Injury at Silverstone

[TimD]

Thanks for the clarification of what you spotted. I'm no expert and besides my specialist subjects tend not to carry belts or hoops at all so I'll refrain from comment.

But it just shows what a practiced eye can spot. Further observations awaited with curiosity.

[simon drabble]

Scrutes over here are very strict as are the FIA and if something complies with that then its fair to assume that it offers sufficient protection. If the extra hoop is welded on properly it is fine - we have just dont this to my rollbar as it was not quite high enough for one of the drivers
American cars are a little over the top when it comes to rollbars etc and this must add so much weight to the car - ironic really when I am under the impression that American historic racing is not as full on as it is in UK and Europe

[dereklola]

"Scrutes are very strict, if something complies then it's fair to assume that it offers sufficient protection" - Huh? Regulations not only don't represent the lastest thinking on many items, only minimum standards, they apparently don't even address the correct application of things like seats and seat belts.

Welding an extension on top of the rollbar is just plain stupid even if you have done it on one of your cars. Why not do the job properly by extending at the bottom and making sure the third member attaches to the top?

I agree with your comment that, in some cases "American cars are a little over the top when it comes to rollbars" but you've got to remember circuit racing, road racing as it's called, is very much a fringe activity here and many amateurs have to use prep shops that normally work on 3500 lb race cars to make their rollbars or roll cages. But none of this applies to formula cars which we were addressing.

Not sure what you mean by racing not being "as full on" in America. If you mean not as aggressive then there are three answers. 1 - being a fringe activity within the enormous total size of motorsport[*] there are smaller, local historic events where relative newcomers are welcome. But then that happens in the UK too, right? 2 - when overseas visitors have raced here they typically come with a 'superior attitide' and go home with their tails between their legs [just as we do in the opposite direction]. 3 - at some tracks [circuits] the outright track record is held by historic cars even at tracks where profession events [like ALMS] take place.
[*] you've also got to remember our distances - I typically drive 500-1400 miles to each event and many people more than that - so many drivers only attend 2 or 3 events a year.

Sorry for hijacking the thread on the accident - but initial answers to my comments on safety seem to confirm my suspicion that there is still a cavalier attitude to safety in UK historic racing.

[simon drabble]

Cavalier it might appear but the records speak for themselves - racing here is 10/10ths and thank god serious accidents are very rare. Marshals in UK are superb and although drivers race hard they are responsible.
Most series cars race with belts and hoops. I did a season in the BRDC Historic Sportscar series where some cars ran without but it was a personal choice (I actually chose to put a hoop and belts into my car).

[dereklola]

Chacun a son gout.

You did get me thinking though - I've been racing and rallying for 49 years and I've never yet 'needed' seat belts or rollbar/cage. But as with flying I still use the latest/best safety equipment available.

[simon drabble]

well as you will see from my comment I actually choose to as well
not sure what you mean by having never needed seat belts and/or roll bar in 49 years of racing/rallying - if you mean that you have never had an incident that is an incredible record and perhaps backs up my comments about US racing not being as full on as UK and Europe. I would not consider myself as a doorbanger by any means but in my short time on the track I have on several occassions spun off or been in "racing" accidents - rallying without incident must be almost unheard of!

[dereklola]

Most of my rallying and racing was in UK and Europe!

[simon drabble]

well you clearly were'nt pushing it hard enough!!
looked on your webpage - you have some very nice cars - are you campaigning them at the moment?