Why you need real safety gear at the track
 

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1960614

Phil Grabow of Element Tuning had a major high speed off last weekend, some of you may have already heard. He clearly owes his life to the safety gear he had- 6 point cage, proper harnesses, and a HANS device. I for one don't plan on running timed laps on a track until I have at least that, plus a fire suppression system most likely. There's extensive discussion of how the off happened, the impact, what the equipment did for Phil's safety and in-car video in the thread. Play safe out there.

Wow.


The impact actually looked surprisingly gentle.

Intense.


Tell that to the steering wheel.

I suddenly feel sick about riding shotgun at 140+mph in a car with a 4-point cage, and my only safety equipment was jeans, t-shirt, and Van's helmet.

Oh, it had a 5-point harness and a Racetech seat too...

You mean the steering wheel designed to collapse in a wreck to absorb energy and prevent injury?

....okay. Take that steering wheel! Wait... what was I telling the steering wheel again?

Steering wheels are designed to fail like that.

Who's car was that?

Not many people are getting into the 140 mph range at RFR... maybe the Vettes. But Subarus have too much drag.

You're designed to fail like that.

Ray's does about 140 on the straight at Thunder Hill I think. Maybe 130 - I forget. Fast either way.

wow, that is why I now have a 6 point cage and 5 point harnesses and am working on the fire system now. Cause theres nothing like going to the Track! Thanks for sharing.

Oof.

I figured you were at RFR after mentioning borrowing a helmet from Van.

As far as speed, I would expect Ray's car to be up there. The fastest I've seen in my car is 130 at RFR. The fastest I've been at T-hill is a little over 100, but that was back when my car was in STX trim with a stock turbo'd 2.0L motor. I haven't been back since I did the STi swap.

I'm kinda surprised that Ray's only got a 4-point cage, considering his fabrication background. A good cage not only makes the car much safer, it also helps a ton with handling if it's tied into the suspension mounts.

That was last season. He is finishing up a custom cage soon.

May have been somebody else's helmet at TH.

thats crazy! goes to show how important safety is! glad hes ok!