Funny Car Cage...Safe or not?

[Wayne Scraba]

More than a dozen years ago while I was sitting in an airport lounge waiting for a flight, I had a lengthy conversation with the late Jim Deist. Jim was convinced we had it all wrong when it came to roll bars (period). His point was a driver's helmet could easily come in contact with the roll bar hoop, simply because the hoop is too close (to the helmet). He elaborated on the normal stretch in a belt/harness in an accident (its a lot), even when they're cinched tight. A funny car cage only made it worse, even with all of the "padding" in the world. Basically, the driver's head gets rattled around in a crash in such a case and that's why people die or have serious head injuries. Jim was a pretty smart Kat and I suspect he was right.

Anyway, I no longer have a dog in the fight (race cars), but I think it's very important this gets hashed out. It would be nice if the powers at NHRA were listening....

Wayne

[Wade Mahaffey]

Originally Posted by Wayne Scraba

More than a dozen years ago while I was sitting in an airport lounge waiting for a flight, I had a lengthy conversation with the late Jim Deist. Jim was convinced we had it all wrong when it came to roll bars (period). His point was a driver's helmet could easily come in contact with the roll bar hoop, simply because the hoop is too close (to the helmet). He elaborated on the normal stretch in a belt/harness in an accident (its a lot), even when they're cinched tight. A funny car cage only made it worse, even with all of the "padding" in the world. Basically, the driver's head gets rattled around in a crash in such a case and that's why people die or have serious head injuries. Jim was a pretty smart Kat and I suspect he was right.

Anyway, I no longer have a dog in the fight (race cars), but I think it's very important this gets hashed out. It would be nice if the powers at NHRA were listening....

Wayne

Just a few that know first hand what the cages can do are John Force and Connie Kalitta. They have both lost drivers from head injuries. Mr. Deist RIP was right on in my opinion. There's excuses and reasons not to engage and bring about corrective action, and action requires effort, and to each his own. When I think about a race car crashing expert....I think about NASCAR. Who crashes more than they do....we should take some notes!

Wade Mahaffey

[j gardiner]

I agree 100 pct. with you Wade we have seen it first hand. I don't know why doorslammer drag cars aren't built like a stock car I bet if it was the other way around they would be a couple deaths a year.

[gbur]

Regardless of size, if you can't get your butt thru a 18 in bathroom door ,you surely don't need a 24 wide cage, otherwise ,skip McD