Risk management

Stingray 2212 · Rehab Dropout...

Risk management

Wolfman · Forum Addict

Mmm, fire proof clothing? No such thing. Fire retardant wet weather gear confused

I think that would be a first.

Maurie Fuller · Forum Junkie

I would be looking at leather motor cycle race gear.
Waterproof, very acceptable in a fire situation and temperature protection.

Trekka273 · sponsor

Spray jackets, etc should never, ever be allowed, no matter how bad the conditions. If you are cold, put on thermal underwear, fire retardent underwear, etc. A car can still catch fire and burn you in wet/muddy conditions, the rain won't help put you out! As an example, it would be quite conceivable for a car travelling at high speed to hit a tree and split the fuel tank (if he hit at the right angles, etc). This fuel could easily be splashed into the cabin and be ignited by heat of the engine, etc. Would you then like the jacket melting to you?

Wolf · Rehab Dropout...

Stingray 2212 wrote:

It is easy to think of the new risk management rules as a real pain but could they be something that allows us to use science & logic to formulate rules... ...what I am saying is that under risk management the subject warrants discussion.

I thought the mechanism in place for discussion of these topics is AORCom? AORCom reps talk to thier state panels, state panels talk to the clubs, clubs talk to the members. Ahh - what a perfect world.

In saying that though, when its a question of safety (which your example obviously is) a decision made by CAMS or AORCom which we all must abide by is essential rather than waiting for the mechanism of discussion above to take place.

RE your example. I think that not allowing raincoats etc is a good idea - my stepfatther had a tshirt melt onto him after a fire in the pits (speedway). Personally, I wouldnt have done it anyway. I do like Mauries MotoX suggestion - Azteck already does this I think?

As for the two year life of harnesses - a bit short I think. If they're inspected at every event, why not 4 or 5?

buzzard · Forum Addict

What about the seat belts melting on you ?

Chris

Trekka273 · sponsor

buzzard wrote:

What about the seat belts melting on you ?

Chris

Seat belts are actually made from a different material to most nylon-type rain/spray jackets, so they are a lot less inclined to burn and melt on to you then a spray jacket would.

dan · Forum Junkie

The complaining and questioning of the two year life on harnesses is a topic that is beginning to drive me to distraction!! This is NOT a "CAMS Rule" or an "AORCom Rule", it is the SFI Standard.

No amount of bitching, complaining or otherwise discussing it in this or any other forum is going to convince any one to approve for use as a safety item something that does not comply with the standard it was manufactured under.

If your choice is to use a harness with an SFI approval, for cost reasons or whatever - then that is the choice you make, safe in the knowledge that there is a limited life on products made and sold under the SFI foundation's standard.

Bottom line is if you want a longer life on your harnesses - spend the extra money and buy a harness with an FIA approval. These have a five year life.

Wolf · Rehab Dropout...

Settle down. I wasnt bitching or complaining. Forums are for discussion and I was discussing.

But you did answer my question. Not CAMS, not AORC, but a manufacturing standard. Cheers.

Im glad I asked and got the info I was after, even if it does drive you to distraction.

Stingray 2212 · Rehab Dropout...

Dan, do you know what the difference is in the webbing used in SFI vs FIA belts. I do because a harness manufacturer told me. Nothing. The webbing is exactly the same. There is an assumtion that FIA belts will be used on tarmac & SFI belts will be used on dirt. AORCom has chosen to allow belts that are not designed for use in dirt & mud to be used. If they can make that decision, they surely can say that if a belt is SFI rated, which means it has a certain breaking point, based on all of the evidence available, a longer lifespan is appropriate. Finally the lifespan in America (SCORE), on SFI belts, was & may still be three years. SCORE used the SFI standard as a guideline not as gospel.

car568 · In rehab

I don't know about you guys but I would be happy to spend the extra bucks on FIA standard belts if I could find a set with the leaver style latch.

Renegade · Forum Addict

The SFI Standard becomes one of legal liability and negligence. Should anyone (CAMS, event scrutineers etc.) allow an item that is out-of-date, no matter what the physical condition, to be used they open themselves up to a legal minefield should something go wrong. The insurers walk away as the vehicle does not conform to the rules, and CAMS/whoever is sued for negligence.

I agree that it seems a rather short lifespan but if you imagine cars in the USA are racing weekly all year so the harnesses will have had quite a hard life after 2 years. We are unfortunately caught in the crossfire here as we do not have the same potential for racing.

SANDMAN · Forum Addict

Hello all, I agree that the life span on seat belts as well as fire ext. probably could be revised as i am very much a budget racer but the funny thing is how some people that disagree with the restrictions will go & spend many many dollars on shocks, g/boxes & engine's ect to make there cars go faster but go all funny when they have to falk out 150bucks for something that could save there lives so i guess the fox shocks will have to go on hold for another set of belts for next year.