24 Hours of Lemons - Page 2

bren · 03-13-2013, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC

Exactly. I can't seem to find a brick and mortar shop that sells racing helmets....

Are you near Danvers?

http://www.hmsmotorsport.com/home

And to what JV said, I agree, there is no way I'd get in a car on track without a HANS.

I don't know about that stig helmet, looks like it has an awfully small eye port. I prefer a larger opening for visibility.

JST · 03-13-2013, 09:27 AM

I assume your "Bitch Basket" race car has a real racing seat and harness, as I think that's one of the things you can spend money on without it counting against you. I agree with JV and Bren--a HANS is important. The true HANS can only be used with a five-point belt, since it sits underneath the shoulder straps. There are versions that use a harness that essentially straps to you independently, but presumably you won't need that.

OTOH, if you decide to start doing DEs, you won't be able to use your HANS without getting a harness bar and a harness for the Porsche (or Mini, or whatever you decide to use).

FC · 03-13-2013, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JST

I assume your "Bitch Basket" race car has a real racing seat and harness, as I think that's one of the things you can spend money on without it counting against you. I agree with JV and Bren--a HANS is important. The true HANS can only be used with a five-point belt, since it sits underneath the shoulder straps. There are versions that use a harness that essentially straps to you independently, but presumably you won't need that.

OTOH, if you decide to start doing DEs, you won't be able to use your HANS without getting a harness bar and a harness for the Porsche (or Mini, or whatever you decide to use).

Safety expenses do not count. I will ask, but I agree re: the HANS.

Nick M3 · 03-13-2013, 10:48 AM

My opinion is that tracking a street car with additional safety equipment is a bad idea. A HANS device without a full cage means that you are held rigidly in place even if the roof structure is crushed. Really, I wouldn't use a harness at all without a cage. Modern cars have great safety equipment, but that safety equipment only works if you move around.

Actually, I suspect that even wearing a helmet in a modern street car makes you less safe. It adds weight to your head (increased neck strain), and airbags were never intended for cases when the "head/helmet assembly" strikes them so far in advance of the rest of the body.

Also, men should not use 5-points unless they are done having children. 6-points are a better idea.

Nick M3 · 03-13-2013, 10:50 AM

On the same token, driving a caged car without a HANS is positively stupid. Neck injuries are bad.

FC · 03-13-2013, 11:54 AM

Roll cages are required.

http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/pricesandrules.aspx

Nick M3 · 03-13-2013, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC

Roll cages are required.

http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/pricesandrules.aspx

Reading comprehension owns me. Somehow, I read JST's comment as about tracking the Turbo.

JST · 03-13-2013, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick M3

Reading comprehension owns me. Somehow, I read JST's comment as about tracking the Turbo.

No, you're right--I was just noting that you wouldn't be able to use a HANS in your street car if you started doing DEs without a harness. Your points about not using a harness in a street car without also doing a cage are well-taken. If heard other people say the same thing (though I also know plenty of people who adopt the contrary view).

Nick M3 · 03-13-2013, 12:51 PM

Yeah, my comments, especially about helmets in DE cars have stirred up gigantic shit storms in the past.

Rob · 03-15-2013, 05:06 PM

Helmets on bicycles make sense. Helmets on motorcycles make sense. Helmets inside a car with crumple zones, air bags, and a passenger cage (I mean the one built into the frame, not the one you add on for racing)? I am not sure what impact it is supposed to be protecting you from. What is your head going to hit? I never really understood that.

03-13-2013, 10:48 AM	#14
Nick M3 Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 12,476	My opinion is that tracking a street car with additional safety equipment is a bad idea. A HANS device without a full cage means that you are held rigidly in place even if the roof structure is crushed. Really, I wouldn't use a harness at all without a cage. Modern cars have great safety equipment, but that safety equipment only works if you move around. Actually, I suspect that even wearing a helmet in a modern street car makes you less safe. It adds weight to your head (increased neck strain), and airbags were never intended for cases when the "head/helmet assembly" strikes them so far in advance of the rest of the body. Also, men should not use 5-points unless they are done having children. 6-points are a better idea. __________________ 2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo

03-13-2013, 10:50 AM	#15
Nick M3 Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 12,476	On the same token, driving a caged car without a HANS is positively stupid. Neck injuries are bad. __________________ 2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo

03-13-2013, 12:51 PM	#19
Nick M3 Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 12,476	Yeah, my comments, especially about helmets in DE cars have stirred up gigantic shit storms in the past. __________________ 2011 M3 2006 Sierra 2500HD 4WD LBZ/Allison 2004 X5 3.0i 6MT 1995 M3 S50B32 1990 325is 1989 M3 S54B32 Hers: 1989 325iX 1996 911 Turbo

03-13-2013, 09:27 AM	#12
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,635	I assume your "Bitch Basket" race car has a real racing seat and harness, as I think that's one of the things you can spend money on without it counting against you. I agree with JV and Bren--a HANS is important. The true HANS can only be used with a five-point belt, since it sits underneath the shoulder straps. There are versions that use a harness that essentially straps to you independently, but presumably you won't need that. OTOH, if you decide to start doing DEs, you won't be able to use your HANS without getting a harness bar and a harness for the Porsche (or Mini, or whatever you decide to use).

03-13-2013, 11:54 AM	#16
FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,280	Roll cages are required. http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/pricesandrules.aspx

03-15-2013, 05:06 PM	#20
Rob The user formerly known as rwg Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: Z4 Location: Vegas baby! Posts: 8,261	Helmets on bicycles make sense. Helmets on motorcycles make sense. Helmets inside a car with crumple zones, air bags, and a passenger cage (I mean the one built into the frame, not the one you add on for racing)? I am not sure what impact it is supposed to be protecting you from. What is your head going to hit? I never really understood that.