Hotrod drag race flipover crash, feet out the windshield, walkaway - GIF

[Jon]

Hotrod drag race flipover crash, feet out the windshield, walkaway.



Previously:

Slow motion dragster GIF
Drag racer switches motorcycles mid-race
Parachute fails on drag racing car - GIF
steam locomotive drag racing

[Toolmaker51]

Dents on the roof might indicate a full roll cage; 8 second cars fast enough class to be required. Rolled at least 4 times. But how'd he unseat so easily? I'd expect any full cage chassis have 5 point seat belts and a Recaro or equal bucket seat.

[Scotsman Hosie]

Dents on the roof might indicate a full roll cage; 8 second cars fast enough class to be required. Rolled at least 4 times. But how'd he unseat so easily? I'd expect any full cage chassis have 5 point seat belts and a Recaro or equal bucket seat.

I'm guessing his harness failed at some point — and he may have even latched hold of something, to keep from being completely ejected. Boy must've had a guardian angel and some hard bark on him.

[Jon]

The voices I hear sound American to me, but I'm still wondering where this is taking place, because it sure looks like he wasn't adequately strapped in, and maybe they were racing in a legal but loosely regulated environment.

I also wonder what the correct move is here. Obviously he overcorrected, but what does a pro do here? Keep a perfectly straight line, and take some impact from the competitor's vehicle?

[Toolmaker51]

To me, the Camaro got sideways right out of the gate, and never quite got a hold on it. The BelAir reacted to one of the swerves or got sideways on his own. Both cars are shod with true slicks; tread edges have corners, tall very flexible sidewall, and low air pressure. Most cars in faster classes drilled through rims into the tire bead with sheet metal screws tying the wheel and tire together. Works fine in a straight line. Go sideways, inertia pushes wheel beyond tire, the corner rolls under, and you are on the roof.

It's a legitimate strip, maybe leased out to weekend club, decent number of spectators, and looks to attract a string of competitors. 5 or 600 horsepower engine, lots of traction, maybe a 150hp shot of N20, things happen fast. They pay attention. That's their $40k baby, and most recognize every bolt by it's first name, in the dark.

Or here in Kansas City, just street cars etc. Start of each winter, count the Bozos in SUV's, Acuras and M-benz rolled in the ditch; overly confident, usually distracted, and varied degrees of careless do the same thing. Which isn't really the same thing.
Naturally, I made up a chiding description......"Outta my way^*!?>: Oh noooooo! A flake of snow on the hood! Gotta go in the ditch!"
Yet the little Toyotas, Kias, Monte Carlos and old Park Avenues continue right on by.
Hordes of 'em.

[bruce.desertrat]

I agree, no way was he properly restrained. I'll bet it was an overpowered street car with just a seatbelt on the stock bench seat, like on my Dad's '54 Bel Air convertible. Add the typical slick naugahyde interior and you'd go slipping and sliding all over the place in a rollover. Neither of those two drivers had any business driving at those speeds, imo...

Fortunately Dad's had an old, tired straight 6 in it, and probably couldn't get to a tenth of those cars velocity...then again, it was built for comfort, not speed. And impressing the date when you pulled up to pick her up 8-)

[hemmjo]

I have to agree with the Toolmaker there is a roll cage in it.

The "seat belt" is another issue.

A proper 5 point harness takes a minute to hook up, but it releases instantly.
There is no fumbling around for the button on a buckle down beside your hip.
It is too dangerous to have some clunky buckle to find after the coming to a stop.

It is right there on your chest. Whether it be a push, twist or a "rip cord", it is
quicker and easier to get out than with a regular seat belt!!

[ductape]

Something that looks like a lap belt or part of a harness went out the door at 2:11 in this video of it.