If you are going to be in a racing vehicle of any type you really should protect yourself. There are parts of a roll cage that detract from the street ability of a car, that cannot be denied. Maybe it gets a little more difficult to get in and out of, maybe you lose some visibility but ultimately you are in a better situation if something like the situation that befalls the driver below happens. Before we get to the what happens part, we should identify one of the causes. Jersey Barriers.
How can a wall make a crash worse? Jersey Barriers are so named because the were developed and first used on the New Jersey Turnpike more than 50 years ago. They were of a modular design and served the purpose of dividing roads and keeping cars on their respective side of the street. Cut to this wreck. The Jersey Barriers that lined this course made this wreck worse because when the back of the car slaps the wall and the front rotates, the bottom of the barrier with its ramp like side take this car and turn it over. If these were flat faced the car would have nosed in, admittedly hard, but it would not have flipped. We’re not taking the racing organization to task but pointing out one of the things that tends to happen with these things.
Lots of Jersey Barrier lined drag strips have gone to flat faced barriers for just this reason. Interestingly we were talking to a professional funny car crew chief during the NHRA race held at New England Dragway and he was adamant in the fact that NED is the safest track on the tour because they use flat faced pinned barriers to line their surface. They dissipate energy and lessen impacts because they have some “give”. Interesting, right?
There’s a case for window nets there too. The passenger did good by keeping his hands in the car but that’s not always possible, a good crash can give you quite a jostling.
Well, they really weren’t racing, they were drifting. And the K-rails were temporary barriers for the drifting area. The walls for regular track are flat-side walls, not K-rails.
Is he wearing a fucking track suit???!!!! Who the Hell does he think he is, Tony Soprano???
Are those New Jersey barriers? Lol
So what is the point of Drifting anyhow?
Ok, its fun for the driver… Shows off skills, but who wins? Is it subject to judging for style?
Actually, yes it is. Style, speed and how close you get to things without hitting them.
This is why I don’t consider drifting a motorsport – where’s the freaking stopwatch?
He was doing good until his ass end tagged that wall. Was that a Holden Commodore? Drifting is kinda squidly but looks like fun, not a motorsport, but an exhibition like car jumping or jet cars.