Oh I am playing nice Blackjack, and yes, I did see your previous post. I do get particularly wound up when the safety of people is at stake, and you’ll have to forgive me. Just wondering though…..do you have any of the details (tangible documentation would be rather nice) on your car meeting DOT? Was the car physically tested to determine if the belts worked properly, or was it simply stated by the manufacturer that the car “met all DOT requirements”? There may be a rather large difference between those two proclamations.

In addition, how do you know the structure on Mr. Pallister’s car is identical to your example? I think I’d be rather cautious comparing apples to oranges, particularly when it comes to something such as the structural strength of specific automobiles, or even similar automobiles manufactured at different times and used under different conditions. There’s more too: Some time ago, the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) released a set of figures for passenger cars involved in a 35 mile per hour head on crash into a solid object. These test figures have been obtained by way of instrumented "dummies" seated in production vehicles propelled into a concrete barrier. The dummy decelerates at a force equal to between twenty and forty "G's" for a period of time equaling fifty to one hundred milliseconds. Although the time frame is critical, it is the massive "G" loading, even in a 35 mile per hour crash that quickly becomes apparent. Just look at the following simple mathematical calculations -- using both a 170 pound driver and a 250 pound driver as examples:

20 G's @ deceleration: 20 X 170 lb. Driver = 3,400 pounds
20 G's @ deceleration: 20 X 250 lb. Driver = 5,000 pounds
30 G's @ deceleration: 30 X 170 lb. Driver = 5,100 pounds
30 G's @ deceleration: 30 X 250 lb. Driver = 7,500 pounds
40 G's @ deceleration: 40 X 170 lb. Driver = 6,800 pounds
40 G's @ deceleration: 40 X 250 lb. Driver = 10,000 pounds

Now, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the forces present in an accident at a relatively slow overall speed are rather formidable. G-force numbers ranging anywhere from 3,400 pounds to over five tons are trying to pull you out of the seat belt and at the same time, trying to stretch the belt, bend the belt hardware and pull the mounts free from the vehicle. And remember, this is from an instrumented crash at 35 miles per hour. How much faith do you have in a nutsert -- even a 1/2-inch version?

Your turn.

Wayne Scraba
Wayne Scraba Motorsports
Kirkham Owner & Dealer