LRP Accident

Originally posted by m glassburner@Jan 12 2006, 11:51 AM
How much room would a "safer" barrier take up ??
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18" to 24" somewhere around there.

Edit: John Fitch (inventor of the Fitch Barrier) lives in the immediate vacinity of Lime Rock.
 
Originally posted by RacerBill@Jan 12 2006, 10:07 AM
18" to 24" somewhere around there.

Edit: John Fitch (inventor of the Fitch Barrier) lives in the immediate vacinity of Lime Rock.
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I've seen a SRF, SM, and small formula car hit that type of barrier at TMS. They don't even dent. They are designed for the NASCAR cars which are much stiffer and heavier. Our "little" cars just crunch and bounce off them.
 
It was explained to me when the Safer barriers first went up at NHIS that the barriers are tuned to car weight by adjusting the amount of foam absorption material behind the steel. At the time I was told for an Indy car you use about half the foam at for a Cup car. With Indy car no longer racing there they are now just left in Cup car configuration. There is a big difference between the size of a F500 and a T1 car but I bet they could be tuned to suit most of our cars better. Remember safer barriers are made to be invisible in the smaller impact and really only help in the big hit.

By the way there have been huge barrier changes in west bend and the downhill in the last 5 or 10 years. They now do a much better job in a big crash.

Of course I am still nervous racing there.
 
I just came back from NER’s annual meeting and talked to a couple of people who are connected to Lime Rock. I was told changes are happening. New triple guardrail from big bend to the uphill (hopefully back by the trees) to keep us out of the woods. Runoff being added at the uphill. A straight rail drivers right entrance to the bridge. Eliminates the “catchers mitt” before the bridge. And a rework of the chicane so that more clubs might use it. I am told that these are all part of what was promised when Alms agreed to come to the track
 
Very good news. PS - Rick, your idea of shorting the turn at the uphill to provide more runoff is a good alternative to moving the wall.
 
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