Post by Indynut on May 30, 2012 19:46:40 GMT -4
The following comments reflect one persons observations over the past several years, and are in no way directed at any one person, racer, tech inspector, or race facility.
Safety is important to each and every one of us at all times. We must follow the rules of the road to get to race and before we can even do that task, our gear needs to be inspected for safety, so the transport process can be performed, safely.
So lets just assume that you've just replaced your perfectly new (looking) safety belts, purchased your SNELL 2112 "Z" rated fireproof helmet, had your chassis certified by some guy from the other side of the world, replaced your perfectly new (looking) window net, heck you even picked up that new Hans device you've been thinking about since Dale Sr. had his accident. You're heading to tech feeling so confident about having everything in place, you covered everything and you should easily sale thru this technical inspection. After a few questions and checks you've got clearance to race, your car has just been deemed safe to race. These tech guys aren't half as bad as everybody says, just follow the rules and you won't have a problem.
Now it's time to really check this baby out. I've been working all winter to make this thing run half a second quicker and I've just gotta get it on the track and then really see how I've done. I know I'm safe cause I just passed tech . . . right?
WRONG
Tech will merely screen you and your vehicle to insure you have the correct components in place to compete safely. So I head up to the staging lanes in a hurry cause I don't wanna miss this round of time trials. Problem is I still have my sandals on and now I'm almost at the staging lanes. Oh heck, I'll just stay in the car, no-one will see my shorts and sandals. Oh my god the guys are waving me right up to the bleech box, where's my helmet? So my belts are over my shoulder, not buckled, my helmet is on my head (everyone can see it) but it's not buckled, I'm in such a hurry I forgot my new window net too. So as you can see, I passed tech and I'm clearly not safe.
If you stand back a watch closely, you will see this stuff happens and I can assure you it happens much more often than anyone will ever admit.
I must admit, that I attempted to be very gracious in my delivery but I can provide the supporting evidence to any non believers. I can also add that the racers that offend these safety concerns, are also very regular offenders of the rules.
So to cure this important safety concern, I would suggest some form of penalty to clean these things up right away. Without any form of penalty, the offenders will only reply "opps so sorry, I forgot" and nothing will be resolved.
The penalty should be a collaborative decision of the "safety committee" which should be the watch-dog that enforces the rules of safety to everyone.
Also, these well debated safety helmets should remain on your head until you exit the vehicle at your pit area. We all know your cute, just leave the helmet on until you get back to your safe pit area. This portion of my debate is not unfounded either, since I've watched helmets being removed before the vehicle is even on the return road.
I could continue on here, but I truly feel as if we just aren't addressing the real concern here. It's almost like we can't see the forest because of all the trees.
If you wanna be safe, why not start to think safe.
Gerard Bryden
S/P 1198
Safety is important to each and every one of us at all times. We must follow the rules of the road to get to race and before we can even do that task, our gear needs to be inspected for safety, so the transport process can be performed, safely.
So lets just assume that you've just replaced your perfectly new (looking) safety belts, purchased your SNELL 2112 "Z" rated fireproof helmet, had your chassis certified by some guy from the other side of the world, replaced your perfectly new (looking) window net, heck you even picked up that new Hans device you've been thinking about since Dale Sr. had his accident. You're heading to tech feeling so confident about having everything in place, you covered everything and you should easily sale thru this technical inspection. After a few questions and checks you've got clearance to race, your car has just been deemed safe to race. These tech guys aren't half as bad as everybody says, just follow the rules and you won't have a problem.
Now it's time to really check this baby out. I've been working all winter to make this thing run half a second quicker and I've just gotta get it on the track and then really see how I've done. I know I'm safe cause I just passed tech . . . right?
WRONG
Tech will merely screen you and your vehicle to insure you have the correct components in place to compete safely. So I head up to the staging lanes in a hurry cause I don't wanna miss this round of time trials. Problem is I still have my sandals on and now I'm almost at the staging lanes. Oh heck, I'll just stay in the car, no-one will see my shorts and sandals. Oh my god the guys are waving me right up to the bleech box, where's my helmet? So my belts are over my shoulder, not buckled, my helmet is on my head (everyone can see it) but it's not buckled, I'm in such a hurry I forgot my new window net too. So as you can see, I passed tech and I'm clearly not safe.
If you stand back a watch closely, you will see this stuff happens and I can assure you it happens much more often than anyone will ever admit.
I must admit, that I attempted to be very gracious in my delivery but I can provide the supporting evidence to any non believers. I can also add that the racers that offend these safety concerns, are also very regular offenders of the rules.
So to cure this important safety concern, I would suggest some form of penalty to clean these things up right away. Without any form of penalty, the offenders will only reply "opps so sorry, I forgot" and nothing will be resolved.
The penalty should be a collaborative decision of the "safety committee" which should be the watch-dog that enforces the rules of safety to everyone.
Also, these well debated safety helmets should remain on your head until you exit the vehicle at your pit area. We all know your cute, just leave the helmet on until you get back to your safe pit area. This portion of my debate is not unfounded either, since I've watched helmets being removed before the vehicle is even on the return road.
I could continue on here, but I truly feel as if we just aren't addressing the real concern here. It's almost like we can't see the forest because of all the trees.
If you wanna be safe, why not start to think safe.
Gerard Bryden
S/P 1198
