Is this the first safety cell?

[KG4]

Found this while surfing you tube.Check it out great interview with Chip Hanauerhttp://www.youtube.com./watch?v=yiLjIXGNqnQ

[KG4]

http://www.youtube.com./watch?v=yiLjIXGNqnQ

[sponsonhead]

Yes it is

The 1983 Atlas was the first unlimited with a reinforced cockpit and a restrained driver. Chip (and Jim Lucero) took a ton of heat for doing this, because everyone was convinced Chip would drown if the boat went over. Most of them didn't take into account the fact that the honeycomb boats floated better than a wood boat and less of a chance of sinking. In the end, they won the Gold Cup and the National Championship, stayed rightside up, and the cockpit was a success. The next year, Lucero built 3 more boats with cockpits like this.

And now, for our bonus round: Anybody recognize the guy doing the interview with Chip? It's Sam Cole, head honcho of today's ABRA.

R-19