[Wichita-SCCA] New Dallas race track

[Barr, Roger A]

Actually, the current Kart sanctioning bodies don't really require fire
protection (that I could find), but abrasion protection, and they allow
kids to start racing at age 5 if a parent signs a waiver.  SCCA doesn't
support the 5-7 year olds (probably because they're too slow), and
insists that a passenger at an autocross be at least 12 (or was that
13?).  Furthermore, I need a minor waiver for anyone under 18 to even
ride along on a TSD rally, signed by both parents and witnessed by a
notary or an SCCA member.  Sounds simple enough, but this presents a
real hassle to some people (including me.)  
 
Yeah, I think the SCCA is a little gun shy, but then again I wouldn't
say that it's a major cause for people to go elsewhere.  

________________________________

From: Brian Meyer [mailto:brian at fiberdynamics.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 11:34 AM
To: Greg Laws; Wichita Region SCCA.
Subject: Re: [Wichita-SCCA] New Dallas race track


In theory there should typically be more people running Track Days since
the car prep requirements are not as demanding.  It's great to be able
to take your daily driver out on a real race track and run it for all
it's got in a safe and legal way.  Sanctioned wheel-to-wheel racing
involves getting a license and building a car that you're willing to
walk away from so the cost of entry is a little higher than it is for
Track Days.
 
My opinion is the reason road racing isn't as popular around here is
simply because we don't have a local track anymore.  Ask people about
racing in Tulsa and most folks have at least heard about Hallett.  Same
with HPT and Topeka/KC.  Nearly everyone I talk to around here about the
SCCA (who isn't otherwise associated with it) will refer to the races at
Lake Afton.
 
Instead, we've got circle tracks galore in Kansas.  When I was a
teenager I ran on the dirt tracks at Salina Speedway and knew of three
drag strips that buddies and relatives ran at.  Around here if someone
talks about racing the assumption is it's on the dirt at 81 Speedway and
probably in a late model or Cruiser car.
 
Now regarding the SCCA safety requirements, I don't think they're
excessive at all.  When you go racing, and I mean real wheel-to-wheel
racing - not track days - you're increasing the risk level way up from
what manufactures design their cars for.  You've got people running
their cars at the limit of control, fighting for position which often
involves contact, and then when crashes happen (not if) you'd better
believe those cages and safety systems come into play.  Go browse some
in-car crash footage on YouTube and you'll see what I mean.  I remember
seeing several incidents where a Miata ended up ON TOP of another one.
Wouldn't want to do that without a cage.
 
I've only worked at a couple of races but I've seen enough to appreciate
the safety requirements and the need for corner workers.  I've also seen
enough incidents at Solos to appreciate the runoff distances used there
as well.  Just last weekend we had a car spin in a slalom going parallel
with a curbed edge that used up most of the runoff space and stopped at
least 10 feet away from the curb.  That was a worst case example too -
heavy car on narrow street tires with lots of power looped it and no
harm done.  I've been at other events where similar situations yielded
different results including broken parts.
 
Safety rules are developed as lessons learned when bad things happen.
Fire suites for mostly stock cars are there because even now a mostly
stock car could catch on fire if it's in a crash and if it does a fire
suit offers "some" protection, certainly more than not having one at
all.  Ask any burn victim if they wish they could have had some nomex to
reduce the magnitude of their injury and I think you'll find a common
answer.  The rules for karts were adopted from the karting sanctioning
bodies but I still agree with them.  You've got a fuel container between
your legs and you're surrounded by an ignition source on your right side
and back.  Seems stupid to me to not wear a fire suit.
 
Yeah sure you can find other organizations that will let you run with no
safety equipment at all and no workers.  As long as you're willing to
take that risk then it may cost less too.  However, the SCCA has been
around longer than anyone else and therefore have the most experience
dealing with incidents when things go wrong.  I'd trust their judgment
above my own in matters of safety.
 
-Brian
p.s. the ambulance at HPT is stupid but it's not a SCCA requirement
 


________________________________

From: wichita-scca-bounces at wichitascca.org
[mailto:wichita-scca-bounces at wichitascca.org] On Behalf Of Greg Laws
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:23 AM
To: Wichita Region SCCA.
Subject: Re: [Wichita-SCCA] New Dallas race track


If you look at Hallet's schedule, the money is not in holding sanctioned
events, it's catering to the enthusiast that wants to drive their car or
motorcycle on a track without the hassle or expense.

	 
	Patrick

Interesting.  As a further note in that direction, a friend of mine from
Florida says that he knows of at least one new and rather exclusive
residential development being built around a private road course that
winds through scenic hills.  The purpose-built road course is the
attraction although the development also has its own private air field
too.  It seems that the rich folks who buy high performance, world-class
cars are becoming frustrated with the national speed limits and
resulting hassles if they want to play with their toys at speed.  Makes
sense.  I'll bet that they don't worry too much about having fire suits,
helmets, or corner workers either.  That makes sense too.  
 
I think that one of SCCA's many problems is a pathological insistence
upon safety overkill when dealing with stock automobiles or Karts..  Who
needs the hassle?  Put on a helmet?  Sure, no problem.  Use the factory
seat belts?  Of course.  Other than that however I'd let them go play as
they wish.  When was the last time that a stock vehicle running at a
race track caught on fire in such a way as to endanger the driver?  Fire
suits in Showroom Stock?  Why?  An ambulance required for Solo events at
Heartland?  Why?  Intrusive buffer distances required at a solo for
safety such as 75' to a chain link fence?  Why?  Full fire suits for
kids in 8 hp karts or adults in shifter karts when a leather jacket and
gloves would do just fine?  Why?  
 
Modern cars and karts are vastly safer than ever before.  We should be
able to cut ourselves a bit more slack because of that fact.
 
Enjoy,
Greg Laws
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