Trapped in a BURNING CAR.
03-04-2016 | 04:40 PM
#31
Race Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,991
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From: GOD's waiting room. <br> SoFla
From what I can see after reading about both of these incidents,
it looks like the cars were dedicated racers. Are folks not running
automatic fire suppression systems? In both cases if an automatic
system with heat sensors located in the engine compartment, near
fuel cells and in the cockpit had been installed, I think the outcomes
would have been better for the drivers.
it looks like the cars were dedicated racers. Are folks not running
automatic fire suppression systems? In both cases if an automatic
system with heat sensors located in the engine compartment, near
fuel cells and in the cockpit had been installed, I think the outcomes
would have been better for the drivers.
I've installed 2 systems, both were manual pull types.
I just wasn't sure about the automatic system reliability in a race car.
How reliable are the automatic systems?
03-04-2016 | 06:56 PM
#32
Hates Family Guy
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: La Crosse, WI
It was an early 944 with a S2 motor swap.
My kill switch is on the passenger side of my car. I'm going to add a pull cable so you can kill the car from either side. The 944 ignition switch is on the right side of the steering wheel, so it isn't easy to reach in and turn it off. I'm going to think about moving the fire system pull as well. See my avatar.
Second, I'm still running my DME relay, but I've seen a number of 944 racecars where the fuel pump is on a toggle switch. I don't know how this car was wired. If your car had a sudden fuel leak, and you were covered in fire, would you remember to hit the kill switch or toggle switches on your way out the car?
My kill switch is on the passenger side of my car. I'm going to add a pull cable so you can kill the car from either side. The 944 ignition switch is on the right side of the steering wheel, so it isn't easy to reach in and turn it off. I'm going to think about moving the fire system pull as well. See my avatar.
Second, I'm still running my DME relay, but I've seen a number of 944 racecars where the fuel pump is on a toggle switch. I don't know how this car was wired. If your car had a sudden fuel leak, and you were covered in fire, would you remember to hit the kill switch or toggle switches on your way out the car?
03-05-2016 | 07:54 AM
#33
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From: Northeast
03-05-2016 | 12:37 PM
#35
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From: 01776
This is certainly a sobering story. It seems that he was wearing appropriate gear and ended up with 7% body burn. If you're one of those guys who occasionally takes the race car out without donning all your gear, you probably would've been killed in this type of accident. Food for thought.
I hope Stephen makes as full a recovery as is possible.
I hope Stephen makes as full a recovery as is possible.
03-05-2016 | 07:13 PM
#36
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Jacksonville, FL
03-05-2016 | 07:16 PM
#37
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From: Jacksonville, FL
03-05-2016 | 08:16 PM
#38
Racer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 279
Likes: 7
I've installed 2 systems, both were manual pull types.
I just wasn't sure about the automatic system reliability in a race car.
How reliable are the automatic systems?
I just wasn't sure about the automatic system reliability in a race car.
How reliable are the automatic systems?
equipment by numerous sanctioning bodies: NHRA, NASCAR, Indy
Car and others.
The activators used in the automatic systems are temperature sensing.
I believe most of the systems either come with a manual back up
activator or one can be added as an option when purchasing the kit.
Here's a link to a company that markets several different systems:
https://www.safecraft.com/index.php
03-06-2016 | 12:12 AM
#39
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 34
From: Colorado
praying for the driver and his recovery, truly scary stuff. But what I take away from this, more than the need for a suit, is make sure your firewall is sealed.... From SCCA rulebook "unsealed hole in firewall or floorboard are not allowed" yet every "racecar" I know does not follow that rule.
Also have one fire nozzle leading to fuel tank.
03-07-2016 | 01:18 PM
#41
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Jacksonville, FL
These shirts have three layers..2 layers of polyester and lycra (highly meltable and flammable) that sandwich around a meltable plastic bladder. Feels good cooling, but very, very dangerous in a fire..nothing good about it IMHO when considering safety.
The good thing about the company is that I hear they are looking for fire retardant solutions for this type of gear. My hope is that all cooling gear will be FR and SFI compliant in the near future.
03-07-2016 | 01:32 PM
#43
Thread Starter
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From: Jacksonville, FL
Absolutely. Our Podium LCG is. Actually took 3 certifications. 1 on each type of fabric, then a 3rd with tubing attached. The fabric must be protective and carry a thermal rateing adequate to protect from plastic tubing. Our does it all I'm happy to say. There are few others on the market as well.
03-07-2016 | 06:00 PM
#45
WRONGLY ACCUSED!
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From: PCA Gulag
Absolutely. Our Podium LCG is. Actually took 3 certifications. 1 on each type of fabric, then a 3rd with tubing attached. The fabric must be protective and carry a thermal rateing adequate to protect from plastic tubing. Our does it all I'm happy to say. There are few others on the market as well.