peterjank wrote:Joelle,
I did max out the electric wheelchair I had at 4.7mph

John,
I'll definitely drop by and say hi.

I don't believe that top end number, Peter. You got data to back that up?

Sort of off-topic, but as long as we're talking records.
http://www.dailysportscar.com/viewArticle.cfm?articleUID=358DD686-1143-FDC9-351AA7C9A6F67634
Glad Peter isn't going to get enough seat time to challenge.
BTW, Steve did break the record:
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/545133_10150989017581484_5064606_n.jpg

Bob Devol wrote:
I don't believe that top end number, Peter. You got data to back that up?

I knew I should have taken a picture The electric chair had a small 2x2 control screen that displayed mph. I'm not sure how accurate the calibration was, but I definitely saw 4.7 with the chair at max power in 4th "gear".

That reminds me of something
http://www.topgear.com/uk/video-search?Phrase=mobility&Urn=mobility-scooters-part-2-series-18-episode-4

Peter,
Since you experienced one of the biggest “whacks” a Spec Racer can take, could you share your perspective on how your safety equipment performed (seats/pads/belts/HANS……)? Would you change anything?

Thanks,
Brent

Hello Brent,

Let me start by describing the impact. I slid sideways into another SRF that was stopped on track immediately after the blind left-hander that follows the kink at Road America. The right side of my car struck the left rear of the other SRF, with my right shoulder directly in line with the left rear wheel of the other car.

I think the car and safety equipment held up very well, though we do plan to make some changes on the safety front. The two main changes will be adding padding around the framework that retains the steering bearing and replacing my fiberglass seat with a butler.

We think my legs were broken by making contact with the framework surrounding the steering bearing. There was no cockpit intrusion from the side impact I experienced, so it was surprising that both my legs ended up being broken just below the knee. The most likely culprit is that my legs swung back and forth during impact/rebound and made contact with the steering bearing support. I had no padding there prior to my accident. Padding might have prevented at least one of my broken legs.

Changing from the fiberglass seat to the butler should provide added protection for my ribs. I broke ten ribs total in the crash. The large side supports on the butler should help spread the load from side impacts much better then the low raised lip on the side of the fiberglass seat.

As for head and neck support, I am very grateful that we decided to install the butler head and shoulder restraint system on top of my fiberglass seat a few years ago. (Please see photo on far right at http://www.butlerbuilt.net/2010_Tree/pr ... S_kit.html) I firmly believe that the extra padding around the sides of my head saved my life and I highly recommend that any driver using a fiberglass seat buy and install this system. I was wearing a HANS and they are great for front and rear impacts. However, it was these pads that kept my neck from snapping sideways with the side impact I experienced.

Peter,
Thank you for the insight.

Brent

Excellent, thank you Peter.

Peter - agreed wholeheartedly. As someone who uses a fiberglass seat and has always wondered about it's safety properties at the edge, this post has my attention.

Thank you again.
Denny

Happy to help.