Why do rule-writers for sanctioning bodies continue to use tough sounding but hard to enforce language? Words like "strongly suggest" and "strongly recommended" are no longer appropriate. Everyone is concerned about being sued...heck, in our litigious society, being sued is way too common...and having said that, which side would you rather defend, rule language that is clear and more aggressive or language that is vague and less aggressive? I think you know where I am going. Even NASCAR, historically not the pinnacle of tough safety-related language, has adopted clear and aggressive language.
Support your promoter, track, or sanctioning body when they adopt improved safety-related rule language. There is a long list of things we should not have to be told to do as racers...utlilizing modern, SFI certified safety equipment is one of them!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Fire systems...pull the pin!
I came across a piece of disturbing information today...one of those things that you know needs to be said and no one wants to say it...I am willing to take on the task!
BEFORE YOU GO ON THE TRACK TO PRACTICE, QUALIFY, OR RACE, YOU MUST BE SURE YOUR FIRE SYSTEM IS READY TO GO...PULL THE PIN TO MAKE SURE IT IS READY FOR USE!
Late this summer, a SCCA competitor died as a result of inhalation burns...his car was on fire when he tried to drive to the pit road that was a long way away...it did not work out well...the investigation into the incident found the safety pin had not been removed to "arm" the system.
TWO POINTS NEED TO BE MADE:
1. If you think your car is on fire, get it stopped and get out NOW! It is not worth the risk!
2. Pull the pin to arm your fire system EVERY TIME you fasten your belts...make it a habit.
This tragedy needs to never be repeated.
BEFORE YOU GO ON THE TRACK TO PRACTICE, QUALIFY, OR RACE, YOU MUST BE SURE YOUR FIRE SYSTEM IS READY TO GO...PULL THE PIN TO MAKE SURE IT IS READY FOR USE!
Late this summer, a SCCA competitor died as a result of inhalation burns...his car was on fire when he tried to drive to the pit road that was a long way away...it did not work out well...the investigation into the incident found the safety pin had not been removed to "arm" the system.
TWO POINTS NEED TO BE MADE:
1. If you think your car is on fire, get it stopped and get out NOW! It is not worth the risk!
2. Pull the pin to arm your fire system EVERY TIME you fasten your belts...make it a habit.
This tragedy needs to never be repeated.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Concussion Discussion
It has been pretty hard to see a broadcast of ESPN's Sportscenter without hearing something about concussions and the NFL. One part of me is sick of hearing about it...another part of me is glad someone is finally paying attention. The "concussion discussion" is important to racing.
About 30 years ago at Midwestern speedway, while working on the safety team, I encountered a concussion situation that continues to amaze me. The problem started in hot laps when a dirt sprint car flipped violently...the driver was clearly unconscious on our arrival and was not breathing...the driver resumed breathing with our help opening his airway...soon regaining consciousness. The local EMS team was not very aggressive and allowed the driver to "sign off", not strongly insisting on him making a visit to the local ER.
Later in the event, the previously non-breathing driver came to visit our safety truck accompanied by a couple of officials from the sanctioning body. The officials came to ask me if I thought it was ok for the driver to go ahead and drive someone else's car that night. It did not take long for me to pick up my teeth and begin shaking my head negatively. The dangers of repetitive concussions had begun being discussed...simple medical logic made this a simple opinion...NO, THAT WOULD NOT BE A GOOD IDEA, IT WAS A TERRIBLE IDEA. The driver was quite unhappy with my opinion and told us so. I explained that I strongly believed he should have gone to the ER initially...not going then did not make it ok to risk another concussion in another car...oh, did I forget to mention he had a nasty case of "sprint car red eye?" Did he not think that something bad could have happened in his head if the flip caused blood vessels to break in his eyes? The officials agreed with my logic and DQ'd MY driver/friend for the night...only because we cared. Thank God.
Preventing concussions in racing incidents is huge...here are some ideas that will help:
1. wear the best helmet you can get your hands on...make sure it fits properly...Snell rated
nothing older than Snell 2000 SA, really should be 2005 SA...or 2010 very soon.
