John Medlen and wheel tethers....

[Toejam]

i like the larger bolt circle, but why more studs? how about a 6 inch bolt circle and 3/4 inch studs?. . .also on comp plus there is an interview with Tim Gibson and here is a quote from him about tethers.....

Since 1998, Formula One cars have had to fit wheel tethers connecting the wheels to the chassis, but these tethers have not kept wheels from continuing to come off when these F1 cars crash.

“Formula One has tried that (wheel tethers) and it doesn’t work, it’s ridiculous,” Gibson said. “It doesn’t work in Formula One because the forces are so great that when the wheel comes off that it will just pull apart whatever the tether is attached to. There’s nothing strong enough on the car to attach it (the tether) to. On a Top Fuel car, the wheel is so much heavier than a Formula One car, there would not be anything to hold on to.”


the article is real good reading.

Someone on another Thread was saying Steve Pluegar was saying either thicker studs, or more of them would have kept that tire on the Hub! Can't find that post, but that would make the most sense to me!

 

[Solid Rock]

I'm really glad that they are being so proactive about both driver and spectator safety. I'm certainly no engineer, but I hope that they do some simulated testing prior to a hasty install before Gainesville.

Medlen's accident was fatal from the harmonics of the tire not being able to leave. This worries me for the drivers. Allowing a 200lb jackhammer turning ungodly RPM's thether to and beat on the frame that's supporting the driver really scares me. My first concern would be to find out why the part failed and fix IT... or come up with a stronger mounting system that would reduce failure before putting the drivers at risk further.

I'm all for safety, I just hope it isn't rushed and creates another danger in the process.

I have to agree with Erica. I certainly would not want a tire and wheel tethered to my car, and I really wouldn't want one tethered to a car capable of running well over 300 MPH.

 

[.]

Someone on another Thread was saying Steve Pluegar was saying either thicker studs, or more of them would have kept that tire on the Hub! Can't find that post, but that would make the most sense to me!

http://www.nitromater.com/nhra/23830-lets-fix-problem-wheels-flying-off-3.html#post237684

 

[Al smith]

i
“Formula One has tried that (wheel tethers) and it doesn’t work, it’s ridiculous,” Gibson said. “It doesn’t work in Formula One because the forces are so great that when the wheel comes off that it will just pull apart whatever the tether is attached to. There’s nothing strong enough on the car to attach it (the tether) to. On a Top Fuel car, the wheel is so much heavier than a Formula One car, there would not be anything to hold on to.”


the article is real good reading.

Did the F-1 cars use any kind of a shock absorbing tether?