At the highest levels of racing the speeds are such that the bag might not be able to inflate in time to be useful.īut basically, the drivers simply don't need them. There are other factors too, like the fact that a sufficient bump might set them off unintentionally, causing a tremendous hazard. To sum it all up – they are no airbags in racing cars because they simply don't need them. In every single incident, when I release my belts there is still enough tension in them to make them all fly away from the restraining buckle. From simple slow relative speed busted noses to high speed tearing 3 out of 4 wheels and most of the body work off the car. Having raced for 8 years I had my share of crashes. Once you are secured into the car at this level only a catastrophic failure of epic proportions would allow your body to come anywhere near the steering wheel. The arm restrains allow me to reach to the top of the steering wheel, but I can't adjust a mirror once I am fastened in. Ideally its so tight that any further tightening would make it difficult to breathe. Usually by someone out of the car who can use more leverage than I can in the car. Once in the car the belts are pulled as tight as possible. When I get into the seat that is custom fit to my backside I then add.Ħ point racing restraints (right and left shoulder, lap, and groin restraints)Īrm restraints to prevent my arms from flying out of the cockpit in a major crash. HANS device or other neck protection gear.
Tripple layer fire resistant racing suit. Let me tell you what I wear when I get into an open wheel car for racing.įire resistant under ware covering from my neck down to my ankles and wrists.
Since airbags add safety, why don't professional race cars like in F1/NASCAR/WRC have them?