2. make sure your seat is equipped with strong, well built head supports with
proper padding...proper fit is also helpful...this is a huge issue...very beneficial tool!
3. wear a head/neck restraining device (not only for concussions, but will not hurt)
4. sprint car style nets on both sides of upper seat
5. did I mention using a full containment seat and a Snell 2005 SA helmet??
A seemingly simple racing concussion incident can be fatal...here's how- - with the helmet's weight, the now unconscious driver's head often falls forward causing obstruction of their airway causing them to not be able to breathe...being unconscious prevents them from moving on their own to open their own airway...being out of oxygen makes any potential head injury worse and less likely to awaken on their own...truly a vicious cycle. Unless someone intervenes quickly and properly, a potentially simple concussion results in a much more critical situation. Throw in a potential spinal injury and someone better know what to do.
You are responsible for looking out for yourself..the above list is a good start...your safety team and EMS/ambulance crew need to know their responsibilities...together, we are better!
About 30 years ago at Midwestern speedway, while working on the safety team, I encountered a concussion situation that continues to amaze me. The problem started in hot laps when a dirt sprint car flipped violently...the driver was clearly unconscious on our arrival and was not breathing...the driver resumed breathing with our help opening his airway...soon regaining consciousness. The local EMS team was not very aggressive and allowed the driver to "sign off", not strongly insisting on him making a visit to the local ER.
Later in the event, the previously non-breathing driver came to visit our safety truck accompanied by a couple of officials from the sanctioning body. The officials came to ask me if I thought it was ok for the driver to go ahead and drive someone else's car that night. It did not take long for me to pick up my teeth and begin shaking my head negatively. The dangers of repetitive concussions had begun being discussed...simple medical logic made this a simple opinion...NO, THAT WOULD NOT BE A GOOD IDEA, IT WAS A TERRIBLE IDEA. The driver was quite unhappy with my opinion and told us so. I explained that I strongly believed he should have gone to the ER initially...not going then did not make it ok to risk another concussion in another car...oh, did I forget to mention he had a nasty case of "sprint car red eye?" Did he not think that something bad could have happened in his head if the flip caused blood vessels to break in his eyes? The officials agreed with my logic and DQ'd MY driver/friend for the night...only because we cared. Thank God.
Preventing concussions in racing incidents is huge...here are some ideas that will help:
1. wear the best helmet you can get your hands on...make sure it fits properly...Snell rated
nothing older than Snell 2000 SA, really should be 2005 SA...or 2010 very soon.
2. make sure your seat is equipped with strong, well built head supports with
proper padding...proper fit is also helpful...this is a huge issue...very beneficial tool!
3. wear a head/neck restraining device (not only for concussions, but will not hurt)
4. sprint car style nets on both sides of upper seat
5. did I mention using a full containment seat and a Snell 2005 SA helmet??
A seemingly simple racing concussion incident can be fatal...here's how- - with the helmet's weight, the now unconscious driver's head often falls forward causing obstruction of their airway causing them to not be able to breathe...being unconscious prevents them from moving on their own to open their own airway...being out of oxygen makes any potential head injury worse and less likely to awaken on their own...truly a vicious cycle. Unless someone intervenes quickly and properly, a potentially simple concussion results in a much more critical situation. Throw in a potential spinal injury and someone better know what to do.
You are responsible for looking out for yourself..the above list is a good start...your safety team and EMS/ambulance crew need to know their responsibilities...together, we are better!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Dirt Late Model Escape Hatch
Just reading the March 2010 edition of Circle Track...an article about C.J. Rayburn's new "Super Late Crate"...fascinating feature of this Dirt Late Model (DLM) is an escape hatch. Positioned directly over the drivers seat, it is hinged at the front edge. Shades of Funny Cars! Interesting idea!
I like innovative thinking...and C.J. Rayburn obviously has been thinking. My question is this...what problem is he trying to remedy? If you look back several entries, I made critical remarks about DLM window configurations and cage construction. While the escape hatch would certainly be helpful in some situations, such as a fire or a crash where the car stops with the drivers side against the wall, I think it is a well-done bandaid when major surgery is needed.
