the day" when I worked on "Supers" (pump gas with a battery on board), most cars had fire suppression system on them with discharge nozzles under the hood, in the drivers compartment and one near the tail tank filler/overflow . All of the teams are so weight conscience now, they would have to be forced to run them now.

That is a very valid point, Hawker. Although KO has been the focus of this thread it does apply to anyone who wears less than the full complement of safety gear available.

C'mon, people - if K.O. was really sincere about being "old school", he would have ditched the 5 point harness and used a "Sam Brown" belt. And wearing the bottom half of a fire suit"? What, was he chicken or something?

"You can't teach stupid" - Ron White

That isn't likely to ever happen unless the guy is married, because if he is single e will never be able to cook again. Or am I the only one who uses those as cooking timers? :emote20:

Because of injuries and deaths from fires in the past, fireproof racing uniforms are now a requirement.