What is "safe enough" for a DE
12-10-2015 | 01:29 AM
#31
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 505
From: San Carlos, CA 94070
12-10-2015 | 02:48 AM
#32
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 434
Likes: 14
From: Sacramento
Compromises
I too have been wrestling with this issue. As a newcomer to this sport (about 12 track days over the past year now) the risk is starting to become apparent now that I have seen a few wrecks and heard of the fatalities. The cup car sounds ideal for safety, but it doesn't even have a seat for an instructor. Not to mention how silly I would feel driving a cup car as slowly as I drive...
. But I am starting to realize that I need to address this issue sooner rather than later.
. But I am starting to realize that I need to address this issue sooner rather than later.
12-10-2015 | 03:04 AM
#33
GT3 player par excellence
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 43,573
Likes: 5,897
From: san francisco
I too have been wrestling with this issue. As a newcomer to this sport (about 12 track days over the past year now) the risk is starting to become apparent now that I have seen a few wrecks and heard of the fatalities. The cup car sounds ideal for safety, but it doesn't even have a seat for an instructor. Not to mention how silly I would feel driving a cup car as slowly as I drive.... But I am starting to realize that I need to address this issue sooner rather than later.
. But I am starting to realize that I need to address this issue sooner rather than later.that said, you CAN install passenger seat in cup cars. it bolts in like a street car.
there are other ways to provide safety, no always in a cup.
12-10-2015 | 09:23 AM
#34
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 15,603
Likes: 292
From: Valencia, Spain
12-10-2015 | 09:43 AM
#35
WRONGLY ACCUSED!
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 15,081
Likes: 4,562
From: PCA Gulag
I too have been wrestling with this issue. As a newcomer to this sport (about 12 track days over the past year now) the risk is starting to become apparent now that I have seen a few wrecks and heard of the fatalities. The cup car sounds ideal for safety, but it doesn't even have a seat for an instructor. Not to mention how silly I would feel driving a cup car as slowly as I drive.... But I am starting to realize that I need to address this issue sooner rather than later.
. But I am starting to realize that I need to address this issue sooner rather than later.You'll have a much better learning experience and any instructors will appreciate not being in a cup car with a new driver!
12-10-2015 | 10:26 AM
#37
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,943
Likes: 191
From: TX
12-10-2015 | 10:29 AM
#38
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,943
Likes: 191
From: TX
-Mike
12-10-2015 | 02:03 PM
#40
Race Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,549
Likes: 2
From: Texas
The nice thing about buying a well sorted track car is they usually hold their values. You can buy a 944, SPB, or Cayman, drive it for a few years, and then sell it to help fund a Cup car.
You'll have a much better learning experience and any instructors will appreciate not being in a cup car with a new driver!
You'll have a much better learning experience and any instructors will appreciate not being in a cup car with a new driver!
Just make sure the used race car is checked out well and properly built for safety, especially the rollcage and main features, to prevent you from buying someone else's problems.
12-10-2015 | 02:22 PM
#42
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 47
From: NY
I was just thinking about this today. Mild track prep GT3's are pretty fast, certainly fast enough to put you in a bad situation if something goes wrong. The more I think about it the more safety upgrades I want to make to my car but there's a fine line between a street car that can hit the track and a track rat that must be trailered to events.
So far I have fixed back FIA Recaro seats, OEM club sport back half cage, Scroth 6 point harnesses, coolant lines pinned and a HANS. I'm really debating switching my driver seat to a Halo seat and seeing if I can adapt a center net without cutting up my interior. A fire system would be nice but might be a bit intrusive. I may get at least a bolt in fire bottle as a compromise. I'm not sure if I can bring myself to wear a full race suit, nomex boots, gloves as it looks ridiculous at a HPDE and it's incredibly hot in TX in the summer. I suppose it's still better than BBQ'ing yourself if your car catches fire.
So far I have fixed back FIA Recaro seats, OEM club sport back half cage, Scroth 6 point harnesses, coolant lines pinned and a HANS. I'm really debating switching my driver seat to a Halo seat and seeing if I can adapt a center net without cutting up my interior. A fire system would be nice but might be a bit intrusive. I may get at least a bolt in fire bottle as a compromise. I'm not sure if I can bring myself to wear a full race suit, nomex boots, gloves as it looks ridiculous at a HPDE and it's incredibly hot in TX in the summer. I suppose it's still better than BBQ'ing yourself if your car catches fire.
There's a lot to think about as a driver.
12-10-2015 | 02:44 PM
#43
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 188
From: Edmonton AB
Interesting point here. I see it all the time, guys who harp on safety safety safety, jump in a car for a DE or time trials leaving their race suit in the trailer. So what if it doesn't look "cool". I'm the guy out there sweating my ***** off wearing nomex for a lapping day in a caged car. I think some of the newbies seeing more experienced drivers suited up using HANS devices etc. is a good thing. I think it looks badass, and I'd die of embarrassment if I was killed and had left the gear on the trailer.
12-11-2015 | 12:35 AM
#44
Race Car
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,487
Likes: 133
From: Europe
Obviously full cage
Fuel cell? Fuel lines?
12-11-2015 | 09:42 AM
#45
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 197
From: Houston
This is interesting and some very good point.
Maybe something to consider is to balance risk on the track vs in life.....
Do you have kids, and they have not finished college?
Do you love your wife?
Is your daily driver a Volvo or motorcycle?
Are you a member is ISIS?
Do you smoke?
Do you exercise?
Do you party with Charlie Sheen in Vegas?
We compromise on everything in life, and asking broader questions may help answer the question on how much you want to invest in your driving and safety equipment.
Maybe something to consider is to balance risk on the track vs in life.....
Do you have kids, and they have not finished college?
Do you love your wife?
Is your daily driver a Volvo or motorcycle?
Are you a member is ISIS?
Do you smoke?
Do you exercise?
Do you party with Charlie Sheen in Vegas?
We compromise on everything in life, and asking broader questions may help answer the question on how much you want to invest in your driving and safety equipment.