Frankly, the window opening is just too small. The cages seem to be too likely to have serious crush issues. The hatch is a baby step in the right direction...when will the industry decide to make a real changes necessary and move on? I hope we do not have to have injuries arise from these areas of concern...it is time to take a hard look at these issues and make the roll cage/window opening changes to allow easier egress and keep halo bars up where they belong...in the meantime, the escape hatch is probably probably a good idea...thanks for your efforts C.J.!
I like innovative thinking...and C.J. Rayburn obviously has been thinking. My question is this...what problem is he trying to remedy? If you look back several entries, I made critical remarks about DLM window configurations and cage construction. While the escape hatch would certainly be helpful in some situations, such as a fire or a crash where the car stops with the drivers side against the wall, I think it is a well-done bandaid when major surgery is needed.
Frankly, the window opening is just too small. The cages seem to be too likely to have serious crush issues. The hatch is a baby step in the right direction...when will the industry decide to make a real changes necessary and move on? I hope we do not have to have injuries arise from these areas of concern...it is time to take a hard look at these issues and make the roll cage/window opening changes to allow easier egress and keep halo bars up where they belong...in the meantime, the escape hatch is probably probably a good idea...thanks for your efforts C.J.!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Dirt Late Models
I have real concerns about the safety of our current Dirt Late Models (DLM). I can not just sit here and say it is ok when I, and others whose opinions I respect, have real concerns. Here is a partial list of concerns:
1. DLM window openings are entirely inadequate...even drivers who are not "husky" routinely have serious problems getting out of an inverted (upside down) DLM...add a fire and you better pray your safety team is "loaded for bear"...if you have a full-containment seat, it is worse...sanctioning bodies and chassis builders need to get together and come up with specifications to make this situation better and set a date for full implementation...the current situation is too risky!
2. While we are talking about changes to DLM chassises, let's talk about the design of the roll cages in general. I have seen too many "greenhouses" substantially deform downward in crashes, especially something more than a "puppy roll over." When your seat becomes part of what protects you from things your roll cage should be stopping, that's a problem. I have personal and anecdotal experience that indicates the current design is not adequately protecting drivers. I do not pretend to be an engineer...and am sure someone can devise a better design.
3. Seeing more full-containment seats in DLM's is awesome! Many thanks to those of you who have chosen to be pro-active concerning your own safety...you deserve it! It is a wise investment in your continued enjoyment of racing. While we are talking about seat and restraints, I have serious concerns about how many DLM seats and restraints have been installed. Drivers, crews, and sanctioning bodies need to get more interested assuring proper installations. I really don't care who built your car and their misguided ideas on seats and restraints, bad is still bad and can result in you being getting dead or badly injured.
I hope this spurs thoughtful consideration about this area of our sport. Remember, at the end of the day, everyone needs to go home standing up!
1. DLM window openings are entirely inadequate...even drivers who are not "husky" routinely have serious problems getting out of an inverted (upside down) DLM...add a fire and you better pray your safety team is "loaded for bear"...if you have a full-containment seat, it is worse...sanctioning bodies and chassis builders need to get together and come up with specifications to make this situation better and set a date for full implementation...the current situation is too risky!
2. While we are talking about changes to DLM chassises, let's talk about the design of the roll cages in general. I have seen too many "greenhouses" substantially deform downward in crashes, especially something more than a "puppy roll over." When your seat becomes part of what protects you from things your roll cage should be stopping, that's a problem. I have personal and anecdotal experience that indicates the current design is not adequately protecting drivers. I do not pretend to be an engineer...and am sure someone can devise a better design.
3. Seeing more full-containment seats in DLM's is awesome! Many thanks to those of you who have chosen to be pro-active concerning your own safety...you deserve it! It is a wise investment in your continued enjoyment of racing. While we are talking about seat and restraints, I have serious concerns about how many DLM seats and restraints have been installed. Drivers, crews, and sanctioning bodies need to get more interested assuring proper installations. I really don't care who built your car and their misguided ideas on seats and restraints, bad is still bad and can result in you being getting dead or badly injured.
