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?

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

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?
>
>

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.

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.

> 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.

"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

"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....

"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?

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