Editorial: Head and neck restraints need to be mandated everywhere

Heard about this yesterday, terribly sad. You're spot on Andy, something needs to be done to prevent this from happening again.
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
And that's straight up bull****.
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Is it BS to say that most local racers barely have enough money to race as it is? I'm not trying to say they shouldn't have them, I'm just saying that some can't afford them so they wouldn't race anymore. Perhaps you should ask some local racers how much extra money they have to spend before you police everyone. You seem to think that everyone drives for RCR or Hendrick.

What needs to be done is for someone to sell them at reasonable prices so everyone can have them. Or maybe you'd like to buy everyone one of them?
 
Stewart Fan said:
Is it BS to say that most local racers barely have enough money to race as it is? I'm not trying to say they shouldn't have them, I'm just saying that some can't afford them so they wouldn't race anymore. Perhaps you should ask some local racers how much extra money they have to spend before you police everyone. You seem to think that everyone drives for RCR or Hendrick.

What needs to be done is for someone to sell them at reasonable prices so everyone can have them. Or maybe you'd like to buy everyone one of them?
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I do have to say the price is high, but the price of production of a HANS device is pricey too. Realistically, if you're spending money on racing... I don't care if it's a winged sprint or a hobby stock, a HANS should be part of the standard budget. It's not like you have to keep buying them.

Note: I am in no position to purchase a rig and go racing. But I wouldn't hit the track until I saved enough pennies to get one.
 
DUN24 said:
I do have to say the price is high, but the price of production of a HANS device is pricey too. Realistically, if you're spending money on racing... I don't care if it's a winged sprint or a hobby stock, a HANS should be part of the standard budget. It's not like you have to keep buying them.

Note: I am in no position to purchase a rig and go racing. But I wouldn't hit the track until I saved enough pennies to get one.
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I agree everyone should have them but it will never happen. The fact is that even some drivers who can afford them wouldn't wanna buy them. You can't underestimate the stubbornness of a race car driver to change. Hell I've seen tracks that don't even require gloves and window nets much less a HANS device.
 
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Stewart Fan said:
Is it BS to say that most local racers barely have enough money to race as it is? I'm not trying to say they shouldn't have them, I'm just saying that some can't afford them so they wouldn't race anymore. Perhaps you should ask some local racers how much extra money they have to spend before you police everyone. You seem to think that everyone drives for RCR or Hendrick.

What needs to be done is for someone to sell them at reasonable prices so everyone can have them. Or maybe you'd like to buy everyone one of them?
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It's bull**** to say they can't afford them. You can buy a Hutchins Device for $200. Drivers would be more than happy to spend the money on a new set of shocks or something.

My philosophy is simple, if you can afford a racecar, you can afford a head-and-neck harness.
 
I'm not saying no but your philosophy is flawed. Add a hutchins to the mandated seat, seat belts, fire suit, shoes, helmet, window net, fuel cell, quick disconnect wheel and approved, and costly, approved roll cage, wheel studs and rims and you are now talking some serious money. And that's just scratching the surface..
What division was he driving in? Most entry level "stock" cars, formula 4's and hobby stock, etc don't hit 60 mph on a short track. How do you define a short track, 1/4, 1/3. 1/2 or more? The driver is in more danger driving to and from the track on a public highway.
There was a time you went racing, got hurt, sucked it up and went on. Now you sue.
People will get on the interstate today and not make their destination, should a head and neck device be mandatory to drive on Rt 95?
 
Bobw said:
I'm not saying no but your philosophy is flawed. Add a hutchins to the mandated seat, seat belts, fire suit, shoes, helmet, window net, fuel cell, quick disconnect wheel and approved, and costly, approved roll cage, wheel studs and rims and you are now talking some serious money. And that's just scratching the surface..
What division was he driving in? Most entry level "stock" cars, formula 4's and hobby stock, etc don't hit 60 mph on a short track. How do you define a short track, 1/4, 1/3. 1/2 or more? The driver is in more danger driving to and from the track on a public highway.
There was a time you went racing, got hurt, sucked it up and went on. Now you sue.
People will get on the interstate today and not make their destination, should a head and neck device be mandatory to drive on Rt 95?
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His philosophy is flawed? The victim was a 15 year old girl. Decisions about her safety equipment were made by someone else. That person or persons should be shot.

Auto racing is a ridiculously expensive pursuit ... at every level. Either buck up or stay the hell out of it.
 
Bobw said:
I'm not saying no but your philosophy is flawed. Add a hutchins to the mandated seat, seat belts, fire suit, shoes, helmet, window net, fuel cell, quick disconnect wheel and approved, and costly, approved roll cage, wheel studs and rims and you are now talking some serious money. And that's just scratching the surface..
What division was he driving in? Most entry level "stock" cars, formula 4's and hobby stock, etc don't hit 60 mph on a short track. How do you define a short track, 1/4, 1/3. 1/2 or more? The driver is in more danger driving to and from the track on a public highway.
There was a time you went racing, got hurt, sucked it up and went on. Now you sue.
People will get on the interstate today and not make their destination, should a head and neck device be mandatory to drive on Rt 95?
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HANS vs. no HANS. At low speed. For those who missed it earlier.



