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Safety Theory: Airbags: Why doesn't NASCAR use airbags?
Or for that fact any automobile racing that I've heard of to date.
With so many conflicting stories about airbags, I'm feeling very confused. Any automotive engineers out there that have a scientific answer? |
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Safety Theory: Airbags: Why doesn't NASCAR use airbags?
IANAAE, but I have an idea its because the restraints are so good at
restraining movement that the driver can't smash his head/chest against the steering column. Especially true when the HANS device is used. If an impact is severe enough that the driver will contact the steering wheel/column/dashboard, the airbag isn't going to help. Now a side airbag for a side collision, that seems like it might do some good- especially since NASCAR drivers don't sit in the middle, and aren't surrounded by crushable plastic/foam like an F1 driver. have to wait to hear from an automotive engineer on that one. Dave |
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Safety Theory: Airbags: Why doesn't NASCAR use airbags?
Mainly because the drivers are pretty well locked into place with restraint systems and seats that offer infinitely better protection than air bags.. Also, there are, routinely, hits on the track that do not disable the car, but would set off the air bags. wrote in article . com>... > Or for that fact any automobile racing that I've heard of to date. > > With so many conflicting stories about airbags, I'm feeling very > confused. Any automotive engineers out there that have a scientific > answer? > > |
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Safety Theory: Airbags: Why doesn't NASCAR use airbags?
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Safety Theory: Airbags: Why doesn't NASCAR use airbags?
Steve wrote:
> wrote: > >> Or for that fact any automobile racing that I've heard of to date. > > > Because with full 5-point harnesses and HANS devices, a driver couldn't > possibly move forward far enough to touch the airbag even if it were there. > > Airbags are a SECONDARY restraint system for 3-point safety belts that > don't even lock the shoulder belt under normal driving conditions. A > real 5-point restraint would render the airbag superfluous in any vehicle. not only that, but what about multiple impacts? A lot of racing wrecks you hit the wall, spin, and get whacked again (or multiple times if you're really lucky) before finally stopping. And, are you going to repack the airbag before heading back onto the track after a wreck that doesn't total the car but just damages the sheetmetal and sets off the airbag? You're not winning the race if you're swapping airbags in the pits. A set of racing belts is peanuts compared to the cost of airbags. |
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Safety Theory: Airbags: Why doesn't NASCAR use airbags?
> wrote in message ups.com... > Or for that fact any automobile racing that I've heard of to date. > > With so many conflicting stories about airbags, I'm feeling very > confused. Any automotive engineers out there that have a scientific > answer? A better question might be; since the seat belts in race cars work so well why not use them in street cars instead of airbags. |
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Safety Theory: Airbags: Why doesn't NASCAR use airbags?
"Chas Hurst" > wrote in message ... > A better question might be; since the seat belts in race cars work so well > why not use them in street cars instead of airbags. Why not just use the seat belts already in the cars. Ed |
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Safety Theory: Airbags: Why doesn't NASCAR use airbags?
"Chas Hurst" > wrote in message ... > > > wrote in message > ups.com... >> Or for that fact any automobile racing that I've heard of to date. >> >> With so many conflicting stories about airbags, I'm feeling very >> confused. Any automotive engineers out there that have a scientific >> answer? > > A better question might be; since the seat belts in race cars work so well > why not use them in street cars instead of airbags. > Because 5-point racing harnesses are not well-suited for daily driving. Yes they are much more effective, but due to the greater effort required to put them on, most people (including those reading this) wouldn't bother. Current 3-point belts are much more convenient, and also, we're not hitting walls at 170 mph.... |
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Safety Theory: Airbags: Why doesn't NASCAR use airbags?
"C. E. White" > wrote in message nk.net... > > "Chas Hurst" > wrote in message > ... > > A better question might be; since the seat belts in race cars work so well > > why not use them in street cars instead of airbags. > > Why not just use the seat belts already in the cars. > > Ed Indeed, most of us do. So why the airbags? |
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Safety Theory: Airbags: Why doesn't NASCAR use airbags?
Bob M. wrote:
> "Chas Hurst" > wrote in message > ... > > wrote in message roups.com... >> >>>Or for that fact any automobile racing that I've heard of to date. >>> >>>With so many conflicting stories about airbags, I'm feeling very >>>confused. Any automotive engineers out there that have a scientific >>>answer? >> >>A better question might be; since the seat belts in race cars work so well >>why not use them in street cars instead of airbags. >> > > > Because 5-point racing harnesses are not well-suited for daily driving. Yes > they are much more effective, but due to the greater effort required to put > them on, most people (including those reading this) wouldn't bother. > Current 3-point belts are much more convenient, and also, we're not hitting > walls at 170 mph.... > > this conversation got me wondering -> Does anyone replace their seatbelts after a minor/major collision? (Street car) race belts are date coded, and often have a 2 year lifespan. and yeah, when you're buckled in with a harness, you're BUCKLED in. Not only can you not reach your CD player, but you're gonna wrinkle your suit. I'm also kind of surprised that Vettes, Vipers, etc... don't come with anything better than a 3 point belt. Heck, my Trans Am can do 160 and it only has 3 point belts and an airbomb. I'm not even sure if the NHRA would allow you to run a new Z06 Vette at the dragstrip in stock config. I guess maybe because the fastest you can legally drive a Vette in the USA is 80mph? Ray |
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