Hammond crashes Vampire !!!
Discussion
tanya said:
hornet said:
Another thought - could/should drag racing adopt something like the HANS device?
By adopt you mean 'everyone should have one', or 'it's a good thing to have'?
I guess I mean "has it been looked at?" and "would it be useful?". Not advocating compulsion. In the case of Hammond's crash, I was just pondering whether something akin to a HANS setup would have lessened the chance of a head injury, or at least lessened the severity.
There are many similar devices:
Hutchens Device - www.hutchensdevice.com/ (site includes video of how it performs in a crash). I am fairly sure it would be more accessible to most drag racers because it is basically strapping, not carbon fibre, and is therefore more affordable. Does the same job.
The R3 - www.lfttech.com/ (horrid site with much use of Flash)
There a device called the D-cell (or D-cel?), but it basically uses your pelvis to slow your head down - not sure how that one performs in real life. I think Simpson make something similar too.
Either way, they *can* prevent injury, especially if the car/dragster rolls, but by far the best thing I've seen as a marshall in circuit racing was the introduction of seats that could be removed with the driver still in it, acting as spinal immobilisation boards. However, I can't figure out if they'd be too useful in drag racing, given the confined nature of most of the driving positions. It's easy in a single seater to just lift the driver straight out... and useful given the threats of being sued for making an injury worse . Don't get me started on that one.
(edit) - just realised I didn't really answer your question. Yes, it may have lessened the amount his head was thrown around.
Hutchens Device - www.hutchensdevice.com/ (site includes video of how it performs in a crash). I am fairly sure it would be more accessible to most drag racers because it is basically strapping, not carbon fibre, and is therefore more affordable. Does the same job.
The R3 - www.lfttech.com/ (horrid site with much use of Flash)
There a device called the D-cell (or D-cel?), but it basically uses your pelvis to slow your head down - not sure how that one performs in real life. I think Simpson make something similar too.
Either way, they *can* prevent injury, especially if the car/dragster rolls, but by far the best thing I've seen as a marshall in circuit racing was the introduction of seats that could be removed with the driver still in it, acting as spinal immobilisation boards. However, I can't figure out if they'd be too useful in drag racing, given the confined nature of most of the driving positions. It's easy in a single seater to just lift the driver straight out... and useful given the threats of being sued for making an injury worse . Don't get me started on that one.
(edit) - just realised I didn't really answer your question. Yes, it may have lessened the amount his head was thrown around.
Edited by tanya on Saturday 23 September 17:51
In the US, HANS devices are used by the majority of Pros, in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Mod. There also starting to be used by alcohol racers.
If you watched the recent US Nationals race on channel 5, Pro Stock racer Ron Krisher had a bad impact with the wall, after rolling a couple of times. The Doctors who attended to him said the HANS device saved his life, which is amazing considering HANS devices are not currently mandatory in NHRA races.
Unfortunatly, any significant safety improvement usually only comes about after fatal accidents, Blain Johnson's accident is a good example. Openings in crash barriers, to allow safety vehicles onto the track, were not closed off until he ran into the gap and died as a result, even though similar accidents had previously occured.
Herb
If you watched the recent US Nationals race on channel 5, Pro Stock racer Ron Krisher had a bad impact with the wall, after rolling a couple of times. The Doctors who attended to him said the HANS device saved his life, which is amazing considering HANS devices are not currently mandatory in NHRA races.
Unfortunatly, any significant safety improvement usually only comes about after fatal accidents, Blain Johnson's accident is a good example. Openings in crash barriers, to allow safety vehicles onto the track, were not closed off until he ran into the gap and died as a result, even though similar accidents had previously occured.
Herb
On a vaguely related note, I just found this:
www.mirror.co.uk/motoring/richardhammond/tm_objectid=17423328&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=die-another-day-out--name_page.html
Scroll down a bit and you will see Richard Hammond recommending the Euro Finals as a great place to take the family.
www.mirror.co.uk/motoring/richardhammond/tm_objectid=17423328&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=die-another-day-out--name_page.html
Scroll down a bit and you will see Richard Hammond recommending the Euro Finals as a great place to take the family.
