[Chiperb]

SAFTEY LECTURE: Snell Foundation Rating: named after a guy (Snell) who was killed 35 plus years ago beacuse of a defective helmet

"M" rating minimum for motorsports,"SA" better because of better fire resistance (for example an enclosed car). SOme track events (SCCA?) require a SA rating. Also Snell reting by year : Snell 2000 etc. Helmut usually only good for 5 years with out an impact incident.

Helmuets are made to rupture to dissapate the energy and be destryed in the process.

Hav heard tell where cheap helmets actully CONTRIBUTE to injry bu craing on impact and pitching the head.

Full Coverage: Remember Dale Earnhardt: Face went into the interior of the vehicle (see harnesses below). No 'half helmets: they leave the base of the skull exposed.

Cheap neck brace is better than nothin: HANS device better. Keeps the head from flying foward doing aighspinal chord injury.

Head rests: Same thing: keeps head from flying backwards.

Harnesses> Through bolted tothe frame with grade 8 olts and BIG washers.

1 HArnesses should be replaced every 5 years, partic in an open car: Ultra violet light deterioates them.

And accident stretches them (supposed to to dissapate energy) but runins them in the process. Also don't run too long of a course: the may stretch and allow you to impact some part of the vehcle (wheel, dash board etc)

Finally, minimum of a five point harness, six point better. crotch straps type the harness together and keep you from "submarining" under the belts.

And no "Y"" belts, you need two shouder harness attachment points to hold you in place, partic again side forces(cornering or going off course)

Above is more for road racing but just as important on the road and important on the drag strip.

Hope I can get all of the above done on the new project. Already done on the old projects.

Remember: "Speed doesn't kill, it's the sudden acceleration that does"

End of lecture. cb