Amateur Road Racing Safety

By Craig Markusic

Danger is always present in auto racing. Race car drivers recognize the danger and take steps to reduce the risks. Aside from staying alert, the drivers ensure that their race cars are equipped with various safety devices. For the next auto racing season, this is how safety is prepared in the Acura Integra. The underlying principles in safety preparation can also be applied in other race cars.

Structure

The car already has a well-built 8-point welded-in roll cage from The ROLLCAGEGUY in Akron Ohio. I plan to add a few more bars and reinforcements before next season because I never feel quite safe enough. The bars will also serve to add some structural rigidity to the chassis. The driver’s side features NASCAR style door bars that extend into the door cavity close to the outer skin. The original factory door beams are still in place. NASA allows the removal of the factory door beams if NASCAR style beams are installed with the cage. My personal opinion is that the factory beams should be left in place, at least on the driver’s side.

The material used for the Integra factory beams is several times stronger than the mild steel tubing used in most amateur race car’s roll cages and is required, by US Federal motor vehicle safety regulation 214, to resist a load equal to two times the curb weight of the vehicle during the first 18 inches of deformation when crushed with a 12 inch diameter steel ram. If the beam is removed from the door, you are left with a sheet metal shell typically constructed of steel less than one millimeter thick and that will provide essentially no crush resistance.

The other structural element that I’ve seen to be the target for weight removal in some Integras and Civics is the side center pillar gusset. This is a large steel reinforcement that bolts to the rear seat cross member and extends to the base of the center pillar (right below where the front row factory seat belt retractors mount). I’m not sure if the NASA rules explicitly allow the removal of these parts. The gussets serve to reinforce and anchor the base of the pillar and provide a substantial amount of crush resistance to the side of the vehicle during an impact. They should never be removed under any circumstance.

Fire

I’ll be installing a Safecraft fire system this winter. Hand held extinguishers are legal but I’d prefer not to have to fumble around unlatching and aiming an extinguisher in the event of a fire. It is much simpler to just pull the release handle. The system uses Halon 1301, which is toxic if inhaled, but doesn’t leave a residue when deployed. Hopefully I never have to use it.

Seat

I’m currently using the HRP Racing Products aluminum road-racing seat. It’s essentially a Kirky deluxe road-racing seat with the HRP logo and fire resistance cover. It’s a nice seat but NASA rule changes in 2007 require the use of a head restraint seat and/or a head restraint net (right side containment net). I could have kept the seat and just added the net but I like the combination of the head restraint seat and net and feel that it will provide the best level of safety.

I purchased a Racetech RT-4009WTHR seat with head restraint and their Viper side net through Harrison Motorsports. This model has provisions for a back support, which is unusual for a composite seat. We’ll add an article later outlining the seat installation process. Or you can find more information in our website.

Restraint/Harness

I’m currently using a Schroth 6-point with quick release latch. It is FIA-approved so it only has to be replaced every 5 years versus approximately every two to three years for an SFI-approved harness. I have used TeamTech harnesses up until 2005 when I purchased a HANS device. I wasn’t comfortable with how the 3-inch shoulder straps of the Teamtech harness fit over the HANS device so I switched to the Schroth unit with more HANS compatible 2-inch wide shoulder webbing. Teamtech now offers a HANS compatible harness with 2-inch shoulder straps and I like the additional features they offer such as pelvis and thorax padding and a torso strap so I might be switching back soon.

HANS Device

If you enjoy having your head properly attached to your neck, this is a good investment. I don’t think it will be too much longer before it becomes a requirement in SCCA and NASA club events. It’s pricey but it is a relative bargain when compared to the alternatives. If your racing budget won’t accommodate the purchase of the HANS (Head and Neck Restraint System) or a similar device then you should stop racing until it does. If you have a friend that competes in a different class you can always share the HANS. The helmet mounting tabs are inexpensive so this would be a reasonable way to stay safe on a budget.

About the author:

Craig Markusic is an engineer who has 19 years of experience in automotive safety and 13 years of experience in amateur auto racing or road racing. He is a member of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and National Auto Sport Association (NASA). His website can be accessed at www.markusicracing.com.