This is getting ridiculous

[ERC]

Dave, no criticism of you at all. As Rhys points out, trying to get anything changed at the MSNZ Conference always sounds fine in theory, but when delegates of car clubs who don't have a single member racing, vote on issues they don't actually understand, you are never going to get common sense.

The discussion here is where a circuit has made up the rules and there are several who know that there is more to this than meets the eye.

Talking about exiting car which is on fire, I was given a track ride in Rob' B's Ferrari 430 fitted with a cage. It took me ages to get out and yes, many of us are not as lithe, flexible or athletic as we were 50 years ago... I couldn't even get out unaided - and that was without a helmet or any neck device. My personal opinion is that the driver should be able to get out of the car in a matter of just a few seconds as there is a far better chance of survival than being trapped in a tub of burning fuel, where we all know that help will NOT be there within 30 seconds in maybe 90% of cases.

[Allan]

Ran as co-driver in a Targa a few years back in a Celica GT4 and both of us (not that young or agile) wondered about getting out in a hurry in case of fire. It's amazing the incentive that flames licking out from the bonnet scoop provides.

[Andrew Metford]

Below is a link for a 2 day race meeting for a round to the State Championship in Perth, Australia in 2 weeks' time. Historic Touring Cars, Sports Sedans, Formula Ford, Regularity Trial are all on the bill a very similar style of meeting to Icebreaker etc. Take a look at the entry fees on page 3, and the Scrutineering part on pages 7 and 8, particularly part 5 Apparel on page 8. Have a read of the whole document, it makes for an interesting comparison to a corresponding document in NZ.

https://www.wascc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Supp-Regs-Sept-1516-v2.pdf

Now try and tell me we're not getting the short end of the stick here on 2 fronts - all the "compulsory" items ( FHR + suitable helmet + suitable seat, spill mats, fire truck in attendance to put petrol in your car, fireproof underwear, gloves, test tags on electrical equipment - the list goes on and on), and the costs ( entry fees, garage hire, safety levy etc).

[Oldfart]

A little further to the comment about seats with HR (halo). I have been speaking with the designer/conceptualiser. The HR wings are designed in such a way that they should not be forward of the eye sockets, so that 90 degree vision is available without turning the driver's head. If the "wings" are forward of that point with helmet worn, there is something not right. I'm guessing that very few people have peripheral vision to that extent, so it's inevitable that the driver will turn his head, thus the eye on that side would be behind the wing. Awareness of other cars should be from proper mirror use?
Escape from the car.. if the HR is an issue, perhaps there is an installation issue?

[John McKechnie]

Have just checked with the Super-Kart guys about the FHR
I was told that they are different because they dont have seat belts...so no FHR needed.
Only passing on what I was told

[Oldfart]

Have just checked with the Super-Kart guys about the FHR
I was told that they are different because they dont have seat belts...so no FHR needed.
Only passing on what I was told

I understand that many of them (don't know about super karts) use a chest mounted system for neck support, especially the younger drivers.