I thought this was rather interesting as well.
Just a bit ago, there was a special about Earnhardt on TV, which described
NASCAR as having among the most restrictive rules anywhere. It went into
detail about how the shape of the cars is so closely regulated by the
templates, and how the drivers must wear fireproof helmets and suits,
heat-resistant shoes, etc... This "restriction" was passed off on the show
as all being for safety. Um, OK.
So when a car is being teched, they spend hours to ensure that is
aerodynamically fair for competitive purposes, and a few minutes checking
for approval labels on equipment that just about any other racing body does
anyway.
An official is aware that many seat belts are improperly installed, but is
anything done about it? I sincerely doubt it. If a car failed tech even
ONCE for improper belt installation, it would probably almost never happen
again. It sounds like the NASCAR tech inspection barely touches on ensuring
safety.
Why is NASCAR putting blame on the teams, when the problem is ignorance?
When Burton found these improper installations, did he keep them to himself?
Or did he walk over to a crew chief and have a discussion about it, and
follow up later, making sure they were fixed? Did he really consider it to
be a problem himself? If the sanctioning body is aware of a safety problem
with a known solution, and does nothing to resolve the problem, then it has
failed the drivers, teams, and the fans alike.
Strangely, the aerodynamic rule changes are being heavily criticized. I
just don't get this, either. Yes, they may have contributed to "the big
one", but had little to do with Earnhardt's wreck. I could see how they
may be frustrating for drivers, but then racing isn't supposed to be easy,
is it? Finally, I would like to say that the close, pass-intensive action
made this one of the more enjoyable NASCAR events I have watched in a long
time.
- Michael McAvoy
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Paul Foster
> From the excellent story Eric Salem told us about:
> Winston Cup's Burton believes NASCAR "could be more proactive," but
> adds, "One of the problems with Winston Cup racing isn't with NASCAR. It's
> with the drivers and the teams. I can walk through a garage area [at any
> Winston Cup track] and show you experienced race drivers, even Winston Cup
> champions, who have no head restraints on their seats, who have their
> seat-belt brackets mounted 100% wrong.
> "I could point out no less than five. Why is that? It's
> because people
> in this series are hardheaded about safety matters. They believe in the
> status quo."
> Quote from Bill Simpson this week:
>
> "Our seatbelts, when properly installed, will not fail."
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