How much is safety worth?

cicero819 · 11-01-2010, 09:14 PM

How much is safety worth to us. After reviewing Ken Etter's pictures from his accident, I've come to the conclusion that a freak accident can set us back or even worse cut our lives short. I read what Angelo Ditocco had to say in another thread on what he wish NHRA should allow for his Super-Stocker wish list, are things to do were mostly for safety related items. I've decided to go with a 12 points roll cage in my stocker instead of the lighter 6points mounts, why take a chance and I'm sure the extra strength won't hurt. I know that in my previous race cars that safety sometime took a back seat to performance. I know I'll pay a little more attention to checking and rechecking for malfunctioning parts in the future.CR

smracer2002 · 11-02-2010, 02:18 PM

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GTX JOHN · 11-02-2010, 03:28 PM

Unfortunately, no bar can extend past firewall in stock in NHRA

JP · 11-03-2010, 02:13 AM

John, a bar through the firewall is not the fix.
A real cage, a harness that is anchored correctly just behind the seat and allowance of racing seats, that is the fix... or at least a safer way to go racing.

I will my self add a HANS/HNRS to my equipment next season.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTX JOHN

Unfortunately, no bar can extend past firewall in stock in NHRA

GTX JOHN · 11-03-2010, 03:42 AM

My Demon has a full CM cage, It has 2x3 subframe running welded thru floor. Cage is attached to subframe by 2x2 square tubing. It has four extra crossmembers connecting cage to frame rails. I'll post pictures after World Finals and anyone is invited to check it out at race.
Most of Kens injuries were from steering column sustaining direct contact with Concrete K rail then completely collapsing crumbling segment and then being thrown into Ken's face like a Javelin breaking his full face helmet and then his Jaw.
I am not an engineer but I have to think that front frame rails extending near front of factory frame there would be afforded some protection for the column which is the worst part of front of car to use to absorb the force of impact. I will try to post some pics of Kens car which I purchased after finals.
What does everybody else think about allowing front extension to cage in Stock?

Ken Etter · 11-03-2010, 11:57 AM

I met with Bruce B at the national race last week. I gave him some pictures that are much more graphic than the ones floating on the net. I gave him 4 suggestions based on my experience. 1 Racing seats (mine were folded up and didnt do a good job securing me) 2 Full face helmets 3 Allowing forward bars on a cage 4 take the batteries out of the front ( Mine exploded on impact sending acid everywhere and started a fire. Unsafe for the driver and the safety crew trying to help. Plus how many people have dropped a wrench on the battery when working? I have. Put it in the trunk and make it safer for the drivers,mechanics,tech inspectors during teardowns. Just my 2 cents.

11-01-2010, 09:14 PM	#1
cicero819 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Aylmer Quebec, Canada Posts: 1,086 Likes: 31 Liked 69 Times in 30 Posts	How much is safety worth? How much is safety worth to us. After reviewing Ken Etter's pictures from his accident, I've come to the conclusion that a freak accident can set us back or even worse cut our lives short. I read what Angelo Ditocco had to say in another thread on what he wish NHRA should allow for his Super-Stocker wish list, are things to do were mostly for safety related items. I've decided to go with a 12 points roll cage in my stocker instead of the lighter 6points mounts, why take a chance and I'm sure the extra strength won't hurt. I know that in my previous race cars that safety sometime took a back seat to performance. I know I'll pay a little more attention to checking and rechecking for malfunctioning parts in the future.CR Attached Thumbnails

11-02-2010, 02:18 PM	#2
smracer2002 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: So Tx. USA Posts: 92 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How much is safety worth? ... __________________ First On Race Day

11-02-2010, 03:28 PM	#3
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,733 Likes: 2,803 Liked 2,486 Times in 697 Posts	Re: How much is safety worth? Unfortunately, no bar can extend past firewall in stock in NHRA

11-03-2010, 03:42 AM	#5
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,733 Likes: 2,803 Liked 2,486 Times in 697 Posts	Re: How much is safety worth? My Demon has a full CM cage, It has 2x3 subframe running welded thru floor. Cage is attached to subframe by 2x2 square tubing. It has four extra crossmembers connecting cage to frame rails. I'll post pictures after World Finals and anyone is invited to check it out at race. Most of Kens injuries were from steering column sustaining direct contact with Concrete K rail then completely collapsing crumbling segment and then being thrown into Ken's face like a Javelin breaking his full face helmet and then his Jaw. I am not an engineer but I have to think that front frame rails extending near front of factory frame there would be afforded some protection for the column which is the worst part of front of car to use to absorb the force of impact. I will try to post some pics of Kens car which I purchased after finals. What does everybody else think about allowing front extension to cage in Stock?

11-03-2010, 11:57 AM	#6
Ken Etter Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Riverside,Ca Posts: 112 Likes: 0 Liked 87 Times in 9 Posts	Re: How much is safety worth? I met with Bruce B at the national race last week. I gave him some pictures that are much more graphic than the ones floating on the net. I gave him 4 suggestions based on my experience. 1 Racing seats (mine were folded up and didnt do a good job securing me) 2 Full face helmets 3 Allowing forward bars on a cage 4 take the batteries out of the front ( Mine exploded on impact sending acid everywhere and started a fire. Unsafe for the driver and the safety crew trying to help. Plus how many people have dropped a wrench on the battery when working? I have. Put it in the trunk and make it safer for the drivers,mechanics,tech inspectors during teardowns. Just my 2 cents. __________________ Ken Etter 7375 STK/5 SS