Composite cockpit sides at work

[sponsonhead]

Updates

Ryan, I was just comparing the result of impact, not accident result - you're right, two different situations, and once you're in the water it's a whole other story.

As a side note, I can tell you that my DSH (which Kyle was driving) will be retrofitted with composite sides when we put it back together. I have already discussed materials with Ron Jones Jr.

I'm doing this not just because of safety concerns, but because that particular boat had shorter in height cockpit sides than the newer Karelsens. I figure we can update the boat AND offer a little more protection at the same time. Everything above the deck lines seems to be intact, so as gruesome as the deck and cockpit sides looked, the boat held up remarkably well: a testament to Ed Karelsen's craftsmanship and engineering.

R-19

[Howie Nichols]

Just an FYI, I was told this Revolution boat was made for a 225+ pound driver and it was made prior to the current Newton test standard. Most of the manufacturer's that submitted panels for the Newton test failed on their first submission and made subsequent panels that passed. The new current boats (Nov. 1, 2005 and newer) have the capsule standards in place of having to meet a certain Newton Strength test standard.

[Howie Nichols]

More info on the Revolution boat:

The driver weighed 240lb. and was unable to get out on his own because of his size. They brought the boat to shore and cut him out. The pic shown is after they cut him out. Biggest note however is that he walked away after. 240lbs MAYBE 5' 10"

[Al Peffley]

Safety Includes Driver Responsibilities

I am not against the new reinforced cockpits or any improvement of driver safety gear and clothes. I am against drivers who violate established safety rules & common respect for others' safety, and judges who tend to soften the rules for obvious driver agressiveness infractions in race driving incidents that are clearly irresponsible and unsafe. I hope that the UIM judges acted appropriately and fined/penalized the driver(s) who caused this unfortunate accident to escalate from a typical "bumping for position crash" into a T-bone assault on James and his stalled hydro.

The most dangerous boating accidents that I have witnessed in pro racing have involved blunt force trauma to a driver from being EJECTED at high speeds from the pro hydro (sometimes resulting in a broken neck), or insults to the driver's vital body parts from motors (especially props) and turn fins (outside and inside the boat). BTW - Those of you who have Yamato 102's or 302's should get rid of the timing arm bracket for your own good and others (it unbolts easy enough on the 102; I don't know how to eliminate it on the 302). We had one of our drivers injured in the neck by that adjustment arm a few years ago.

Our pro boat racing community could also benefit by working on: (1) reduction of violent, forced ejections from the boat's reinforced cockpit safety zone, and (2) better international separation rules, with stiff penalties for those who break the rules through unnecessary agressive driving or pure negligence... Get well James, I am saddened by the news of your injuries but glad to hear you survived the ordeal.

Al Peffley
R-25

[pops67g]

Safety is indeed a driver issue

Well said Al. Hasn't anyone else noticed how many more crashes there seem to be in Nascar racing? The more safety they build into the cars, the more chances drivers are willing to take. They feel indestuctable and they drive like it. Having the courage to get in a race boat doesn't mean you have to leave common sense behind on the shore. I know it's very unpopular to blame the person that gets hurt for being a major part of the blame in the crash, but it is often the truth. Many times I have seen guys go on their heads in a race boat because they tried to make it do something it was incapable of. Drive safe and there's a good chance you'll be safe.

[reed28n]

Cock pit sides

With all of the assumed risk cock pit side reienforcement will add a level of safety in certain situations. To the last posters point, I witnessed two 20SSH collisions that should have been avoided by drivers, this past weekend.

[SE23]

Speedracer024.........

Needs to get his or her facts straight before posting!!!!!! That pic of the Revolution in NOT from the wreck, its IS FROM the rescue crew CUTTING open the cockpit to get the driver out!!!!!!

[raceright]

Well said Al. Hasn't anyone else noticed how many more crashes there seem to be in Nascar racing? The more safety they build into the cars, the more chances drivers are willing to take. They feel indestuctable and they drive like it. Having the courage to get in a race boat doesn't mean you have to leave common sense behind on the shore. I know it's very unpopular to blame the person that gets hurt for being a major part of the blame in the crash, but it is often the truth. Many times I have seen guys go on their heads in a race boat because they tried to make it do something it was incapable of. Drive safe and there's a good chance you'll be safe.

Flipped this year and got hurt some,and was in a Top Hydro Capsule complete
boat is made of a mix of Carbon Fiber and Kevlar did not hurt the boat and raced it couple weeks later at the Pro Natl's. I could blame the driver of the boat that causes the hole I fell in or I could blame the sun for shining and me not seeing the hole but I was the one that got in the boat so I only have myself to blame (as you said person hurt is usaualy the blame I submit this is always the truth) Listen to the safety personal incharge the do know what they are talking about.

Pat Wright
Top Hydro
Because in the end there can only be one

[raceright]

Needs to get his or her facts straight before posting!!!!!! That pic of the Revolution in NOT from the wreck, its IS FROM the rescue crew CUTTING open the cockpit to get the driver out!!!!!!

Believe most Capsules are to small we made ours a wide body (weigh 215 )
The wid th does not hurt you as far as we can tell. If you strap in as recommended by Bob Wartinger wider boats are much more comfortable to drive.
Pat