Isaac Focus Group, Part II

I think this low cost H&N restraint is a great idea!

I just hope that sanctioning bodies don't begin mandating the use of SFI certified restraints... That would be the only concern that I have at this point.

I'd hate to spend the money on an H&N restraint, only to find out that starting with the 2006 season, I have to shell out for a full blown SFI certified system...
 
No question about it, the SFI part is what makes me wince, the better I understand it. Added cost, no improvement in performance. Pure licensing fees, pure overhead.

Regarding using the Link - I'd feel comfortable using it, despite the simpler less elaborate design and reduced cost. Of course, I've already got my ISAAC and love it, happy to have it.
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But it's nice to finally have options. The test results were very nice and reassuring indeed. But it makes sense that the Link would do better by far than the other webbing systems, given the tether length...

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Vaughan Scott
Detroit Region #280052
'79 924 #77 ITB/GTS1
www.vaughanscott.com
 
Originally posted by snk328is:
I just hope that sanctioning bodies don't begin mandating the use of SFI certified restraints... That would be the only concern that I have at this point.

I'd hate to spend the money on an H&N restraint, only to find out that starting with the 2006 season, I have to shell out for a full blown SFI certified system...
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Is there an upgrade option??? If SCCA does mandate an SFI rated system then I would have waisted $300.00 Since the system uses 1/2 the same parts is it possible to have the upgrade if you pay the diff + shipping?? I think this is another way that those that cannot afford the original Issac system could get into it. Buy the strap version first then upgrade later. In fact I bet if you kept a list of everyone that purchased a strap version then 1 year later send them a letter explaining (again) what is better about the original Issac and offered them an upgrade option several would take that opportunity. By spreading out the cost and giving them the chance to get "hooked" on a head and neck restraint you would do good for yourself (by making money on upgrades) and for the racers because we would be safer.

Stephen
 
Originally posted by RSTPerformance:
Is there an upgrade option???...

Stephen
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Company policy will not permit me to comment on products that are not through final design. So, technically, as of this moment the answer is "No", there is no "upgrade" to an SFI version for the Link model. (Get it?
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)

However, the Link design was not the only thing we hit last week.

http://www.isaacdirect.com/images/Video/WSU149.AVI

See happy dummy above. (Get it?
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)

Don't forget, we purposely design every Isaac system to be modular. Absent some huge change in design philosophy (which no one envisions) you should never be stuck with an obsolete design.

I'm with Vaughan; the SFI design is more costly and riskier. We have to put that in the price somewhere.

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Gregg Baker, P.E.
Isaac, LLC
http://www.isaacdirect.com
 
This year is the first year I went with any kind of H&N restraint. Mind you I went with a collar, it was still better than nothing. My question about the "Link" is, since there is no side to side protection, would the use of the "Link" and my horse collar be better than just the "Link"?

The main reason I'm taking this route is I'm waiting to hear what SCCA has to say about SFI. I want to take it slow, and don't want to spend $1000. Not right now. Some may argue that how can you put a price on H&N safety, and I agree, but people have been doing this for years with out anything. I kind of equate it to kids now a days REQUIRED to wear a helmet and pads when they ride a bike. Good idea, but I used to do stupid things on a bike without any protection and I turned out alright...... *twitch twitch*

Spanky
#03 ITC '90 Honda Civic WDCR
 
Originally posted by spnkzss:
...The main reason I'm taking this route is I'm waiting to hear what SCCA has to say about SFI....Some may argue that how can you put a price on H&N safety, and I agree, but people have been doing this for years with out anything. I kind of equate it to kids now a days REQUIRED to wear a helmet and pads when they ride a bike. Good idea, but I used to do stupid things on a bike without any protection and I turned out alright...... *twitch twitch*
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Spanky,

That's a good summary.

I'm with you in that regard. It's too easy to go overboard. Do you really need a $1,000 H&N restraint, on top of another $1,000 of safety gear, to take your 150hp car onto the track twice a year? If you are doing hardcore W2W, okay, maybe. If you're doing parade laps in a vintage racer, probably not.

Some level of risk is acceptable in life, but we should have a choice of how much insurance we buy, within reason.

BTW, there are two sides to the SFI coin: the performance criteria, and the SFI agreement that must be entered into to receive certification. The last one is our problem, but the first one is easy. The Link design will pass the test.

If sanctioning bodies were smart they would adopt the SFI performance criteria, but not require certification proper. This would save members a small fortune, and the Link model would be 1/3 the cost of everything else in that performance range. We can get the Link model certified, but the cost would probably double.

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Gregg Baker, P.E.
Isaac, LLC
http://www.isaacdirect.com
 
Originally posted by Racerlinn:
I'm in a similar situation as Spanky. I would love to get something like this. Rather than a horseshoe, I'm curious as to thoughts of it's combined use with net style side head restraints such as the sprint car style cage nets I have installed (similar to http://www.saferacer.com/gspcarwinet.html)
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That is a great combination, dollarwise--a Link and a right-side net for under $400. The drawback is that there is more stuff to futz with, but at least you don't have the cost, and visibiliy issues, of a seat head surround.

The original, damper-based Isaac design appears to reduce lateral loads by about 50%, so keep that in mind as you add up the cost of bits and pieces.

