Originally posted by Blk560:
Originally posted by dubkatz:
And when your legs are the first thing to hit(alla open wheeled race car) Chances are if you do survive the actual impact. You are either gonna be a parapaligic(spelling?) like Zinardi or bleed to death from the trauma.



Zanardi's (not technically a quadriplegic since his condition is not a result of neurotrauma) accident was quite different, being a side-impact structural intrusion from Tagliani's nose cone that severed both legs instantly (graphically clear looking at photos of the impact). However, he was in danger of bleeding to death during the extrication.

Extreme foot and leg injuries are not particular to open-wheeled chassis, evidenced by Jeremy Dale's horrific crash with Barbazza in 1995 at Road Atlanta in a Spice/Olds sports prototype, which shattered most of his feet and ankles. Since most prototypes now are essentially fendered open-wheeled racers in their basic design (carbon-fibre tub with stressed drivetrains and push- or pull-rod suspensions), they carry similar vulnerabilities for foot and leg injuries in extreme impacts -- it's just less likely to happen due to the extra bodywork and lower speeds involved.

Unfortunately, it's difficult to manage impact energy with a nosecone (reducing g-load to occupant, protecting lower limbs) while making it crash-compatible with other vehicles at funny angles.



Good point, i was realy comparing open wheeled racing to tube frame cars like nascar, and touring car style cars.
In todays racing, Irl is realy the most dangerous(if you ask me). Because of the 200+ mph average speed's. As aposed to champ, f1 etc. Were the average speed around the track is closer to 100mph or less(depending on the track)

98 csvt t-red.. sho-shop intake, b&m, fidanza, spec1 clutch, Torsen, DMD,optimized Y& TB, Brullen, rear strut bar,h&r's,17" konig traffik's. "I say what I mean and I do what i say"