First Racing School - Need some help

I'm surprised no one else has offered this advice yet: between now and the school, do everything you can to be in the best shape possible. This will be a very physically and mentally exhausting experience. The better shape you are in, the better it will go.

 

if you're in a closed cockpit i'd assume a open face with a balaclava and goggles would do
but in a open car you'll want a full face.
taking a hunk of hot klag to the face is quite distracting.
don't forget neck support of some kind.

 

+1

 

The Skip Barber 3 day school was probably the most intensive 3 days I've ever spent doing anything. Much more mentally exhausting than I could have imagined. Do NOT plan any nightlife during your trip - you won't have the energy.

 

Thanks for the input. As I mentioned earlier, I have all the gear heading my way - suit, undies, socks, shoes, gloves, balaclava, and a helmet. I decided to hold off on a baller helmet until the 2015 helmets come out this fall, so I bought a cheapo that isn't pre-drilled for the HANS - hopefully not a major mistake as only one person recommended the HANS.

I'm in good shape, but good to know it will be advantageous.

We are staying close the track (away from the French Quarter) to keep nightlife at bay, but we are staying downtown an extra night to wind down after the school. Any places we must visit - never been to NOLA?

 

I agree on the night life piece, I was exhausted each night...

 

^^This^^

 

My opinion (251 days at the track, working or racing, in 2015) is that the HANS is a very good thing to have. But you can add it on cheapos that aren't predrilled.

You will be holding off on the baller helmet for awhile, as the Snell specs won't be released until October 2015 and it can be up to a year after that that the top line helmet manufacturers are tooled up.

I love my SAH2010 Stand 21 IVOS. I have a Bell Dominator 2 and the duckbill and wicker REALLY help in the open car...

 

I want to be ProCoach when I grow up

 

Great advise - thanks. Appreciate the info on the helmets as I may augment/upgrade mine in the next year.

I added a HANS before this course also. Install is not that bad; and a local race shop could do it if you are not comfortable in an hour or less.

Couple questions since you have so much wheel time! : )

Is there a trick to not getting your balaclava to leave dents in your head at the seams? Can I tweak the helmet safely to allow a little extra room? Helmet fits correctly (Bell Sport); next size up is too large. Puts pressure directly in the middle of my forehead. Going to try a softer balaclava (in the mail) but not convinced that will help since the seams are the issue.

How do you manage fog? I'm not use to having the shield closed in touring cars; fog is pretty constant on the simulator I have set up (minor airflow to helmet). I ordered an anti-fog kit and an breath deflector - in the mail. On the right track? Any other tricks?

What about the helmet spoilers - small vs large. Worth adding for the Formula Skip Barber?

I'm trying to make it into the IndyCar Academy shoot-out in December, so I actually care about the details!

: )

 

Having already gotten one free helicopter ride and gotten to spend ten weeks in a halo vest, I won't get into a race car without a HANS device. The guy above writing about "neck support" and "goggles" seems like a nice guy who doesn't really have any serious or direct experience with racing cars.

Everyone understands that this is dangerous. The only thing people are going to think when they see you strap in with your HANS is "I wish I had one of those..."

 

Huh? Am I missing something? He said closed face helmet and effectively said HANS device by suggesting neck support...

Seems strange you called him out... did you read his post?

 

Neck support is not a HANS device; just a foam ring around your neck. Two separate things. Neck support will not stop the fatal injury that a HANS device will. I don't see any modern racers in neck support.

There is a newer hybrid HANS-like that I saw that also addresses side impact, where HANS is only focused on frontal if I'm not mistaken.

 

How is the Stand21 holding up? I had a Stand21 and stuff just fell off it. Stand21 is top market but French. Not exactly known for attention to details. OTOH my carbon fiber top of the line Simpson unit is on it's 5th yr and flawless with a china origin of manufacture. I'm waiting for the SA2015's to be fully available.

 

turn it inside out

Anti-fog treatment, tiny balls of racer tape wedged in bottom.

