SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/501768
IMPROVING SAFETY Additional studies involving harness placement and widths, are also providing some interesting results. For example, studies by MasterCraft have shown that the use of two-inch lap belts, can provide a better fit for most drivers. According to Pierce, two-inch restraints fit more optimally in the Iliac crest of the hip, the larger area of the pelvis bone, which allows drivers to adjust the lap belts nearly two inches tighter. "A tighter and better fitting lap belt allows the pelvis to be better contained, thus reducing the incidence of submarining," says Pierce. "Additionally, because the lap belts are tighter and containing the pelvis better, the impact loads there are faster, which further reduces the resultant loads to the chest. Chest and neck loads from and impact do not begin until the pelvis has stopped moving and the more movement in the pelvis, the greater the force is that travels up to the chest and neck." Because harnesses and seats are designed to absorb impacts it's also important for teams to have them checked after being involved in an accident. "The general rule is to change out the restraints, or at a minimum send the restraints back to the manufacturer for an inspection of the hardware and re-web of the webbing," says Pierce. "If the crash has been particularly violent, it is also a good idea to return your seat, helmet, and frontal head restraint device to the manufacturer for an integrity inspection." While seats and harnesses are vital factors to improving safety within desert racing vehicles, the manufacturers we spoke with are also quick to point out that these products are only a part of the entire safety package that can reduce injuries. Because there's no guarantee that all the safety precautions in any race vehicle can eliminate all injuries in a crash, it's important to utilize everything available such as neck collars, HANS devices, window safety nets and more, to offer the best chance of minimizing injuries SJ THE IMPACT RACING RACER SERIES LATCH AND LINK RESTRAINTS ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR OFF-ROAD AND DESERT RACING. THE THREE- INCH X TWO-INCH RESTRAINTS ARE SFI 16.1 CERTIFIED AND FEATURE INDIVIDUAL SHOULDER STRAPS WITH A CAMLOCK BUCKLE. THE SYSTEM ALSO INCLUDES A CHOICE OF A RATCHET LAP BELT ADJUSTER ON THE RIGHT OR LEFT SIDE, AND COMES WITH QSR ADJUSTERS, BOLT-IN ENDS AND THREE-BAR FOR WRAP. WWW.IMPACTRACEPRODUCTS.COM 064 SCORE JOURNAL