Safety in NASCAR

[PabloTeK]

Well, the elephant in the room has reared it's SAFER-covered head again at Daytona, and as such they're going to make changes at Atlanta for this weekend (if it doesn't become the Emma Maersk 500): http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/117806

I see commentators raving about SAFER being the best thing of all time and how everything should be daubed in it. However, I also remember seeing a video that stated that SAFER is designed for impacts that are somewhat glancing, something that Shrub's accident most definitely wasn't! I can't help but think TECPRO or several layers of stacked, bolted and belted tyres would be better? I'd rather something with some serious elasticity than a bit of steel with some polystyrene blocks and a concrete wall behind...

[MoMedic9019]

The types of protective barrier used are not universal, nor are the locations in which they are used.

Looking at where things are placed, the expected impact angle, terminal velocity, and types of vehicles expected to running on any given weekend are all determining factors to what is used, where it's used, and how. There is no single "best" system.

SAFER is suggested as a minimum in potential high speed impact areas, think of it as the base. It's not perfect, but, it's significantly better than just solid concrete, or k-rail backed by dirt. The small amount of energy transfer can be massive in reducing injury potential.

Tecpro is a phenomenal system for "catch and hold" areas, or shallow impact angles as it's soft, and doesn't allow for much rebound. The problem is, it's expensive, and requires multiple layers to work properly, or needs space behind the barrier to arrest a car.

Tires are, pretty much a gold standard, are cheap, and easy to install. They do have a bad rebound issue though. Unless you go straight in, banded or not, they "catch and spin" which can cause massive rotational shear forces on the driver. That, can lead to severe physical injury and death if the physiology, and impact speed and angle are right. They also can spit you back out into traffic causing further issue.

Long story short, it all needs to be evaluated.

[PabloTeK]

Originally Posted by MoMedic9019

The types of protective barrier used are not universal, nor are the locations in which they are used.

Looking at where things are placed, the expected impact angle, terminal velocity, and types of vehicles expected to running on any given weekend are all determining factors to what is used, where it's used, and how. There is no single "best" system.

SAFER is suggested as a minimum in potential high speed impact areas, think of it as the base. It's not perfect, but, it's significantly better than just solid concrete, or k-rail backed by dirt. The small amount of energy transfer can be massive in reducing injury potential.

Tecpro is a phenomenal system for "catch and hold" areas, or shallow impact angles as it's soft, and doesn't allow for much rebound. The problem is, it's expensive, and requires multiple layers to work properly, or needs space behind the barrier to arrest a car.

Tires are, pretty much a gold standard, are cheap, and easy to install. They do have a bad rebound issue though. Unless you go straight in, banded or not, they "catch and spin" which can cause massive rotational shear forces on the driver. That, can lead to severe physical injury and death if the physiology, and impact speed and angle are right. They also can spit you back out into traffic causing further issue.

Long story short, it all needs to be evaluated.

Very interesting and informative, thanks!

[JHamilton]

It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye.

[Axeman444]

or breaks their leg...