Not worth bothering for the speeds you will be doing.

 

Ha - but my dope logo will not show ; ) JK - thanks. The helmet has a tiny layer of soft foam in the front. I was able to remove some of this. It was basically rotten almost anyway from use so far. Probably bought myself a mm; no loss of comfort.

Yes! Had no idea about the tape - thanks.

Figured! Thanks! Seems like this is a drafting and position game to the end of the race, so more drag would be bad.

 

Disclaimer: I work for HANS Performance Products, inventors of the HANS Device. Thank you for the opportunity of posting in this forum.

There is some misinformation upthread about side impacts and Frontal Head Restraints. Please allow me to furnish our latest information on this.

FRONTAL HEAD RESTRAINTS AND SIDE IMPACTS

1. All FIA and SFI certified frontal head restraints offer protection from zero to 30 degrees offset. No FHR provides complete protection in side impacts beyond 30 degrees. For complete side impact protection head surrounds, full containment seats or side nets should be your primary means of protection.

2. What defines side impact? If you mean someone hitting your door at 90 degrees but the manufacturer means slightly offset from head on you are not talking about the same thing and you may not receive the level of protection you expect.

3. Anecdotal evidence shows lateral head surrounds, full containment seats or side nets must be used to provide protection from side impacts; while your frontal head restraint provides protection from zero to thirty degree offset impacts.

4. The Simpson 360 degree approach to cockpit safety - harness, helmet, suit, seat, nets and head restraint has been proven to provide exceptional levels of safety in your race car.

You can find both the Simpson Hybrid and HANS FHRs on the Simpson website:
NASCAR Safety | Simpson | Car Racing Safety Belts, Restraints

Please contact me directly if you need any further information. Thank you,

Gary Milgrom
VP, HANS Performance
gmilgrom (at) teamsimpson (dot) com

 

Think equipment has been well covered.

Best single piece of advice I got prior to Skippy. - Don't try to drive fast. Seriously. Work on the fundamentals, you will go fast without trying when you are smooth. It seems simple until you actually get behind the wheel, then stuff starts happening fast, real fast.

Next best piece of advice. - Keep your eyes up, sounds dumb, I know. Work on looking down the track as far as possible - think about it like this, where you are right now is insignificant to where you are going to be in the next couple seconds.

Drink plenty, rest up, get in shape.
Oh yeah, prepare for the addiction, it hits hard.

 

I know what HANS is but you do realize the acronym is "head and neck support device"... dont see why the attitude directed at another poster who was advocating for closed face helmet and suggested neck support (whether meaning hans or not...)

 

Perhaps it was the way he phrased it.

For instance. No one wears goggles unless they are trying to wear original clothing in a vintage race.

He doesn't clarify neck support. A new racer will have no idea.

As to people's response. Eh it's the Internet. I'm sure he can defend himself if he is so offended that someone doesn't like form and substance of his advice.

 

Just get and wear a HANS but only with a full harness.

 

Just a note that foam collars are for comfort, not safety. They do nothing in an impact, some think their added mass makes things worse. Remember it's only a few grams but multiplied by the impact g's things can add up. Here's a British study showing their lack of any measurable utility.
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Welcome Gary Milgrom a heavy hitter with HANS

 

Cool to have the HANS guys here!

Just bought a HANS 3 - nice product and price point.

 

Alright, I decided to get a H&N restraint system. Now I can't decide whether to go with the HANS or Simpson's Hybrid. Both devices are owned by Simpson, so they have little reason to suggest one over the other, but the guy I spoke with steered me towards the Hybrid. Both devices have the same safety provisions, but the Hybrid is supposedly easier to use and more versatile if you have different cars (although they do have an adjustable HANS). Also noted that some people feel the HANS digs into your clavicles - especially for skinny, boney people like me. Opinions???? Also, other than weight, are there any benefits to the more expensive models? I need to order this today (getting a Simpson helmet too) so quick responses and feedback are appreciated.