I said the same thing back on page 2 before this got crazy...

I think thicker walled tubing would be the simple answer -- just go stronger if you are worried about the weight, not up the speeds/times that things are required...

that truck isn't too damaged for smacking two walls and flying thru the air landing and then being floored and catching an edge and making a barrel roll in the air (not rolling on the ground which is why the "roll cage" didn't get tested) and landed up against the pole..

I will stand by my original comment -- this is a knee jerk reaction to something that isn't that big a deal. Maybe its because I've seen worse as an insurance adjuster, but I bet his helmet wouldn't have gotten banged up so bad had it not had a cage to hit.. I think the BIGGER ISSUE should be do the tracks have adequate equipment to contain these trucks/vehicles that will be racing on their surfaces...

NHRA rules dictate the bar must be padded anywhere your helmet can hit. I go a bit further.

It goes without saying that if your 5-pt is comfortable, you need to tighten it. Ditto with helmet.

There really is some theory behind all this and Matt (big thumper) has made some charts to show it. While it's not the total answer is does show the amount of energy for the current 2008 cage and roll bar rules. These rules are for the same for all cars that compete in NHRA and IHRA. Doesn't matter the manufacture so they have cover all the air bags and crumple zones that cars are built for today. It needs to be noted that current production trucks do not comply with current car standards. The standards for trucks are much lower than cars. He has taken the weight and speed and made a easy to read and follow chart that shows the results. As anyone can see as the weight and speed change so does the point at which a cage and roll bar is needed. Look for post 260 in the following link to see his results.

In light of recent events. - Page 13 - Competition Diesel.Com - Bringing The BEST Together

A rollbar/cage is only effective if you roll the vehicle to begin with. Something that is not currently a problem. If you do not roll the vehicle, it actually puts the driver at a greater risk. Hence, rollbars should ONLY be used where there is a real threat of rollover. Hitting a guardrail and having your helmet bang the bar can cause serious injury even when padded.


What he didn't show was the yield point of a correctly constructed NHRA rollbar, or the yield point of the roof of a late model pickup.

Gary's truck did roll. The light pole is what stopped it from more than one revolution.

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

It doesn't Pat. What I am saying is the rules in that book were designed around passenger vehicles that typically weigh about half that our trucks do (I own an 06' 3500 Megacab).

And they have not altered the rulebook since the 60's? I thought there have been a few updates since, but I might be wrong. :humm:

The recent addition of racing higher weight diesel trucks is going to change the dynamics somehow. The insurance companies that cover the tracks are going to look at the trends and someone in risk management is going to figure it out without the help of any sanctioning body. A parallel example would be U-Haul and the Ford Explorer. You cannot rent a U-Haul trailer if you are going to tow it behind an Explorer. U-Hauls insurance prohibits it.

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

I'll try not to make that mistake. :U:

Thanks for the welcome.

Everyone claims the insurance companies, NHRA, and SFI are throwing a fit so we need to panic right now.

Exactly what (who) is making everyone think this is happening?

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

PS - If that track that had two guard rails and a light pole destroyed files an insurance claim to cover the damages, do you think the insurance company is going to demand rollbars?

1 Guy cant drive and now they want to tighten the regulations ? Theres risk in everything you do , Anal Retentive people is whats wrong with just about everything today

Must have Turn ups or Turn Downs and Drive Shaft Loops at the Sled now , How many Stock Diesel Trucks are going to have Drive Shaft loops on them , People just say screw it ... Hell I pulled my First sled when i was 13 in a field of 30 Trucks and i took 3rd

Yup. Perhaps if it was the racers, or the safety organizations, or even the insurance companies, I might understand their point of view.

No, these are just spectators who think they know what's best for everyone.

Heck, I can remember when you could rent a horse, or buy a 3-wheeled dirtbike, or ride in the bed of a pickup.

Sad to see what I thought were our peers caving into this nonsense.

If there looking for safety in any "Sport" then they need to realize that to some point participants and spectators do realize theres a certain amount of risk factor Leaving the Computer chair ,

I went to the trails Last Year to Watch Shockwave ,


Give me a break on Spectators at risk,, this thing could of killed everyone at the event ... Even the $8 a Slice Pizza guy ...well he sort or deserves it

I wonder what it weighs ?

Do you know Gary ? His experience level ? ANYTHING about the man to make that statement ?
I seem to recall more than one professional racer going through or over guardrails. Can they not drive either ?
Think before you type...BS like that just feeds the fire some people would like to keep burning.

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

You only wish you knew what's really going on. LOL
You don't know and quite honestly...I doubt you'll be told because of the way you spin things.