n2otoofast4u Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 I posted something similar to this on a "sand drag website" and my thoughts were basically pushed aside from the people who run the circuit. Ive been all over the country racing at sand drag tracks, Ive seen WAY too many crashes, and time after time I wonder how long its going to be before some changes are made, and thus far there has been very few changes that Ive seen. I agree that too many rules is going to upset some people, but those same people will be elated when one of their own is involved is a crash and live to tell about it. Ive seen 5 crashes in 10 years that I was truly concerned that the person involved was not going to live. One of which involved a friends wife, and another involved a good friend. I cannot type well enough to explain how you feel when you load people into an ambulance with the expectations of you not seeing them alive again. The first place Id like to turn attentions to is for those people that have seen the video that Brett has recently released. If you watch what many of the racers are wearing as they pull up to the light will tell 75% of this story. You see tennis shoes, t-shirt, no neck braces, no gloves, questionable helmets, etc, etc..... At one point you see a person who is a well know racer take off head first on a lay down 3 wheeler with nothing more than a helmet, jeans, tennis shoes on. Ive personally seen that bike run 3.30 @ nearly 100mph.... Its things like this that will prevent ANY major sponsor from putting their name anywhere near these races. Id like this thread to stay positive and directional. This first part I think we need to talk about what we as racers can control the easiest and that is rider gear. Track surface, and track configuration safety can come soon, as well as track staff qualifications. One thing people need to remember, is that there are both mechanical failures and human error that can/will cause accidents. And its not ONLY you and your bike that can have these, there is a person/bike right next to you that with either of these things happening can instantly be in your lane! Things I would like to see checked/worn/enforced 1- DOT or Snell approved FULL FACED helmet (some will jump on the full faced thing as they think visors will fog. I get it, but there are things that can be done to prevent it) 2- Full armed skid resistant jacket (not just a long sleeve shirt) Either a leather jacket or a skid resistant material jacket. 3- Long pants- no sweats, cotton, etc... Need to be denim material or some sort of skid resistant material 4- Over the ankle foot wear... This is a bit of a sticky subject as many people struggle to shift with a pair of heavy boots on. I get it. But there are many types of "shoes" that are over the ankle that will provide good support but are thin enough to be able to shift without issue. 5- Gloves 6- Neck Support-- 4.0 and faster requires a LEATT or similar device! Slower than 4.0 a roll is adequate. (This is where people are going to piss and moan that the braces are 300 bucks.. GET OVER IT! You have a 10k bike. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenyboy Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 You only have one body, protect it at all costs!! Seen plenty of accidents in mx days, torn off feet, knee caps ripped off bones hanging out of bodies. These examples were people not wearing appropriate safety gear. I fractured my legs 3 times wearing full gear, would of been worse wearing Nike dunks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strokeittwice Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 this will be a touchy subject for sure.when you say "skid resistant", are you referring to running on asphalt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n2otoofast4u Posted May 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 Both dirt and pavement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
375hp banshees Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 then you throw in the alcohol... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazen582 Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 I had I good post typed out and hit the wrong damn button!!! its gone. I am not typing it all again! I agree Green! My son has a choice wear it or spectate no diff to me!! He wears it all except the gloves and boots. He wears high top shoes which don't provide the best but better than what I mostly see! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazen582 Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 this will be a touchy subject for sure.when you say "skid resistant", are you referring to running on asphalt? lol Scott you and I was just having this conversation yesterday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheerider11 Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 I think this should really be taken seriously. I refuse to ride without a helmet boots and pants. I just trail and pit ride. But if I'm doing 40-50-60 in the woods, and these drag guys are doing 80-90-100. There's no coming back from that. If I fall, I'll be really fucked up. And I have been. I can't imagine going double the speed ad taking a spill. I love this sport. I'll be doing it for the rest of my life with family and friends. I would really like to see a huge leap forward in the industry with our bikes. Banshees are the only bikes in the world with the aftermarket we have. Why can't we be the same as the top fuel guys? The guys from 87 that are still around us because these bikes make us smile. 