"MINI COOPER POWAH!" (ajdaboss64)
04/15/2014 at 20:34 • Filed to: None
6
0|
"MINI COOPER POWAH!" (ajdaboss64)
04/15/2014 at 20:34 • Filed to: None | 6
| 0 |
Hey all,
So one thing i want to plan on discussing is safety systems and how changing it affects, well safety.
When you go into the dealer and buy a car, it comes with a designed safety system to pass government crash tests. This can include (depending on year and model) Seat belts, air bags, rollover system crash cells and other items. My mini cooper for example has "curtain airbags" that deploy to protect you in an accident. 3 point belts are pretty common and though often despised, they have there purposes like that in a roll over crash, you can "lean" to the side and aren't necessarily trapped upright if the the car collapses, while not perfect it can work.
A fully caged car has a completely different safety system. the cage is to insure that the car's roof wont collapse down on your head and that nothing else intrudes into the drivers area. Harnesses are made to hold you safely in a well fitted seat and a HANS (or other neck restraint) is made to prevent your head from literally flying off your spine, as well a fire suit and gear to protect you in a fire should it take you extra time to get out of the car.
one of the most common issues I run into at my job is talking people OUT of racing seats. yes that right, I said talking OUT of not into. Racing seats are designed to work with 5 or 6 point racing harnesses, (I'll save 4 point belt talk for another post on harnesses) and a roll cage and proper harness mounting points. Being stuck in the upright position in a collapsed car is indeed sub-optimal and the main reason why seats aren't recommended in an uncaged car.
for basic track days, there is NO shame in taking your basic car to the track, you DON'T need racing seats, harnesses and a suit. odds are the first track day will be spent learning and not driving on the razor edge. listen to your instructors. they are in the car with you for a reason.
I do plan on continuing this series as a learning tool to oppo/jalopnik and have a TON of other subjects to cover, but feel free to contact me if you have any questions about a specific piece of gear or part.
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