I just wanted to pass on my experience from last weekend. It was a bit of a wake-up call for me.
I try to run a safe car: Good cage, Hans, Fire system…etc. My safety stuff is worth more than my car, but I never really thought about a right side net.
I was qualifying at Beaver Run and turning some pretty good laps (less than a second off the record thank you very much). The car felt great and I was definitely pushing it. I lost it in turn 3 and went into the Armco hard. Destroyed two wheels, bent the rack, and probably the rear axle housing and put a nice Armco crease the entire length of the car. It didn’t really look like much but the problem was that I hit flat broadside on the right. There was nothing to absorb any of the hit, no crush at all.
My neck is pretty sore but it could have been much worse. Anyway, the moral of the story is: GET A RIGHT SIDE NET. They are cheap and if I can get going fast enough in an ITB car (in 3rd gear) to hurt myself, then it can happen to anyone.
Ok, speech over.