HAZE said:
Sod the car, cars can be replaced. People can't, hope Hammond pulls through this.Eh? People can't be replaced? How come there's about 300 million of then then?
There's only one Vampire, and I bet its creation was a lot harder, albeit possibly less fun, than the effort it takes to knock another human being out.
I mean, given how many single moms there are on the local chav estate, creating human beings doesn't take any brains at all.
But the Vampire, now that's a different story...
heebeegeetee said:
Eh? People can't be replaced? How come there's about 300 million of then then?
There's only one Vampire, and I bet its creation was a lot harder, albeit possibly less fun, than the effort it takes to knock another human being out.
I mean, given how many single moms there are on the local chav estate, creating human beings doesn't take any brains at all.
But the Vampire, now that's a different story...
There's only one Vampire, and I bet its creation was a lot harder, albeit possibly less fun, than the effort it takes to knock another human being out.
I mean, given how many single moms there are on the local chav estate, creating human beings doesn't take any brains at all.
But the Vampire, now that's a different story...
A slightly heartless post given he isn't out of hospital yet. The fact is you could bend some moly tube and build another Vampire (given available funds - I know the car was previously for sale to raise money got Primetime's other LSR activities) but however many babies you make none would be the same person.
Given the publicity around PistonHeads at the moment the chances of his family seeing that are not negligable - imagine how you would feel if you read comments like that about a loved one of yours who had been critically ill.
Edited by Time Machine on Monday 25th September 20:04
Time Machine said:
heebeegeetee said:
Eh? People can't be replaced? How come there's about 300 million of then then?
There's only one Vampire, and I bet its creation was a lot harder, albeit possibly less fun, than the effort it takes to knock another human being out.
I mean, given how many single moms there are on the local chav estate, creating human beings doesn't take any brains at all.
But the Vampire, now that's a different story...
There's only one Vampire, and I bet its creation was a lot harder, albeit possibly less fun, than the effort it takes to knock another human being out.
I mean, given how many single moms there are on the local chav estate, creating human beings doesn't take any brains at all.
But the Vampire, now that's a different story...
A slightly heartless post given he isn't out of hospital yet. The fact is you could bend some moly tube and build another Vampire (given available funds - I know the car was previously for sale to raise money got Primetime's other LSR activities) but however many babies you make none would be the same person.
Given the publicity around PistonHeads at the moment the chances of his family seeing that are not negligable - imagine how you would feel if you read comments like that about a loved one of yours who had been critically ill.
Edited by Time Machine on Monday 25th September 20:04
It was a joke!
watching some news channel last night it said about Jeremy Clarkson was by Hammonds bedside all day being nice to him (What are the chances of that?) and not getting any kind of reaction to it.
However, the funny bit is Clarkson said after awhile that the only reason Hammond is in hospital is because he's a 'really crap driver' to which Hammonds reaction was that he smiled.
I think it's funny he reacted how he did, and shows he's still very much in touch with the world around him.
Get well soon Hammond,
However, the funny bit is Clarkson said after awhile that the only reason Hammond is in hospital is because he's a 'really crap driver' to which Hammonds reaction was that he smiled.
I think it's funny he reacted how he did, and shows he's still very much in touch with the world around him.
Get well soon Hammond,
I start this post by expressing my unbridled joy that RH is well on the way to a full recovery. This is clearly someone we need to get into a Nitro car as soon as possible.
Now that, as mentioned, Mr H is seemingly out of danger, perhaps it is time for us drag racing fans to mourn the passing of the less well known sufferant in this well publicised incident?
I am actually quite sad that Vampire is no more.