I hope this spurs thoughtful consideration about this area of our sport. Remember, at the end of the day, everyone needs to go home standing up!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
So much progress...much still to do
Over the past thirty or so years, much progress has been made in racing safety issues. Things like better seats, firesuits and helmets, and head and neck restraints...better restraint systems, safety inspections by sanctioning bodies, and a more scientific approach to studying the dynamics of crashes...all have been key in reducing deaths and serious injuries in racing.
What do we still have left to do? We need to be more consistent in our efforts...we need to educate drivers, promoters, sanctioning bodies, and other safety personnel on the "best practices" in our business...we need to do research on subjects like fire suppression to determine "best practices" and encourage their implementation at our tracks. Frankly, we must also be willing to step up and eliminate "bad apples" from our ranks.
Real people and their families rely on us...the fans rely on us...the racing community in general relies on us...we need to get and keep our ducks in a row...we need to be willing to stand up for things we believe in...know why you are there...it is critical that we stay abreast on what is going on in racing safety...we do make a difference!
What do we still have left to do? We need to be more consistent in our efforts...we need to educate drivers, promoters, sanctioning bodies, and other safety personnel on the "best practices" in our business...we need to do research on subjects like fire suppression to determine "best practices" and encourage their implementation at our tracks. Frankly, we must also be willing to step up and eliminate "bad apples" from our ranks.
Real people and their families rely on us...the fans rely on us...the racing community in general relies on us...we need to get and keep our ducks in a row...we need to be willing to stand up for things we believe in...know why you are there...it is critical that we stay abreast on what is going on in racing safety...we do make a difference!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Modern seats prevent burns
My hunch is several folks who read this will think I might have driven off the edge of the sanity cliff with this headline that comes from the blog written before this one. Well, at least not yet my friends...and here is why.
In referring to Mike Fedorcak's crash of 1985, where he was critically burned, one of the factors that contributed negatively to his situation was that his helmet was damaged in the crash. Apparently it hit something behind him...a bar or some other structure. It is not hard to imagine a blow severe enough to structurally damage a helmet is hard enough to knock you unconscious, and it did. Being unconscious make it really tough to do anything...sometimes even to breathe...and even tougher to escape a flaming racecar. Current full-containment seats not only restrict head and neck movement, it helps keep other things that could be harmful away from your head and neck from the back and sides...good seat=no bars to hit.
In my years of researching racing accidents, I have found the "Law of unintended consequences" is commonly in play. Nikki Lauda had no idea a poorly designed and fitted helmet could indirectly cause him severe burns in his 1976 Formula 1 crash. Current full containment seat technology clearly did not exist in 1985 or Mike might have been using it. THAT TECHNOLOGY EXISTS NOW...PLEASE USE IT.
Go out of your way to meet Mike Fedorcak...he is a racer in every sense of the word...he understands the importance of a high-quality firesuit...and a good helmet...and all the other things racing safety advocates talk about...and will tell you the same thing...USE THEM!
In referring to Mike Fedorcak's crash of 1985, where he was critically burned, one of the factors that contributed negatively to his situation was that his helmet was damaged in the crash. Apparently it hit something behind him...a bar or some other structure. It is not hard to imagine a blow severe enough to structurally damage a helmet is hard enough to knock you unconscious, and it did. Being unconscious make it really tough to do anything...sometimes even to breathe...and even tougher to escape a flaming racecar. Current full-containment seats not only restrict head and neck movement, it helps keep other things that could be harmful away from your head and neck from the back and sides...good seat=no bars to hit.
In my years of researching racing accidents, I have found the "Law of unintended consequences" is commonly in play. Nikki Lauda had no idea a poorly designed and fitted helmet could indirectly cause him severe burns in his 1976 Formula 1 crash. Current full containment seat technology clearly did not exist in 1985 or Mike might have been using it. THAT TECHNOLOGY EXISTS NOW...PLEASE USE IT.
Go out of your way to meet Mike Fedorcak...he is a racer in every sense of the word...he understands the importance of a high-quality firesuit...and a good helmet...and all the other things racing safety advocates talk about...and will tell you the same thing...USE THEM!
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