(3-20-10) - Safety is the No. 1 priority when racecars take to the track in the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards.
As a result, the sanctioning body, in combination with safety equipment manufacturers, do everything they can to ensure that drivers, crew members and fans are safe at every event. The ARCA Racing Series rulebook covers many topics in regard to protecting drivers and crew members. The regulations that drivers must adhere to before getting into the racecar and that crews have to follow to get the car through technical inspection are all pieces of the safety puzzle.
DRIVER SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
Driver safety equipment is the last line of defense for a driver in the event of a collision. The requirements and recommendations made by ARCA protect the driver from the impact, fire and debris that may result from a wreck. Here's a look at some of the equipment required and recommended for drivers:
Helmet:
Drivers are required to wear full-face drivers' helmets. Safety glasses, goggles or face shield are mandatory. Helmets, which are rated by the Snell Memorial Foundation for safety, protect the head from impact. Shields and glasses protect the driver's eyes from debris, shield the sun or glare and enhance vision.
Driver Attire:
Fire resistant driver suits must effectively cover the body from the neck to the ankles and wrists. Full coverage fire resistant underwear and full coverage fire resistant gloves and shoes are recommended. The fire-retardant material that composes driver suits, gloves and hats is instrumental in the protection of the driver. The fire-retardant properties cannot be washed or worn away and have varied ratings which protect the wearer for between three and 40 seconds of fire exposure. Fire resistant gloves protect the hands from burns and blisters, and fire resistant shoes protect the driver from the most common driver injury: burned feet from the heat of the motor.
Neck Restraint:
Drivers are required to use a safety neck brace/head and neck restraint system. A head and neck restraint system is to be used at all times by driver during any event (practice, qualifying and race). Head and neck restraint systems attach to the driver's helmet and are secured behind the driver's shoulders and safety belts. These systems prevent excessive movement of the head and neck during accidents, which might injure the neck or cause the head to collide with the steering wheel or roll bars.
CAR SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
The safety features and equipment in today's racecars make the driver safer, not just in the event of a wreck but also under race conditions.
Safety Belts:
All cars must have quick-release type belt assembly. ARCA highly recommends a 6-point or 7-point belt system. Belts may not be any older than two years and must be at least three inches wide. Safety belts in racecars serve a very similar purpose to those in street cars, but they look quite a bit different. The 6-point and 7-point harnesses include two shoulder straps, two waist straps, and either two straps between the legs, or a single strap between the legs and two straps on the top sides of the legs. The belts fasten in the center and keep the driver safely in the seat during races and impacts.
Window Net:
An ARCA approved nylon mesh net must be installed in the driver's side window opening. The net must be installed so that it is tight and must feature a quick release on at least one end. Window nets keep the driver and safety equipment inside the car while also preventing debris from entering the race car.
Fire Extinguisher
All cars must carry a fire extinguisher that is currently dated, equipped with a working gauge and securely strapped in a place within reach of the driver. This allows the driver to activate the fire extinguisher in the event of a cockpit fire. Additionally, automatic heat activated fire extinguishers are also placed in the rear of the car by the fuel cell to automatically expel the extinguishing chemical in event of fire.
RULES:
In addition to guidelines regarding safety equipment and racecar specs, the ARCA rulebook also has several rules meant to keep its competitors safe. Here is a selection of some of the rules that protect drivers, crew members, officials and fans on race weekends:
-No intoxicating substances may be consumed before or during race events by anyone entering the pit area.
-Each vehicle must be prepared to pass rigid safety committee inspection before it will be permitted to compete. ARCA has the right to inspect any vehicle at any time.
-Physical contact, abuse, assault or threat to do bodily injury by any competitor to any ARCA official, or persons serving under their orders, shall be subject to penalty and/or suspension.
-Conduct or actions detrimental to the sport, unsportsmanlike driving, fighting, or taking part in any demonstration which impedes the orderly process of an event shall be subject to penalty and/or suspension.
- The head or arm of any driver shall not extend outside the door of a closed body race car while driven in any event or on track.
-No race, time trial or practice shall start unless there is adequate safety and emergency equipment on the track premises.
-Only one person shall occupy a car at any time.
- At no time will non-competing members be allowed on or across track or infield, unless approved by an ARCA official.
-All Touring Series vehicles must have working 2-way radio communication and have a spotter in a designated area at all times a vehicle is on track. All spotters are to be equipped with a radio monitoring race control.
-Whenever it becomes dangerous, unsafe or impractical to continue a race within the discretion of the starter/race director, a race may be stopped.
The ARCA Racing Series uses these rules to make decisions with safety in mind, as they did when they ended the Tire Kingdom 150 presented by ModSpace five laps early due to heavy rain. In keeping safety the No. 1 priority, the ARCA Racing Series continues to monitor new safety equipment and policies. Although the ARCA Racing Series wants good, hard racing, they will always make sure that competitors, officials and fans are safe.
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