Part I
I'm not going to mention cars or drivers because that's not important, safety is.
After witnessing 2 fires in 2 weeks I recommend that the power supply for fuel pumps should be supplied from the factory fuel pump relay that is controlled by the ECU that turns off fuel if the ECU does not see a signal for more than 2 seconds.
Both cars had the fuel pumps hard wired to a switch on the dash and the power was left on after the wreck. Both wrecks caused a fuel leak. Because the pumps kept running it wasn't a small leak but a large gush, which causes large spectacular fires. Fortunately NO ONE was injured.
Part II
This is a tough one. Manditory fire systems. I hate the fire exstinguishers that were designed for your mom's kitchen and will barely stay attatched to the wall in the kitchen let alone inside a flipping race car. I once watched a car flip and land on it's top like a turtle. The car was rolled over and the fire exstinguisher was found under the car on the track stuck in the clay. What good does that kitchen fire system do when it's bouncing around like a missile? I know that some people want to get out of their car and exstinguish someone elses fire. Nice thoughtful guy, but that's the safety worker and corner workers job. If you don't trust them, don't race at that track.
Fire systems. Don't like the water based ones. Ever pick up a damp dish rag and grab a hot pan? (I'm getting hungry, can you tell) Steam burns hurt. A wet system may cause steam burns. Even if you have a fire system the driver must remove both pins before going out on the track so it will work when you pull the cable. Also dirt track cars are washed a few times a season. The cable for the fire system must be checked and lubed a couple of times a year. The cable will sieze if it is ignored. Pulling on a fire cable that doen't move has to be exciting. That's not the kind of excitement we signed up for when we go racing.
These are just ideas. They should be considered and refined by club offcials. Have fun and keep it safe.
Peter D
I'm not going to mention cars or drivers because that's not important, safety is.
After witnessing 2 fires in 2 weeks I recommend that the power supply for fuel pumps should be supplied from the factory fuel pump relay that is controlled by the ECU that turns off fuel if the ECU does not see a signal for more than 2 seconds.
Both cars had the fuel pumps hard wired to a switch on the dash and the power was left on after the wreck. Both wrecks caused a fuel leak. Because the pumps kept running it wasn't a small leak but a large gush, which causes large spectacular fires. Fortunately NO ONE was injured.
Part II
This is a tough one. Manditory fire systems. I hate the fire exstinguishers that were designed for your mom's kitchen and will barely stay attatched to the wall in the kitchen let alone inside a flipping race car. I once watched a car flip and land on it's top like a turtle. The car was rolled over and the fire exstinguisher was found under the car on the track stuck in the clay. What good does that kitchen fire system do when it's bouncing around like a missile? I know that some people want to get out of their car and exstinguish someone elses fire. Nice thoughtful guy, but that's the safety worker and corner workers job. If you don't trust them, don't race at that track.
Fire systems. Don't like the water based ones. Ever pick up a damp dish rag and grab a hot pan? (I'm getting hungry, can you tell) Steam burns hurt. A wet system may cause steam burns. Even if you have a fire system the driver must remove both pins before going out on the track so it will work when you pull the cable. Also dirt track cars are washed a few times a season. The cable for the fire system must be checked and lubed a couple of times a year. The cable will sieze if it is ignored. Pulling on a fire cable that doen't move has to be exciting. That's not the kind of excitement we signed up for when we go racing.
These are just ideas. They should be considered and refined by club offcials. Have fun and keep it safe.
Peter D