40-50 even 60 year old guys playing with these toys. Why level off because we can't get anymore people to see into our community? The big names in the auto AMA NHRA whatever it may be,prob see us as safety shitheads because of our protective t shirts, jean shorts, and converse. Would you want your name/investment on some guy that flipped 18 times down the track with you sponsor t shirt? Like I said I love this sport, I want to continue making absurd amounts of power with these things. Getting bigger names involved can only help. I'm pretty sure almost everyone wants the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strokeittwice Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 lol Scott you and I was just having this conversation yesterday! yes we were, and I agree with about 99% of what is mentioned above. however, im not a fan of long pants. my father died on the race track.....he was wearing long pants. I know that wasn't the cause, but it did nothing for the broken leg that he had or the scrapes and sand dug into his skin when he finally came to a stop. im not gonna argue any point made above, they are all good valid ones, but the long pants thing is just something that I personally feel should be my choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheerider11 Posted May 22, 2013 Report Share Posted May 22, 2013 yes we were, and I agree with about 99% of what is mentioned above. however, im not a fan of long pants. my father died on the race track.....he was wearing long pants. I know that wasn't the cause, but it did nothing for the broken leg that he had or the scrapes and sand dug into his skin when he finally came to a stop. im not gonna argue any point made above, they are all good valid ones, but the long pants thing is just something that I personally feel should be my choice. Sorry about your father, but that's a odd one to pick out. I would think gloves boots or neck device would be on the list of shit that people don't want Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strokeittwice Posted May 22, 2013 Report Share Posted May 22, 2013 Sorry about your father, but that's a odd one to pick out. I would think gloves boots or neck device would be on the list of shit that people don't want thanx, its more of a comfort thing while its 95* outside in the blazing sun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locogato11283 Posted May 22, 2013 Report Share Posted May 22, 2013 Green hit everything perfectly. I agree with him 100%. Sand drag racing has the LEAST protection with probably the MOST potential for disaster. Furthermore, I think Green and I have discussed the sponsor part before. Any major ATV race backed by the AMA has very strict rules. I don't agree with a lot of what the AMA does, but they do want to protect their riders. They also pull in some good sponsors because their race series look professional. Monster sponsored the 2011 National Hillclimb and gave away a ton of free shit. I'd like to see a sand drag event pull that type of high profile sponsor with the current rules and regulations. It's just not going to happen. Basically, wearing safety gear not only protects the riders, but it makes the organization look professionally run. It's a win win for all parties involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad one ton Posted May 22, 2013 Report Share Posted May 22, 2013 Everything but the neck brace is mandatory when i race my bike at bandamire 1/4 mile asphalt, and i dont race professionally, im just up there on wednesday's test n tune going up against cars or really anyone who lines up next to me. Why isn't it mandatory for any and all atv drag racing events? I dont get it. TON! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadbeat Posted May 22, 2013 Report Share Posted May 22, 2013 does a bit of thought into track design come into it at all? that BBD track is so narrow, zero margine for error and either side of that track will fuck you up if you spear off at the fast end, even WITH all the safety gear...i was a bit shocked when i looked at some vids of it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowerThanYou Posted May 22, 2013 Report Share Posted May 22, 2013 I've noticed the dirt/sand side of drag racing is lacking in a bunch of safety areas. The rider protection is part of it, but not all. The ATVs organizations need to take a harder look on what other successful motorsports are doing for safety. While you can't prevent all accidents from happening, there's always room for constant improvement of safety rules. NHRA & NASCAR does this very well along with other organizations. If you take the ignorant mentality of one. Rider protection is the only area for safety, then the next step if you cannot make the sport safer. You do away with the sport, LOL!; "you CANNOT without taking it away completely...." Crawl back into your cave & stay there Neanderthal. I will give an example that could/may of helped in this situation. Both NHRA & NASCAR have guidelines for track safety: like barrier construction, shut down lengths, lane specs & the list goes on. Next is age minimums, there needs to be standards set for speed/ET. Maybe this child was on a quad that was or wasn't appropriate for his age. NHRA has standards for their JR. Dragster classes for kids. Then there's is actually ATV safety standards that should be in place & checked at every race. I'll give an example: A guy was bragging about have a kill lanyard, but it was not even hooked up. Sounds kind of like some peoples brain on safety. They have one, but it's not hooked up! These are just a few areas & I'm sure Green will elaborate also. does a bit of thought into track design come into it at all? that BBD track is so narrow, zero margine for error and either side of that track will fuck you up if you spear off at the fast end, even WITH all the safety gear...i was a bit shocked when i looked at some vids of it.. Deadbeat, my quote was brought up in the other thread & it addresses some other safety items. We all have a choice on rider safety equipment, but most choose not too. There needs to be a standard set for all safety equipment & enforced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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