My wreck at VIR
03-31-2013, 11:37 PM
#46
I respectfully submit that there should be some rethinking of what to do in Oh **** moments. I totally disagree with grabbing your belts. If we knew what was going on, it would not have happened in the first place. There is no reason to "now" assume we know what is going on and what to do about it. The professor said it best let the safety gear do it's work. If you grab belts and you are in a offset or multi-impact senario by grabing belts you may decrease your safety by unintentionally pulling them off the shoulder or HANS tail, especially when wearing HANS where belt retention is the most difficult aspect about it. I'm sorry to hear of Rob's loss, I have been there too, but not to pick on Rob but his actions pulled his head out of the head wing retention zone of the seat before mpact. The crash was not violent or multiple and he got away fine. If there was additional lateral impact he lost all head protection. IIRC in the Danica crash she pulls her arms up and fulcrums her hands on her brow, head back in the seat and takes the impact. I think that is the proper way. On Rob's next car please buy a proper right side net installed in the proper position. They are only 70 bucks and Drs. Gideon/Melvin claim that the RSN is one of the biggest bangs for the buck in safety gear.
04-01-2013, 09:06 AM
#48
Mr. Excitement
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In a road car don't see a good way to put your hands up to your helmet without your head wanting to come foward/down. In a frontal impact your hands and arms are going to fly around if only being retained by your basic grasp as we all rag doll during a "hurt you" level G event. I was under the impression that crossing arms and getting feet off the pedals was unlock and protect them. Impact energies will likely overcome anyting we do to prevent movment of other bodyparts such as hold our heads. I would think you would not want your arms to act as fulcrums or levers. I suspect our arms are not strong enough, meat or bone, to help much if at all but could distort a movement pat enough to hurt. IIRC in the Danica impact her arms rag doll (can't see vid at work)
04-01-2013, 10:05 AM
#50
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In a road car don't see a good way to put your hands up to your helmet without your head wanting to come foward/down. In a frontal impact your hands and arms are going to fly around if only being retained by your basic grasp as we all rag doll during a "hurt you" level G event. I was under the impression that crossing arms and getting feet off the pedals was unlock and protect them. Impact energies will likely overcome anyting we do to prevent movment of other bodyparts such as hold our heads. I would think you would not want your arms to act as fulcrums or levers.
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-Peter Krause
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"Combining the Art and Science of Driving Fast!"
Specializing in Professional, Private Driver Performance Evaluation and Optimization
Consultation Available Remotely and at VIRginia International Raceway
-Peter Krause
www.peterkrause.net
www.gofasternow.com
"Combining the Art and Science of Driving Fast!"
Specializing in Professional, Private Driver Performance Evaluation and Optimization
Consultation Available Remotely and at VIRginia International Raceway
04-01-2013, 07:09 PM
#51
Nordschleife Master
So I am going to take the counter point on this one. I'd rather "drive the car" until the bitter end. Maybe if I'm going absolutely dead straight into the wall I'd grab the belts, but short of that, I'm gonna try to at least minimize the hit.