Collars, BTW, help with neck fatigue, but don't add anything when bones get broken--they only work in compression.

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Gregg Baker, P.E.
Isaac, LLC
http://www.isaacdirect.com
 
(Here is the PR that went out today)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Isaac® Link™ Model

Orlando, Florida USA – May 9, 2005 – Isaac, LLC announces the addition of the new Link™ model to its line of head and neck restraint systems.

Designed to reduce head and neck injuries among cost-conscious amateur racers, the $295 Isaac® Link™ is the third best product ever tested*, after the original Isaac® system and the HANS® device, reducing head loads by more than fifty percent--a record for low-cost products.

The Link™ uses high strength, military-grade parachute webbing. If it’s good enough for U.S. Special Forces, it’s good enough for racers.

With fifty percent of all racing fatalities consisting of head and neck injuries and the majority of racers being cost-conscious amateurs, the Isaac® Link™ is expected to be a major contribution to motorsports safety. Said Craig D. Foster, WSU lab engineer and co-author of SAE paper 2002-01-3304, Sled Test Evaluation of Racecar Head/Neck Restraints, "You guys are on to something."

As with all Isaac® products, the Link™ model is not worn so it does not hinder rapid egress in emergencies. It fits any driver with any helmet in any car. It is completely modular so the driver can upgrade to more advanced Isaac® versions going all the way to custom-made, damper-based titanium models which offer theoretical protection to impacts as high as 150Gs. With the Link™ addition, there are now a record 72 possible ways to configure an Isaac® system given the long list of options.

Inventory is expected to be ready for shipment by mid July 2005. Drivers placing orders prior to finished inventory will receive a $50 discount in consideration of their patience.

Isaac, LLC is based in Orlando, Florida. It specializes in protection from head and neck injuries and is the only such firm to offer a complete product line to racers.

CONTACT:
Customer Service
Isaac, LLC
1800 Pembrook Drive, Suite 300
Orlando, FL 32810
Telephone: 407/667-3414
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.isaacdirect.com

*Laboratory crash testing was conducted at the Wayne State University Bioengineering Center, which has tested every head and neck restraint available to racers.

Note: If you wish to be removed from our mailing list, simply reply to this e-mail with the word “remove” in the subject line.

HANS® is a registered trademark of Hubbard/Downing, Inc.

# # #
 
Originally posted by gsbaker:
Spanky,

That's a good summary.

BTW, there are two sides to the SFI coin: the performance criteria, and the SFI agreement that must be entered into to receive certification. The last one is our problem, but the first one is easy. The Link design will pass the test.
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Uh oh....this question will likely end in an answer that will have me fuming at backdoor politics, payoffs and raketeering, but I'll forgo common sense and ask anyway...

What is the agreement you have to sign, and why is it an issue?

Second, in your scenario of sanctioning bodies requiring units that exceed the requirement, but need not be certified, what methods of proof can you envision being used to ensure the devices are indeed exceeding the requirements?

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Jake Gulick
CarriageHouse Motorsports
ITA 57 RX-7
New England Region
[email protected]
 
Originally posted by lateapex911:
What is the agreement you have to sign, and why is it an issue?
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In general it's not bad, but there are some problems with the details. For example, if someone wants to challenge our test results by re-testing, fine, it's a free country. But don't send us the bill.

<font face=\"Verdana, Arial\" size=\"2\">Second, in your scenario of sanctioning bodies requiring units that exceed the requirement, but need not be certified, what methods of proof can you envision being used to ensure the devices are indeed exceeding the requirements?</font>
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That's easy. Just use the SFI criteria for maximum loads.

SFI doesn't do the testing. SFI requires the testing be done at the Delphi lab in Ohio (or an equivalent). So contract with the Delphi lab and submit the results to the sanctioning body. Easy.

Or, easier still, manufacturers could post their test results on a neutral Web site for all sanctioning bodies to see.

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Gregg Baker, P.E.
Isaac, LLC
http://www.isaacdirect.com
 
Originally posted by gsbaker:
Absent some huge change in design philosophy (which no one envisions)...
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Having been in the Engineering/marketing/manufacturing world for quite a number of years, statements like that make me break out in a cold sweat...
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Wayne
 
Originally posted by Mark LaBarre:
In honor of all of Greg's work with this, I vote for calling it the "G" string, by Isaac.
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That should compliment Kirk's offering of "The Brain Bra."
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If we keep this up we can get it banned in certain locales.

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Gregg Baker, P.E.
Isaac, LLC
http://www.isaacdirect.com
 
Originally posted by Wayne:
Having been in the Engineering/marketing/manufacturing world for quite a number of years, statements like that make me break out in a cold sweat...
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Wayne
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Hey, that's nothing. Wait until you see our new 8-track design. It's really groovy, man!

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Gregg Baker, P.E.
Isaac, LLC
http://www.isaacdirect.com
 
Marcus,

The Webmaster is working on the order form. In the meantime, you can just go to the Comments section and say you want the Link model.

We are about 8 weeks from shipping because it will take that long to run all the parts through the vendors and build finished inventory. Racers who order before then will get another $50 off ($245 total).

Early orders will help us get a feel for the build quantity, and we are happy to reward the racer for their patience.

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Gregg Baker, P.E.
Isaac, LLC
http://www.isaacdirect.com
 
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