Danger is always present in auto racing. Race car drivers recognize danger and take steps to reduce risks. In addition to staying alert, drivers make sure their race cars are equipped with various safety devices. For the upcoming auto racing season, this is how you prepare for safety in the Acura Integra. The principles underlying safety preparation can also be applied to other race cars.
Structure
The car already has a well-built 8-point welded roll cage from The ROLLCAGEGUY in Akron Ohio. I plan to add a few more bars and reinforcements before next season because I never feel confident enough. The bars will also serve to add some structural rigidity to the chassis. The driver’s side features NASCAR-style door bars that extend into the door cavity close to the outer skin. The original factory door beams are still in place. NASA allows removal of factory door beams if NASCAR-style beams are installed with the cage. My personal opinion is that the factory beams should be left in place, at least on the driver’s side.
The material used for the beams at the Integra factory is several times stronger than the mild steel pipe used in most amateur race car roll cages and according to Vehicle Safety Regulation 214 Federal motorized vehicle during the first 18 inches of deformation when crushed with a 12-inch diameter steel ram. If you remove the beam from the door, you are left with a sheet metal casing typically constructed of steel less than a millimeter thick and which will provide essentially no crush resistance.
The other structural element that I have seen to be the target for weight removal on some Integras and Civics is the side center pillar reinforcement. This is a large steel brace that bolts to the rear seat cross member and extends to the base of the center pillar (just below where the factory front row seat belt retractors mount). I’m not sure if NASA rules explicitly allow removal of these parts. The gussets serve to reinforce and anchor the pillar base and provide a substantial amount of crush resistance to the side of the vehicle during an impact. They should never be removed under any circumstances.
Fire
I will be installing a Safecraft fire system this winter. Hand-held fire extinguishers are legal, but you’d rather not have to fumble to open and point an extinguisher in the event of a fire. It is much easier to pull the release handle. The system uses Halon 1301, which is toxic if inhaled, but leaves no residue when deployed. Hopefully I never have to use it.
Seat
I am currently using the aluminum road racing seat from HRP Racing Products. It is essentially a Kirky deluxe road racing seat with the HRP logo and a fire resistant cover. It’s a good seat, but NASA’s rule changes in 2007 require the use of a headrest seat and / or a headrest net (right-side containment net). I could have stuck with the seat and just added the net, but I like the combination of the headrest seat and the net and I feel like it will provide the best level of safety.
I purchased a Racetech RT-4009WTHR seat with headrest and its Viper side net through Harrison Motorsports. This model has provisions for a backrest, which is unusual for a composite seat. We will add an article later that describes the seat installation process.
Restricted / Harness
I am currently using a 6 point Schroth with quick release latch. It is FIA approved so it only has to be replaced every 5 years instead of roughly every two to three years for an SFI approved harness. I have used TeamTech harnesses until 2005 when I bought a HANS device. I wasn’t comfortable with the way the Teamtech harness 3-inch shoulder straps fit the HANS device, so I switched to the Schroth unit with more HANS-compatible 2-inch wide shoulder straps. Teamtech now offers a HANS compliant harness with 2 inch shoulder straps and I like the extra features they offer such as pelvic and thorax padding and a torso strap so it might change again soon.
HANS device
If you like to keep your head securely around your neck, this is a good investment. I don’t think it will be long before it becomes a requirement at SCCA and NASA club events. It’s expensive, but it’s a relative bargain compared to the alternatives. If your racing budget doesn’t accommodate purchasing the HANS (Head and Neck Support System) or similar device, you should stop running until you do. If you have a friend who competes in a different class you can always share the HANS. Helmet mounting tabs are inexpensive, so it would be a reasonable way to stay safe on a budget.
