April Grassroots article

[Matt93SE]

I've been making it a point to run DEs with my visor down and 3-layer suit more. It's a motha to do that in the 100+ heat in Texas, but that article definitely makes 30 min of sweating seem like a good compromise.
The chances of a blown engine and car fire are nearly the same whether you're at a DE or in the middle of a race, so it only makes sense to wear full safety gear.

[Marcus Miller]

Yeah. you guys should been there.... the car, the fireball, the tears from the crew were all too real.

Wear your nomex boys and girls...

[rsportvolvo]

Didn't folks learn from Dale Jr's ALMS Corvette fire at Sonoma in 2004? If I recall correctly he wasn't wearing a balaclava and was burned pretty good.

[Knestis]

Didn't folks learn from Dale Jr's ALMS Corvette fire at Sonoma in 2004? If I recall correctly he wasn't wearing a balaclava and was burned pretty good.

The story as I understood it was that he wasn't wearing long johns and burned his naughty bits a bit...

K

[rsportvolvo]

He was burned in multiple areas. I guess I wasn't as interested in the "naughty bits" as Kirk was.

Here's a write up on it:

http://www.nascar.com/2004/news/head...ety/index.html

[BruceG]

Interesting that with the number of crashes in NASCAR, many of the drivers choose not to wear nomex underwear or balaclavas.

[rcc85]

Considering the number of crashes in NASCAR and the small number of fires, I wonder if those guys don't take the threat of fire seriously anymore.

I read the article today at lunch and two things struck me:

1) I need to practice getting out of the car with my eyes closed (I think the NHRA has a test for funny car drivers that requires them to locate the parachute and fuel shut-off with their eyes closed) and

2) A hand-held fire extinguisher (which I have) isn't much good if you are on fire and still driving the car!!

Bob Clifton
#05 ITB Dodge Daytona