Disqualification, legal helmet colors

[HRTV]

The new woe is me hug a tree VOC compliant paints California legislators in their infinite wisdom, force upon all of us who use auto paints for any reason...Problem is, it must be coated with clear, and all those are solvent based, so, they really solved nothing as usual. Point being, VOC compliant paints, House of color neons, pearls, and most auto paints in todays standard, won't hurt what they are blown over. Old school yep, the reducers would eat into the helmet shell.

Where in the hell are you going with this now, California legislators for the love of God man just paint the darn thing and be done with it!

[forshey99]

painting, more than the finish

I realize that the bases/clears used in most of today's finishes are going to fine, but as Russ mentioned caution does have to be given.

There is more to repainting a helmet than the finish. Most quality helmet paint jobs require some level of disassembly and re assembly which can create the issue of adhesive compatibility. If seals, trim rings, vents, etc. are reassembled using improper adhesive the helmet shell can be compromised, Not to mention improper re-assembly altogether by someone who lacks experience. Just because a guy can wield an HVLP gun doesn't mean he knows item 1 about helmets.

Why are helmets treated with such disregard or lack of consideration for the details? This is probably the single most important item in your trailer.

It's not meant to be rolling around in your boat when you dolly to/from the water. It's not intended to sit against your clamp brackets for the ride home. it's your helmet, it protects your head. Which akin to your spinal cord is one of the few things modern medicine can't do much to fix. This is a serious issue, not one that should be simply dismissed. May luck be on the side of anyone who writes this off as BS, hopefully you will never need to use your helmet to its full capability.


And as for avoiding buoys...agree.
But when the time comes and it is inevitable that you will collide with one of 2 round orange objects floating just ahead, are you confident you'll know which one to pick?

[14-H]

***
Why are helmets treated with such disregard or lack of consideration for the details? This is probably the single most important item in your trailer.

***

***?

I paint my helmet and so you will not find mine rolling around in a boat, sitting out in the sun or on the ground and the only scratches on it are from BSR races. The painting of the helmet, at least in my situation, leads to more care of this piece of equipment affectionately called: the brain bucket!

BTW: Joel: you are wrong. There is no green on my helmet at all. Only red and yellow, per the rules! Eddie.

[Fast Jack]

Ask George

George Stillwill has got the best solution. Go get a helmet that fits. spend what you want to spend -- ie $ 10.00 head ---get a $ 10.00 helmet. put a orange watch cap over it and go race!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sam]

I'm not sure George's cap on a helmet is really legal. I'm really afraid if he ever falls out of his boat the cap will fall off the helmet and he will not be visible. I think the rule book says helmets must be painted one of the specified colors.

[aojesus]

A. Helmets must meet the specifications set forth by any of the following: Department of Transportation, American National Standards Institute, Inc., Snell, or military specification helmet designed for military aircraft — Mil-Spec helmets (CGF LA100, LH050, LH150, LH250; Gentex HGU84P) and Peltor helmets (Rally Pro Helmet EN ECU 04 or 05) are acceptable.
1) For a participant who is restrained in the cockpit, it is recommended that a majority of the helmet be painted with a fluorescent red, yellow or orange; or international orange. There is no specified area, but the helmets must be of a bright color so as to be clearly visible in the water.
2) For a participant who races unrestrained in an open cockpit, the upper fifty percent (50%) of the helmet must be fluorescent red, yellow or orange; or International Orange.

I have seen a few of the ones that have a design using the legal colors and to my eyes they show up better than solid colors and are easier to distinguish from bouys.

[Dave M]

Jack is the Man

Jack said it best, "KISS"

Y'all have to much time on your hands to debate this issue. The rule we have is adequate. Room for improvment, yes, make it Snell Rating once again. If someone buys a helmet that does not fit right...... does this actually happen or is it just a possibility ? We need to give some credit to the racers once in a while and not jumble the rule book with so much tissue paper that it clogs the drain. Instead of writing new rules why don't we enforce the ones we already have ? If you are an inspector you should check over the fit and make a reccomendation if you see improper fit. Same goes for any racer who notices this.... common sense guys. Lets stop the madness of trying to cover every possible scientific Mythbusted or not incident that could possibly happen. Think Macro not Micro.

[forshey99]

Seriously?

Dave, you must be kidding....right?
"Think Macro"....about safety?

There is nothing simple about head/spinal injuries.....absolutely nothing. There is also absolutely nothing we can do to eliminate this risk. We play a dangerous game. But that is certainly no reason we should not try to minimize the risk to our fullest capabilities. This is not rocket science so to speak. There is data out there. We just have to take the time to re-evaluate our rules and make sure we are not restricting safety for the sake of KISS....Keeping It Simple is Stupid.

Our rules need re-written for allowance not restriction. Don't worry, you can keep filing gear cases all night. Your helmet/colors will still be legal.

Fear change....


Nate

[Dave M]

99

If I gotta change ONE more freaking thing in my boats, or gear......................... good gawd. First rounded sponsons, kevlar sides, impact in lifejackets, now brain buckets...................................

Here is a suggestion, Mandate Capsules for all Stock and Mod classes, period.

I am somewhat serious on the KISS theory Nate. I think what we have works. If a person is not responsible enough to take care of him or her self then let someone speak up and enforce what we already have. We have so many rules now that are not enforced why add another ? You already have new people wondering what the hell does the rule mean....... that poses a problem in my book.

Can you re-write the rules to be safe and simple ? Then do it, submit it and present it at the Nat Meeting. Just stop adding rules for the sake of saftey.......

While I agree we need to continue with due diligence in regards to saftey, I think the approach needs to be different. Saftey is not complicated, don't over react from a single incident, and don't over complicate the rules.

[forshey99]

now I've heard it all

"Just stop adding rules for the sake of saftey......."

That is really the best post on this topic I've ever seen. I apologize for adding rules for the sake of safety. I'll get back to proposing rules so a 200 year old Merc Wizard can still run in BMod. That's definitely a better use of time and resources.

Re-read the entire post next time. I'm not advocating the addition of any rules. I'm in favor of changing our rules so as to open the possibility for increased safety. As it is written, our rule is too restrictive failing to consider all the factors at play.

You don't even know what you don't know in this arena.

Nate

[14-H]

"Just stop adding rules for the sake of saftey......."

*** I apologize for adding rules for the sake of safety. I'll get back to proposing rules so a 200 year old Merc Wizard can still run in BMod. That's definitely a better use of time and resources.

***
Nate

Or how about re-naming the Mod classes so that no one knows what the hell is going on? That's much more important than updating the helmet rules to current technology! Eddie.

[HRTV]

Gee you guys didn't even wait for the winter break to start this crap oh well... have at it Im staying out of this one. How about Ted Kennedy last night at the DNC not bad for a guy suffering from brain cancer

[DiGia54D]

Well as for the renamed MOD Classes. At the Divisionals I was asked by a spectator why 500cc mod hydro was going so much slower then the 250cc pro hydro. I laughed and said we were told it would be easier to understand.

[Jack Stotts]

Ed, you are right on the mark. The class names now mean nothing to anyone. The registration folk, judges stand and drivers are confused with the new names. The change has contributed nothing. If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It.

[RICK BIRD]

ed, You Are Right On The Mark. The Class Names Now Mean Nothing To Anyone. The Registration Folk, Judges Stand And Drivers Are Confused With The New Names. The Change Has Contributed Nothing. If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It.

Well I Said It Before. The Mod Drivers Are The Ones Who Voted On It So I Guess You All Need To Vote It Back. And If You Dont Vote You Can Not Gripe.