1 Topic by mhane3 (edited by mhane3 2016-10-08 05:23 PM)

  • mhane3
  • Rookie Driver
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  • Registered: 2015-06-23
  • Posts: 7

Topic: Possible Evidence in Favor of Containment Seats

Hello All,

The #404 Foobar Starlet was involved in an "Incident" at the Buttonwillow race where our driver got bounced around pretty good and probably escaped serious injury because the containment seat in combination with a Necksgen limited his head/neck motion.

From our in-car video, he is bounced around pretty violently:

https://youtu.be/kkZTNiyEoWQ

For a view of the incident from the car that his us (even though it was in no way at fault):

https://youtu.be/XrqaFoTiVvo

The containment seat does make ingress and egress out of the car a bit awkward, but I think it increases the chances of the driver being able to get in and out of the car... under their own power.

  • From: Sacramento
  • Registered: 2010-08-09
  • Posts: 1,665

Re: Possible Evidence in Favor of Containment Seats

The Yutube doesn't do this video justice - I saw it in their trailer full HD and slo-mo.
Put it this way: I'm measuring and buy a containment seat. His head bounced back and forth two full cycles and what looked about the full extent of the HANS.
Unfortunately the speed and weight disparity we're seeing these days makes it a bit of a no-brainer. Imagine if he'd gotten even more slowed...

Thanks for sharing and I hope you guys get something together easily and painlessly.
~mike~

  • mhane3
  • Rookie Driver
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  • Registered: 2015-06-23
  • Posts: 7

Re: Possible Evidence in Favor of Containment Seats

crazymike wrote:

Thanks for sharing and I hope you guys get something together easily and painlessly.

Hello Crazy Mike,

As you saw firsthand, the Starlet is a bit "narrower" and "crumpled" than it used to be, and unfortunately, there's no way it will be ready for the December Sonoma race which is a bummer.

At this point, it's too early to tell if it can be made roadworthy again, but we have hopes to be back for the first Sonoma race next year.

  • From: NH
  • Registered: 2010-01-20
  • Posts: 3,299

Re: Possible Evidence in Favor of Containment Seats

Sure a halo seat is safer. There's always some way to make things safer. But Lemons has been trying to balance safety with affordability forever. People freak out when they raise the entrance fees a little bit, if they turn around and say "whelp, throw away your seat and buy a new one that will probably cost you $500+", it's going to turn people away.

You can always step up  your own safety gear. I mandated neck devices on my team back when we started in 2012 because the foam collars scare me. A lot of people run a fire suppression system alongside a stand alone extinguisher. If you feel that a containment seat would be safer, go get one.


FWIW, some head and neck devices offer a little sideways protection. My original DefNder does thanks to how it has the tethers setup. Is it as good as a containment seat? no. But it's better than a HANS.

20+ Time Loser FutilityMotorsport
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  • Registered: 2011-09-16
  • Posts: 18

Re: Possible Evidence in Favor of Containment Seats

This from CMP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjzlAGerFto

  • From: Sacramento
  • Registered: 2010-08-09
  • Posts: 1,665

Re: Possible Evidence in Favor of Containment Seats

OUCH! ^^^ is why I have a Defnder and the circle-track seat with craploads of ribcage support - but I really want to source at least
the bolt-on Halo upgrades the alloy seats mfg'r used to sell.

I'll nudge Spank to be on the lookout for a free starlet and be checking C/L once in a while m'self... Eyesore has resurrected Frankenmiata so many times it must be an easy graft.

Depending, we may have a seat or two avail at Sonoma, still looking at rosters and acceptances. If we do I'll put a hand out to you first!
~Mike~

  • From: Shippensburg, PA
  • Registered: 2010-11-18
  • Posts: 1,963

Re: Possible Evidence in Favor of Containment Seats

horizoninspect wrote:

This from CMP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjzlAGerFto


Was the driver injured?

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  • From: Tustin, CA
  • Registered: 2010-12-30
  • Posts: 3,275

Re: Possible Evidence in Favor of Containment Seats

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/pts/5821148144.html

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  • Registered: 2011-09-16
  • Posts: 18

Re: Possible Evidence in Favor of Containment Seats

Driver was ok car was not.  One of our drivers hit him here"s that angle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwkqqWSR9Fc