What do you think of when you’re asked about a risky or death-defying sport? Do you think of Alex Honnold and his harrowing free solo of Yosemite’s El Capitan, or skydiving day after day out of planes? Most people don’t think of car racing first, but it is a death-defying sport, and if safety is overlooked it can become deadly.
Does sitting in an Audi R8 or Lamborghini Gallardo sound enticing? At Racing Adventures, we provide you with the best in luxury car racing and race car driving lessons, to give you a taste of what the professionals experience on a daily basis! Safety is arguably the most important aspect of car racing, so learn what the professionals live by and bring your knowledge to your next supercar experience!
Safety In The Supercar Seat
There is an element of danger, or as some refer to it, “ a calculated risk,” in most sports, and race car driving is no stranger. Though the sport has evolved over the last couple of decades and brought innovative safety, there are still basic features and rules that professional drivers rely on.
Assess your car
Giving your car a “once over” is extremely important, especially for drivers. Yes, they have crews that do this, but knowing the ins and outs of your car is important and you may notice something that they don’t. Look for the correct tire pressure and make sure nothing looks abnormal before you hop into the driver’s seat.
SAFER safety
SAFER stands for steel and foam energy reduction barrier, and professionals refer to it as a soft wall. These barriers line the wall of an oval track and absorb the impact of a crash, making it impeccably safer than a concrete wall! These safety measures were first introduced in 2006, and since then, has prevented many injuries and racing-related deaths.
Seatbelts
Seat belts are a given whether you’re a professional race car driver or not! The racing harnesses were adopted in the 1960s — with much resistance from drivers — but the six-point seat belt holds drivers in and has a safety latch in the case of a fire.
Know the conditions
On race day, you can’t predict or control what the weather is going to do, so it’s important to be ready for it all. Factor in the rain and extremely hot weather that will affect what your tires are doing on the track.
Sit close to the wheel
When you sit like your granny, close to the wheel, it allows more control of your car. The arm muscles are able to fire more rapidly, giving you a better reaction time if you catch a slide. Keep your seat close enough for the reaction time benefits, but far enough away for it to be an air-bag safety hazard. Start with one inch and go up from there.
When you’re in the supercar seat at Racing Adventures, practice safety like the professionals by wearing a seat belt, knowing the road conditions, and moving your seat closer to the wheel!