As for the driving on the highway, I don't know how you drive, but I don't drive on the edge of out of control around a bunch of other people driving on the edge of out of control when I'm driving on the highway. Not to mention, highway cars have airbags.
 
aunty dive said:
His philosophy is flawed? The victim was a 15 year old girl. Decisions about her safety equipment were made by someone else. That person or persons should be shot.

Auto racing is a ridiculously expensive pursuit ... at every level. Either buck up or stay the hell out of it.
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Obviously a poor decision in regards to protecting a child.

But I wouldn't shoot them, they will probably be haunted for the rest of their life with the guilt. I wouldn't wish for such a fate even upon my worst enemy.
 
aunty dive said:
His philosophy is flawed? The victim was a 15 year old girl. Decisions about her safety equipment were made by someone else. That person or persons should be shot.

Auto racing is a ridiculously expensive pursuit ... at every level. Either buck up or stay the hell out of it.
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According to one of the news channels in Jacksonville, the Niokoa's older sister raced. Two racecars... it's safe to assume that they had money for a HANS device. Although, it doesn't look like they put any thought at all into safety when putting Niokoa in that racecar.
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I sure hope the grieving relatives do not read this thread. They are already enduring a living hell.

I say give them a little respect.
 
Her father said in the linked article " iT'S JUST A FREAK ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENED"

As the father of two I know both of mine have done things that at a minimum scare the **** out of me as a parent.
They say those that can't do, teach. It appears those that can't teach become know it all experts and reporters .
 
For 99% there is never enough money to race.
In most cases you buy a used car, used trailer, and endure all the "sane" people you know telling you that you must be out of your mind.

The stands are filled with monday morning quarterbacks that would be shocked by the assault to the senses when you sit down inside the uninsulated raw sheet metal. And they would have panic attacks approaching turn one while working on lap one.

But those folks in the stands are the foremost authorities on racing, they are great on a PlayStation, and making time on the interstate, so they must have all of the skills.

They might be able to list all of the struggles involved and talk a good game. But until you have busted your ass all week, loaded it up, and tried to understand the difficulties while you are just hoping you can get lucky enough to buy the used tires from last weeks winner you should think twice about ridiculing those who try. Even when you go to the concession stand, you know it just a couple more overspet dollars, adding to the pit passes, gas, tires, and many other necessities.

This is a tragic case, and awful mistake was made. But I am far to flawed to condemn them, and I think most others are too.

We can make a constructive argument for safety, without walking on the ungrown grass.
 
Bobw said:
Her father said in the linked article " iT'S JUST A FREAK ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENED"

As the father of two I know both of mine have done things that at a minimum scare the **** out of me as a parent.
They say those that can't do, teach. It appears those that can't teach become know it all experts and reporters .
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Her father is an imbecile.

And those that have lost a close friend or a family member to this endeavour know what I'm talking about.
 
Bobw said:
Her father said in the linked article " iT'S JUST A FREAK ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENED"

As the father of two I know both of mine have done things that at a minimum scare the **** out of me as a parent.
They say those that can't do, teach. It appears those that can't teach become know it all experts and reporters .
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Yeah, and NASCAR also says "it's just a freak accident" every single time a driver crashes where there isn't a SAFER barrier. Then, guess what they do? They install more SAFER barriers.
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As for your little crack about "know it all experts and reporters", get out of my face. Countless drivers who know more than you or I ever will have tweeted and posted on Facebook in complete agreement with everything I said. A former Daytona 500 winning crew-chief posted the article on Facebook agreeing with everything I wrote. I'm pretty sure drivers and crew chiefs know what they're talking about.
 
Greg said:
For 99% there is never enough money to race.
In most cases you buy a used car, used trailer, and endure all the "sane" people you know telling you that you must be out of your mind.

The stands are filled with monday morning quarterbacks that would be shocked by the assault to the senses when you sit down inside the uninsulated raw sheet metal. And they would have panic attacks approaching turn one while working on lap one.

But those folks in the stands are the foremost authorities on racing, they are great on a PlayStation, and making time on the interstate, so they must have all of the skills.

They might be able to list all of the struggles involved and talk a good game. But until you have busted your ass all week, loaded it up, and tried to understand the difficulties while you are just hoping you can get lucky enough to buy the used tires from last weeks winner you should think twice about ridiculing those who try. Even when you go to the concession stand, you know it just a couple more overspet dollars, adding to the pit passes, gas, tires, and many other necessities.

This is a tragic case, and awful mistake was made. But I am far to flawed to condemn them, and I think most others are too.

