Why you need real safety gear at the track - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

Kevin M · 2010-03-31, 12:51 PM

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.

sperry · 2010-03-31, 01:47 PM

Wow.

YouTube- Element Tuning Time Attack STi 148 MPH Crash. Failed Spoiler

The impact actually looked surprisingly gentle.

100_Percent_Juice · 2010-03-31, 01:51 PM

Intense.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

The impact actually looked surprisingly gentle.

Tell that to the steering wheel.

knucklesplitter · 2010-03-31, 02:10 PM

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...

sperry · 2010-03-31, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 100_Percent_Juice

Intense.

Tell that to the steering wheel.

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?

Dean · 2010-03-31, 02:11 PM

Steering wheels are designed to fail like that.

sperry · 2010-03-31, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knucklesplitter

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.

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.

100_Percent_Juice · 2010-03-31, 02:14 PM

You're designed to fail like that.

knucklesplitter · 2010-03-31, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

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.

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

lmoorefx · 2010-03-31, 02:15 PM

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.

cody · 2010-03-31, 02:16 PM

Oof.

sperry · 2010-03-31, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knucklesplitter

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

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.

knucklesplitter · 2010-03-31, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperry

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.

sedonabugeye · 2010-04-05, 09:35 PM

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

2010-03-31, 12:51 PM	#1
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	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. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2010-03-31, 02:10 PM	#4
knucklesplitter EJ205 Real Name: Matt Taylor Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cousin-Fck, Carolina Posts: 1,475 Wish in one hand and sht in the other...	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... Last edited by knucklesplitter; 2010-03-31 at 02:19 PM.

2010-03-31, 02:11 PM	#6
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	Steering wheels are designed to fail like that. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2010-03-31, 02:14 PM	#8
100_Percent_Juice (40 percent vodka) Real Name: Joel Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 4,446 Car: 2004WRX Class: Baby-Hauler/GroceryGetter	You're designed to fail like that. __________________ "A power nap is when you sleep on someone who is weaker than you." - Dimitri Martin

2010-03-31, 02:16 PM	#11
cody Candy Mountain Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005 Location: Californication Posts: 7,751 Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink! Class: TESP OMG Internet!	Oof. __________________ Slow and low, that is the tempo.

2010-03-31, 02:15 PM	#10
lmoorefx n00b Real Name: Larry Moore Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 22	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.

2010-04-05, 09:35 PM	#14
sedonabugeye EJ251 Real Name: Andy Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sparks Posts: 566 Car: Leggy wagon/Bugeye/megacab	thats crazy! goes to show how important safety is! glad hes ok!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
R&T - Best All-Around Sports Car Comparo - MUST READ	ArthurS	Off Topic Chat	9	2005-04-06 08:31 PM
Audi Driving School at Thunderhill... 1/8-9/05	Dean	Motorsports Chat	6	2004-12-15 05:58 PM
SECCS Reno-Fernley Track Day, Sunday August 29!	sperry	Motorsports Chat	274	2004-09-07 09:32 AM
Safety equipment for the track day?	doubleurx	Motorsports Chat	9	2004-08-02 02:12 PM