Safety.....the neck....helmets.....etc

[HR9121]

How much protection can we expect to get from just a collar? I used one in hot rod because it was required but haven't been wearing it in my stocker.

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by HR9121

How much protection can we expect to get from just a collar? I used one in hot rod because it was required but haven't been wearing it in my stocker.

The neck collar will help you from getting a broken collar bone from the full coverage helmet if you have an accident. I would wear an open face helmet if you don't want to wear the neck collar. When I rode dirt bikes the guys that had full coverage helmets got broken collar bones more often than an open face helmet.

[HR9121]

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

The neck collar will help you from getting a broken collar bone from the full coverage helmet if you have an accident. I would wear an open face helmet if you don't want to wear the neck collar. When I rode dirt bikes the guys that had full coverage helmets got broken collar bones more often than an open face helmet.

I wear open face, just feel like I can see better but have been playing around with the full coverage I know its safer. I know all too well about the collar bone, broke mine on a dirt bike when I was younger but hadn't put it together with the helmet till now. Thanks

[SSDiv6]

It boils down to how much your life is worth and the prospects of spending the rest of your life in a wheel chair or bed paralyzed.

With the higher weight of Stock and Super Stock cars and the speeds they are going down the track, you need better protection.

I also believe the current Aluminum seats that are being used as replacements seats, although better than the OEM seat, do not provide enough protection during impact.

Although heavier than the current Aluminum seats in use, for my new car, I am using a FIA approved seat that has been tested for high impact protection.

One of the best ideas Ford did for the CobraJets, was the use of Recaro FIA approved seats.

[ken robinson]

I also put roll bar padding on the steering column to save your necks caps , so hopefully you can talk away. Barrel rolls are terrifying . I think at the nationial events you might want to go over to the simpson trailer and ask them to try on the hans set up , they are very nice people .Before my helmet expired , I must have tried on 20 different helmets on before I found the one that fit just wright , and then I bought my new helmet on the spot . I did the same thing when my jacket and pants got worn out .The women let me try on differant jackets and pants , she said , try on this other one its your size and its a close out special at a marked down price . Ken R.

[novassdude]

After watching a friend tumble his 11 second nova. I have not made a pass without a neck collar.

[jmcarter]

I have to bite my tongue when I see what some people do for safety gear and seats, simply because it "looks" good or is the cheapest route. I've barrel rolled and due to good tight harness, cage, restraints, seat, etc. I was racing the next day in my other car. Wish everyone could see the car that Ken Etter crashed at Fontana (or even the Facebook pic of Paula's car) and recognize that even in a high 10 sec stocker the impact "can" be pretty dramatic (traumatic). Not trying for the moral high ground here, I've made lots of runs with open face, stock seats, etc. but age and experience (are there better tutors?) has taught me that a pound of regret is easily avoided with just an ounce of caution. Ok, Sunday sermon is over...