Dirt Late Models

I really enjoy watching Dirt Late Models (DLM) race!

When I work races involving DLM's, I am reminded of how much I wish we would make a safety-related change. The window/roll cage configuration is just not practical in terms of the driver getting out in bad conditions. I have worked numerous flips involving DLM's and it is always very difficult for a driver to get out while the vehicle is upside down. Now, let's add a fire to the equation...not sure I like how it might turn out. Having a full-containment seat makes egress even more challenging...and the better seats are NEEDED...think personal roll cage!

It is time for the DLM community to take action on this situation and increase the vertical distance from the top edge of the door tin to the lowest surface of the roof panel/halo bar. This distance, again, is measured vertically...NOT on the diagonal. A practical specification would also be needed for an unencumbered horizontal measurement.

In a perfect world a total change would be made immediately...and it is not a perfect world. In the mean time, I am sure a formula can be worked out to give an advantage (weight, etc) to those who go to the new chassis/cage configuration...time and natural attrition will see the older style chassis going by the wayside.

It is nice to see an increasing number of DLM's using modern techonolgy seats...there are still those who cling to ineffective seats, poor seat mounting ideas, and unsafe seat belt mounting methods. Drivers...if you do not look out for yourselves and move toward safer seats and associated concepts, eventually someone will force the issue.

Remember, everyone goes home standing up!