bgoetz

It isn't my DD, yeah kinda been my thoughts. When you look at it like this though maybe a hard top is the way to go, at least you skid on that as opposed to your head

white98ls

https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/112...on-the-street/

bgoetz

Well that answers my question, thanks! I do suppose this might be the "safest" option without all or nothing. Although as low as you sit how do you suppose the airbag functions? How about your head and the side of the door? I think there will always be a give and take to this sorta thing. The stock S2000 was rated quite high in all aspects.

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com..._S2000/Safety/

I have 3 more events planned and 1 is this weekend, maybe I will get through this year and reevaluate.

andrewhake

The roll hoops are functional even if you have no seats... I have seen more than one completely stock S2000 roll at Buttonwillow and both drivers walked away without a scratch. I think a quality well designed weld in roll cage will make the biggest difference in the event of a situation where the car rolls multiple times and a lot of centrifugal force builds up.

The thing about asking about safety advice on car forums is that there is probably only 1 person who actually knows what they are talking about and it is very unlikely that person will respond.

That said. Personally I wouldn't do a bolt in roll bar that does away with the built-in roll hoops or doesn't utilize the roll hoop mounting points. In most cases those built-in roll hoops are the only things that have actually been tested in an actual roll over. Most of these guys selling roll bars don't even load test them let alone do any real world testing.

I am likely much less risk averse than many people that post here, so take what I say with a grain of salt. I would gladly race with people wheel to wheel on track with no safety equipment if they would let me.

nissanfanatic

If I was doing a street/track car, I would probably do a Hard Dog roll bar, Sparco Ergo seat, and harnesses. When my car was still used on the street, I kept the OEM seat belts in the car and had clip in harnesses w/eye bolts. I would just tuck the shoulder straps behind the seat on the street. I also had a Sparco Evo 2 at the time.

The biggest safety addition that gave me peace of mind was a HANS, then a halo seat, closely followed by a roll bar. Statistically, neck injuries are the most common injury in racing. Fire related injuries are the scariest IMO. I made a lot of impulse buys after witnessing a bad fire crash on the street. It is actually why I decided to completely strip my car.

If you aren't doing W2W, you may ask around to find someone selling their outdated safety equipment. I don't know of any solo events where the safety equipment has to be in date so long as it is in good condition.

bgoetz

So what about forgeting gear for the car and buying gear for myself like a better helmet (mine is SA 2010, but it is quite heavy), a fire suite, and a HANs (can you use a HANs without a harness?)?

Currently I wear a heavy ass cheap helmet, a neck support, gloves, and jeans/long sleeve.

The more I think about it I do need some sunglasses that fit inside of my helmet or a visor tint as my current glasses suck.

nissanfanatic

Helmet is kind of up to you. I use a SA2005 currently and it is fairly heavy. I think that is more of a comfort thing. I don't think the weight is going to make any considerable difference in you being able to withstand a high g crash. The argument will go both ways, in that a couple pounds translates exponentially both ways in how much force you endure vs how much you reduce. Say you hit a wall at 60mph... The average human head weighs 11lbs and it stops your car in .5 seconds, which seems fairly long to me, but whatever. You are looking at 9 gees. So, your head weighs 100lbs for an instant... Go to the gym sometime and pick up a 100lb dumbbell. Not sure about you, but I am pretty screwed even without a helmet and I lift regularly. I'd opt for the cheap helmet+HANS vs just a light helmet.

Watch this video.
https://www.youtube....h?v=g40YatgE_CE


HANS requires a harness.


Can't go wrong with a fire suit. I think it is a bit overkill just for track days but I personally wear one now just from what I have seen even during track days.

I was never big on sunglasses until I bought a set of Costas with the 580 lenses. They are amazing when the sun is really glaring down. My first pair were the 580P lenses in the blue. Now I have a set of 580G amber lenses. I prefer the blue, but the glass lenses are really nice. Buy them used as they are ridiculously expensive new...

The only downside I could see to sunglasses is that in a fire the plastic may melt to your face. "Once you get to that point you have bigger problems..."blah blah blah. Just something to consider.

bgoetz

Dang that video is nuts! In all fairness though I have an airbag .

Why can't you use one with a 3 point? I had an instructor use one in my car last event with a 3 point.

BlueBarchetta

Dang that video is nuts! In all fairness though I have an airbag .

Why can't you use one with a 3 point? I had an instructor use one in my car last event with a 3 point.
[/quote]

There are some devices designed to be used with 3 point harnesses. Many instructors have these since many HPDE cars lack cage/seats/harness. However the "Hans" brand is designed to be used with harnesses only

bgoetz

this has been a good informative discussion that has not become a debate which is nice. I think the decision I have come to is that life is dangerous, hell I ride a bike between 6-11k miles annually on the street, every car that passes me could hit me and kill me. These are HPDE events and are designed to introduce people with normal cars to driving on a race track. The facilities/events themselves are designed in such a manner that they allow driving closer to the limits in a much safer manner than on the street. However, driving closer to those limits increases the risk of an incident, one that regardless of where you are could turn bad. Extra safety gear helps address this. The car itself makes really no difference to me with regards to safety equipment, I don't think the S2000 is any less safe to the point where it would cause me to choose a safety device that I would not in another car.

I don't feel that people should have to invest in all of this expense to participate in something that they may only do a few times and then decide it isn't for them, I don't think it is practice to modify a street car to this point when just getting started. The HPDE events for the most part agree. All that said these are not races and rely on a level of self control/awareness to stay safe, I think this is the single biggest key to everything.

Now, I do think as has been said many times in other similar threads, there is a point where things gravitate a bit beyond the HPDE thing. Your doing it more and your getting closer to the limits. At this point I think being honest with yourself and investing into most of the above gear is a great idea. Who knows at the end of the day maybe there is something to be said about the level of self awareness gained by following this path as well.

I think I am just getting my feet wet and will evaluate after the couple of events I have left and go from there. If it is something I will keep doing making the investment is a good thing. Could something happen in those couple events, sure. Could I get clipped by a car tonight on my bike, absolutely. At least in the car I have some control of my own right foot, on my bike who knows what the driver approaching is doing.

With regards to my question that started this, I think just a seat to get you lower will get you low enough at my height and may be a decent single safety mod, so maybe I will start there if I do it in phases.