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Trapped in a BURNING CAR.

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Old 03-04-2016, 04:40 PM
  #31  
mrbill_fl
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Originally Posted by dogger15
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.

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?
Old 03-04-2016, 06:56 PM
  #32  
Kurt R
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Originally Posted by mastek
What car?
Originally Posted by Veloce Raptor
944 Turbo
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?
Old 03-05-2016, 07:54 AM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by mrbill_fl
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?
Why not an automatic with a manual pull as fail-safe?
Old 03-05-2016, 10:49 AM
  #34  
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Hey Rodger: sorry to hijack a wee

I am a huge fan of your traqgear products, so 2 questions, when is the balaclava being released and what about traqgear socks.......????
Old 03-05-2016, 12:37 PM
  #35  
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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.
Old 03-05-2016, 07:13 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by Country911
Hey Rodger: sorry to hijack a wee

I am a huge fan of your traqgear products, so 2 questions, when is the balaclava being released and what about traqgear socks.......????
Not a problem. Balaclava is about 4-5 weeks out. Had to back up and punt and make more boxers, which put it a little behind. I sold out of 2 sizes of the boxer very quickly. Socks should be any day now. I tested them at Sebring..love em..kept my feet dry all day in damp sessions. Thank you!
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Old 03-05-2016, 07:16 PM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by mrbill_fl
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?
Originally Posted by hf1
Why not an automatic with a manual pull as fail-safe?
Good questions. I've always used a manual pull. Do they make them with auto and manual together? I would be curious as to reliability also. Stephen had a system, but it failed.
Old 03-05-2016, 08:16 PM
  #38  
dogger15
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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?
The automatic systems are very reliable. They are required safety
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
Old 03-06-2016, 12:12 AM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by jscott82
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.
Mine are sealed. I bought some aluminum plates and covered all gaps/holes in firewall in my SPB.
Also have one fire nozzle leading to fuel tank.
Old 03-07-2016, 09:57 AM
  #40  
disasterman
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Default MOMO/986 cool shirt

Anyone with an opinion on the MOMO/986 cool shirt.

I started wearing mine on top of a layer of underwear because I am concerned about the potential heat transfer.
Old 03-07-2016, 01:18 PM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by disasterman
Anyone with an opinion on the MOMO/986 cool shirt.

I started wearing mine on top of a layer of underwear because I am concerned about the potential heat transfer.
I don't like to bash other stuff. But, truth is truth and when it comes to safety, I'd rather make one mad in the efforts to make another safe.

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.
Old 03-07-2016, 01:29 PM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by ZBB0730
My hope is that all cooling gear will be FR and SFI compliant in the near future.
Are there any that are compliant now?
Old 03-07-2016, 01:32 PM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by hf1
Are any compliant now?
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.
Old 03-07-2016, 03:05 PM
  #44  
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Size small 986 for sale!
Old 03-07-2016, 06:00 PM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by ZBB0730
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.
I have one, used it all last season, and it is awesome. Got rid of my MOMO because I don't want to chance it or even sell it to someone else.


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