No shoulder harnesses for Hillary?

[SAS]

As a driver, I must say that I cannot imagine Hillary would leave the line without the shoulder harnesses tightened. The belts are one of the most crucial factors in making a driver feel safe and comfortable when on the line. Many drivers, including myself, subscribe to the mantra "the tighter, the better" when it comes to safety harnesses. I would just feel "wrong" if I was on the line without being tightly strapped in.

Also, as a female driver, it's important to know that the shoulder straps are the most uncomfortable part of the harnesses. There is no way she wouldn't have noticed their absence. In my dragster, I know that I have to leave my right harness slightly looser than the left so that I can lean forward to reach the gears. Any driver would say something, or even shut off if their harnesses were not tightened. Especially one that just watch her mentor die doing exactly what she was doing. I'm sure it was a malfunction.

There wasa recent interview with a driver who stated they try very hard to do the exact same thing every time. From start up to shut off. To the point thats its automatic. Roll forward to the same spot, do burnout to the same point, back up, roll forward under the crew chiefs command , pull on the fuel pumps, set brake and everything in between, etc. I agree she would have prob. noticed the belts not being on. If someone messed up, it won't happen again, it just becomes a learning experiance, that luckily did not cause any one to get hurt, just shaken up.

 

[Demon]

As a driver, I must say that I cannot imagine Hillary would leave the line without the shoulder harnesses tightened. The belts are one of the most crucial factors in making a driver feel safe and comfortable when on the line. Many drivers, including myself, subscribe to the mantra "the tighter, the better" when it comes to safety harnesses. I would just feel "wrong" if I was on the line without being tightly strapped in.

Also, as a female driver, it's important to know that the shoulder straps are the most uncomfortable part of the harnesses. There is no way she wouldn't have noticed their absence. In my dragster, I know that I have to leave my right harness slightly looser than the left so that I can lean forward to reach the gears. Any driver would say something, or even shut off if their harnesses were not tightened. Especially one that just watch her mentor die doing exactly what she was doing. I'm sure it was a malfunction.

Emily is 100% correct,and basing on my own experience,Emily is right spot on.I drive a door car,and my harness is as tight as it can be,I would notice them NOT being on,or loose.

 

[Butch]

Since I missed all the action last night. Can anyone give a detailed story about what happened with Hillary?

 

[SAS]

Since I missed all the action last night. Can anyone give a detailed story about what happened with Hillary?

The video shows her helmet going forward out of the roll cage as she is shutting off and the parachutes are just coming out. Her harness was either loose or not on. Could not tell if she hit the sterring wheel, but did come very far forward. She was a bit shaken up , as would anyone.

 

[Bmoy]

I'm no professional driver by any means, but I notice even the slightest change in my car. I understand that top fuel drivers have a lot more going on, but they are professionals and should have a lot more focus on what needs to happen. All I'm sayin is, I sure hope it was a mid-run failure. Otherwise, somebody needs to be talked to.

 

[downtime]

I have absolutely no knowledge of anything except for what I know from my limited local experience. If my shoulder straps are not on, I would not launch the car. Even at 100 or 150mph too much can go wrong.

I find it difficult to believe that any professional fuel driver would launch without being strapped in. Therefore I will await actual information which I would expect to reveal something along the lines of being strapped in at the launch and something happening down track that compromised the integrity of the belt system.

 

[DG]

Here is the "official" answer from Comp-Plus:

Drag Racing Internet Magazine - Competition Plus.com - WILL BELT INCIDENT "ONE OF THOSE FREAK THINGS"

Just as scary!

 

[Suzie Q]

How the H*ll do you not strap a driver in right? Whoever strapped her in needs to be fired!

Samuel,

I suggest that you read the article and maybe not jump to conclusions so fast.

Drag Racing Internet Magazine - Competition Plus.com - WILL BELT INCIDENT "ONE OF THOSE FREAK THINGS"

 

[SAS]

Bet they changed the harness, and checked the ones in the other cars too.
Also bet every other driver that weekend rechecked their harness before launch.

 

[cstarns]

Samuel,

I suggest that you read the article and maybe not jump to conclusions so fast.

Drag Racing Internet Magazine - Competition Plus.com - WILL BELT INCIDENT "ONE OF THOSE FREAK THINGS"

That official comment appears to be what she said word for word after the run. I'm not sure when the video of her simulating shooting herself in the head was shot.

 

[Sean D, shondoo]

That official comment appears to be what she said word for word after the run. I'm not sure when the video of her simulating shooting herself in the head was shot.

Uh, yeah........

Sean D

 

[Suzie Q]

I want to pass on to all of you what Jim told me about the shoulder harness incident.

Hillary's chin strap caught the latch of her shoulder strap and it released it. When she pulled the parachute, the g-force caused her to slip out of the other shoulder strap because she has a very narrow upper body.

At NO time was there a mistake made by ANY of the team members failing to strap her in. It was a fluke thing and they are addressing the situation to make sure it never happens again.

DO NOT throw anyone under the bus on this!

Thanks

 

[Toejam]

So did Hillary say they won't race next year without another sponsor stepping up?

 

[Suzie Q]

So did Hillary say they won't race next year without another sponsor stepping up?

I don't have any answers as far as that goes, but I do know they are working very hard tring to get something solid for next year. Keep your fingers crossed!

 

[HEMI6point1]

I want to pass on to all of you what Jim told me about the shoulder harness incident.

Hillary's chin strap caught the latch of her shoulder strap and it released it. When she pulled the parachute, the g-force caused her to slip out of the other shoulder strap because she has a very narrow upper body.

At NO time was there a mistake made by ANY of the team members failing to strap her in. It was a fluke thing and they are addressing the situation to make sure it never happens again.

DO NOT throw anyone under the bus on this!

Thanks

Thanks for posting this, now I feel like a ditz for what I posted earlier.

 

[HEMI6point1]

So did Hillary say they won't race next year without another sponsor stepping up?

To be honest I'm flat out amazed that she hasn't hooked up with a long-term sponsor yet. Race winner, consistent performer and fan friendly, what's not to like?

 

[Jenn]

I want to pass on to all of you what Jim told me about the shoulder harness incident.

Hillary's chin strap caught the latch of her shoulder strap and it released it. When she pulled the parachute, the g-force caused her to slip out of the other shoulder strap because she has a very narrow upper body.

At NO time was there a mistake made by ANY of the team members failing to strap her in. It was a fluke thing and they are addressing the situation to make sure it never happens again.

That's good to know Suzie. A few years ago I bought a set of belts that had wide velcro strips over the latches on the shoulder as well as the main latch to protect that from happeninng. Maybe that needs to become standard?

 

[Suzie Q]

That's good to know Suzie. A few years ago I bought a set of belts that had wide velcro strips over the latches on the shoulder as well as the main latch to protect that from happeninng. Maybe that needs to become standard?

Jim already has an idea of what needs to be added. I just hope it is on there this weekend! I know they will git' er' done!

 

[Jenn]

Jim already has an idea of what needs to be added. I just hope it is on there this weekend! I know they will git' er' done!

Not bigger bazumba's is it?

 

[Suzie Q]

Not bigger bazumba's is it?

OMG! It is infecting this thread too!

I guess they would be like "airbags"!!!