I know she was tired, overweight, built originally down to a budget, and her spectacle and quartermile achievemnets have been long overtaken by lighter, more modern, more ferocious cars.
She was also a part of European Drag Racing History, a remnant of a bygone age, and one of the last remaining links to Bootsie.
Bless her
Now that, as mentioned, Mr H is seemingly out of danger, perhaps it is time for us drag racing fans to mourn the passing of the less well known sufferant in this well publicised incident?
I am actually quite sad that Vampire is no more.
I know she was tired, overweight, built originally down to a budget, and her spectacle and quartermile achievemnets have been long overtaken by lighter, more modern, more ferocious cars.
She was also a part of European Drag Racing History, a remnant of a bygone age, and one of the last remaining links to Bootsie.
Bless her
jon c said:
I start this post by expressing my unbridled joy that RH is well on the way to a full recovery. This is clearly someone we need to get into a Nitro car as soon as possible.
Now that, as mentioned, Mr H is seemingly out of danger, perhaps it is time for us drag racing fans to mourn the passing of the less well known sufferant in this well publicised incident?
I am actually quite sad that Vampire is no more.
I know she was tired, overweight, built originally down to a budget, and her spectacle and quartermile achievemnets have been long overtaken by lighter, more modern, more ferocious cars.
She was also a part of European Drag Racing History, a remnant of a bygone age, and one of the last remaining links to Bootsie.
Bless her
Now that, as mentioned, Mr H is seemingly out of danger, perhaps it is time for us drag racing fans to mourn the passing of the less well known sufferant in this well publicised incident?
I am actually quite sad that Vampire is no more.
I know she was tired, overweight, built originally down to a budget, and her spectacle and quartermile achievemnets have been long overtaken by lighter, more modern, more ferocious cars.
She was also a part of European Drag Racing History, a remnant of a bygone age, and one of the last remaining links to Bootsie.
Bless her
yes, glad Richard is Doing good, but the car, glad its gone, hope its never rebuilt, at least that way it will never kill anyone like its sister car, Hellbender.
There was a reason why Hellbender crashed and Mark Woodley knew the risk he was taking, remember also that this was 20 years ago. Having seen the little bit of coverage that I have regarding Richard Hammond's incident, it appears that the roll cage was in good shape when the emergency crew removed it.
jon c said:
I start this post by expressing my unbridled joy that RH is well on the way to a full recovery. This is clearly someone we need to get into a Nitro car as soon as possible.
Now that, as mentioned, Mr H is seemingly out of danger, perhaps it is time for us drag racing fans to mourn the passing of the less well known sufferant in this well publicised incident?
I am actually quite sad that Vampire is no more.
I know she was tired, overweight, built originally down to a budget, and her spectacle and quartermile achievemnets have been long overtaken by lighter, more modern, more ferocious cars.
She was also a part of European Drag Racing History, a remnant of a bygone age, and one of the last remaining links to Bootsie.
Bless her
Now that, as mentioned, Mr H is seemingly out of danger, perhaps it is time for us drag racing fans to mourn the passing of the less well known sufferant in this well publicised incident?
I am actually quite sad that Vampire is no more.
I know she was tired, overweight, built originally down to a budget, and her spectacle and quartermile achievemnets have been long overtaken by lighter, more modern, more ferocious cars.
She was also a part of European Drag Racing History, a remnant of a bygone age, and one of the last remaining links to Bootsie.
Bless her
Here here! I too feel quite sad at the loss of Vampire. I have vivid memories of her (and Hellbender) from the early 80's and will never forget when i drew a (terrible!) picture of Vampire for Colin. He exchanged it for a poster!
Anyway also agree with Jim's (Nitro wars) wise words on the previous post!
I have nothing more to say, he says it all.topnitro said:
Yer bastard, I fell for that!
I hope they do rebuild Vampire, though. It seemed in remarkable shape considering what it went through. Be a shame if, having looked after its driver so well, its reward was a trip to the scrappy's.
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