We can make a constructive argument for safety, without walking on the ungrown grass.
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I'm pretty sure the countless drivers who have commented on this issue who believe head-and-neck restraints need to be mandated at all levels do have some kind of authority. I said what needed to be said and had gotten input from drivers before publishing that editorial.
 
OHH, Andy got his dander up, he should use head and shoulders.
Fricken kids today,,,,
 
AndyMarquisLive said:
I'm pretty sure the countless drivers who have commented on this issue who believe head-and-neck restraints need to be mandated at all levels do have some kind of authority. I said what needed to be said and had gotten input from drivers before publishing that editorial.
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I didnt have a problem with your editorial. Someone said responsible parties should be shot(not you).
 
for me at least I would think wearing a hans with a proper seat would mean I would feel better about driving the car harder and taking more risks. I have never raced however I have driven a race car. I would have felt WAY better about finding the limits of the car if I had all the safety stuff on and fitted as it should be. HANS, fitted butler, lajoie, or some other high quality seat that was designed for me. That is the way safety needs to be looked at.
 
I totally agree that a HANS or similar device be mandatory for all drivers in all cars. Also, this is the second kid in Florida to be killed in these type of cars in under two years. The other was a 12 year old boy at Auberndale Speedway. Not only do I have an issue with no head and neck restraint system, I have a big issue with the build of the car. A 4 point cage is ridiculous. Add to it improper safety gear (not just the lack of HANS but seats with no head rests, 1 layer firesuits, improper fit helmets, etc) and the fact they go 50+ MPH and it's not really a good idea from the start. Sad to hear she has passed as I heard about accident from a friend who was there Saturday.
 
Thegroundpounder99 said:
I totally agree that a HANS or similar device be mandatory for all drivers in all cars. Also, this is the second kid in Florida to be killed in these type of cars in under two years. The other was a 12 year old boy at Auberndale Speedway. Not only do I have an issue with no head and neck restraint system, I have a big issue with the build of the car. A 4 point cage is ridiculous. Add to it improper safety gear (not just the lack of HANS but seats with no head rests, 1 layer firesuits, improper fit helmets, etc) and the fact they go 50+ MPH and it's not really a good idea from the start. Sad to hear she has passed as I heard about accident from a friend who was there Saturday.
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And even after that, Auburndale Speedway didn't mandate them?

Auburndale Speedway HIGHLY recommends the use of HEAD and NECK Restraints for ALL DRIVERS, If the driver chooses to not use one, they will be required to sign a waiver, stating that the driver understands that they risks possible injury or even death by not using this safety device.
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Good grief.
 
Taylor Stricklin, son of Hut Stricklin and grandson of Donnie Allison, wrote this op-ed for us: http://race22.com/stricklin-dont-sacrifice-anything-when-it-comes-to-safety/

Followed by this:

Jeff Burton @JeffBurton
“@race22: Stricklin: Don’t Sacrifice Anything When it Comes to Safety wp.me/p26RUz-4hf” Stricklin is 100% correct.

Jeff Burton @JeffBurton
“@race22: Stricklin: Don’t Sacrifice Anything When it Comes to Safety wp.me/p26RUz-4hf” 2 b clear. Safety standard have 2 improve!

Jeff Burton @JeffBurton
A Hans is great but without the proper full containment seat and restraints is does not provide enough protection. Must have it all!


Is "The Mayor" Jeff Burton enough of an expert for you, Bobw?
 
If I had a child of 12 or 15 years old there is no way in hell id let them behind the wheel of a racecar, especially one without top safety equipment. Even then it's questionable.

You wanna play football with minimum safety regs & a system that ensures the safety of yourself and others around you? All for it!

You wanna race cars with safety equipment depending on how much I can afford? Hell no!
 
Dad just bought a carbon fiber helmet with the HANS connectors. It's a good 2 pounds lighter than his old helmet. A HANS-type device is next on the to-buy list- dad doesn't want to make a 1/4 mile pass until we get one. When we were in pomona, we went though the entire safety midway, trying on helmets, HANS-type devices, fire suits, ect.

The thing that drag racing has that circle racing does not, is the SFI Foundation. Belts are only good for 2 years, helmets for 10, transmission cases for 6, bellhousings for ~4, chassis for 3, wheels for 10, shoes/suits/collars are good until they develop a hole, but even then they can be re-certified if the hole is covered by a patch of the same or more layer count as the rest of the suit with nomex thread and layering. This raises the cost of drag racing (already not cheap) several times higher. I forget the registered lifespan of the HANS but I want to say 5 years.
 
aunty dive said:
His philosophy is flawed? The victim was a 15 year old girl. Decisions about her safety equipment were made by someone else. That person or persons should be shot.

Auto racing is a ridiculously expensive pursuit ... at every level. Either buck up or stay the hell out of it.
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Yep agreed, if you can't afford to do it safely you shouldn't be doing it, like i said previously in this thread, it is a no brainer.
 
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