What type of safety precautions are taken for NASCAR drivers?
Author: Niles Hanssen
Website: http://www.NascarHwy.com
Added: Mon, Oct 2, 2006 21:24:49
Category: Nascar Questions
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After the accident that killed Dale Earnhardt on the last lap of the Daytona 500 in 2001, NASCAR introduced the following mandatory safety precautions:
- The driver's seats that were used before 2001 wrapped around the rib cage of the driver. This spread the load over the entire rib cage, which can cause breakage. New race car seats wrap around the driver's shoulders instead of the rib cage, because the shoulders are stronger.
- The seat belt used in a race car is now much stronger than a normal seat belt. It is now a 5- or 6-point harness which has 2 straps coming down over the driver's shoulders, 2 straps around the waist, and another 2 that come up between the legs.
- Roof flaps were introduced in order to prevent cars from getting airborne and possibly flipping down the track. These are placed into pockets in the roof of the car.
- Most tracks are now equipped with softer barriers and walls, which are called SAFER or Steel and Foam Energy Reduction. They tend to absorb the impact of a car at high speed, in contrast with the concrete walls which absorbed little or no impact.
- The pit crew members are required to wear helmets and full fireproof suits. The refueller is required to wear a fire apron as well as the fireproof suit. Tire changers are also required to wear safety glasses to avoid possible eye injuries that may come from lug nuts thrown off the car.
keywords: NASCAR | Stock Cars | Stock Car Racing | Car Racing | Auto Racing | Raceway | Safety | Driving About the Author:
Niles Hanssen answers frequently asked Nascar questions at PrettyGreatAnswers.com.
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