Think safety equipment is not important? The driver in the Mustang was on his way to a clean pass when the Camaro crossed the centerline hit and turned him into the fence at at least 130 mph. Both cars were done for the event with heavy damage, but the drivers were ok.


Photos by Wheatley

Evo's with no bars, cage, or harness at this speed would wind up in a ball with the driver hurt bottom line. It's your choice, and you would hate to have the same thing happen to you without the proper safety equipment. I'm sure the Mustang driver never thought he would have to test the cage or the harness, but it did it's job and he walked away.

P.S. The Mustang went through the lights in the other lane at 9.30@97. and change after it crashed.

 

Thanks, this makes me think a lot about safety! With getting faster the proper safety can deff. save your life.

On other note did the mustang get mad that the other guy just mess up his car? any fighting go down?

 

I doubt they fought. Once you get into the calibur these two cars look, there is a much higher respect for each other. Sure he's pissed his car is messed up, but these guys live the mantra "you gotta pay to play" They are both glad they are both ok, the vehicles can be repaired.

 

The thing is, this could happen to you no matter how fast your car is. At the track, I try to avoid racing against any big-time race cars since they're the ones most likely to go out of control and slide into my lane - you'll pretty much never find two street cars in this sort of accident.

Tom

 

There has been talk that the guy in the Camaro was gloating around the pits afterwards about that being the 3rd car he had taken out by crossing the center line. That Mustang was a brand new 6 figure car. There was no respect for each other, I can tell you that.

 

Good info mr indy.

Rather be safe then sorry.

 

Safety is important. But its a rubber ruler. What is safer?
motorcycle or evo with no cage?
funny car with no cage or regular evo with no cage?
4000lb mustang with cage or 1800lb honda with cage?

Racing is dangerous. Best to not do it at all if you want ultimate safety.

 

What the NHRA needs to do is lower the ET for requiring a cage. The 11.49 ET is not low enough. There are so many full weight factory cars that can run 11.49 with minimal modification these days and they are perfectly safe doing so. Alot of people do not want to put a cage in their daily driven cars. I wish the tracks in the northeast would just look the other way like the tracks in Ohio do. If you live in Ohio you can run high 9s and low 9s all day without any safe equipment if you choose to.

 

Just like riding a sport bike, you never say today I'll wear my gear because I think its gonna be the day I crash.

 

I agree with you 94awdcoupe! Ride a motorcycle at any speed with no experience level but require a cage in a car at 11.49, makes no sense.

Glad the two drivers were OK, that's what is important.

 

now whats the common practice in a situation where you have a clean pass and the guy crosses the lane and ****s you up??

either physically or your car is damaged...

whos liable for what?

 

NHRA is a sanctioning body, but is also a business. They want to protect the drivers with safety equipment in the cars but are in a catch 22 in regards to motorcycles. The need to generate $$ lets the motorcycles race regardless. They should let the driver choose by signing a waiver because they turn their cheek if you die in a crash with safety equipment or not. Thats my opinion.

 

You sign a waiver before you enter any track..........

 

True but im talking a waiver that says I dont mind dying today.

 

11.49 is definately way too slow for a cage in my opinion as well. I just ordered a new helmet and fire jacket online last night because the Tech at Englishtown was giving a hard time about my "Modified" stock turbo......I should have just told him it was a stock turbo but I'm too honest sometimes.