Food for thought...safety equipment

[Damn True]

Originally Posted by SBDave

To those that race and use these devices I'm curious how long a typical race is (and what kind of racing your doing). In my off road races I'm in the car 3hrs minimum with no breaks unless we flat (or need to pit). So weight of items becomes more critical (helmet in particular... Hans not so much).

Dave

The endurance racing car that I work with runs about 2:45 to 3:00 stints on fuel (depending on the track and FCY's). The longest we've run is 3:20 at Miller.

So at Thunderhill, that's about 90 laps and 1350 corners.

Most cars can't run as long as us on fuel. Most are at/around 2hrs and will sometimes double stint a driver. We can't double stint, 6hrs is just too long so we change drivers on every stop. Our best drivers will wind up with 3 stints and one or two of them will have 2 stints for a 25hr race.

[Damn True]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Dave -- Good question.

At the track days I've been too --- 20 minute sessions... with 40 or so minutes in between.


I have a carbon fiber helmet -- recently bought - because of the Lotus being open cockpit and the high wind velocities hitting my fat little head --- and I also bought a HANS device. My regular helmet works(ed) just fine in the Mustang... and in there - it's difficult to get the helmet and HANS on --- so I gave up using the HANS in the Mustang. After watching the video -- I'm going back to wearing it regardless of how difficult it seems to be. Because it just isn't that hard.

It can be a bear getting in/out of some cars with a HANS and helmet on and in some cars you can't put it on once you are in the car. It's less trouble though than being a quadriplegic....or worse. Good decision.

[BMR Sales]

A tough thing to do when wearing a HANS is fastening your Belts especially in a Multi-Driver Car. The Fact that you can see down makes finding the Belts tough.

[Damn True]

Originally Posted by BMR Sales

A tough thing to do when wearing a HANS is fastening your Belts especially in a Multi-Driver Car. The Fact that you can see down makes finding the Belts tough.

Yep. This why nearly all endurance teams use 1-2 assistants for the driver change. In most cases the driver hops in and puts his hands up while the attendants fasten and snug the belts, they'll then put a hand on the belt over the HANS to ensure it stays in place while the driver reefs down on the shoulder adjusters.

[GregWeld]

It's the same reason I let Charley race with me.... he has to help me with my belts and make sure the hood pins are in - and checks my tire pressures.

[Track Junky]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

It's the same reason I let Charley race with me.... he has to help me with my belts and make sure the hood pins are in - and checks my tire pressures.

Cant wait till Charley sees this one

[intocarss]

Hans *

[GregWeld]

The "degrees" are for SEAT position.... not body shape. Although I would add that they could certainly be used for certain body types I guess... They need to be comfortable.


There's some VERY good information in this video -- and watching it is worthwhile.

[intocarss]

I know GW, I was just showing the difference in them.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by intocarss

I know GW, I was just showing the difference in them.

YOU know and I know - others read these threads that maybe don't.... So I always like to post as though there's 10 gazillion people reading that would like more, or complete, info.