A Talbot Sunbeam Rally crew have had a lucky escape after a 115mph jump on a rally stage became a multiple barrel roll, destroying the car and even managing to rip the helmet off one of the crew mid roll!!!
Its definately an eye opener for Club Motorsport... as you probably know, I compete in club rallies, and theres obviously more of us who compete in other forms of motorsport. What scares me is that even with roll cages and all other safety features, Injuries can and do take place. Thankfully this crew werent too badly hurt, but its a bit scary that I have the exact helmet that came off during the roll....
Cant really afford to get rid of a £250 helmet, and thats the basic one
I think due to how violent the crash is.. his head must have been thrown around like a marble, bouncing off the roll cage etc. Theres also the possibility that he may not have had the helmet secured correctly.
The helmets and suits are checked for suitability during scrutineering, but maybe they should be checked before every stage? More work for the marshalls, but would help improve safety overall...
Maybe it was old as well, and the strap had started fraying? Which maybe would have shown up in scrutineering, but yea, Helmets arent designed to come off.. all down to the person wearing it.
I for one would be more than happy to do the extra work, both at scrutineering and at every stage, of checking lids. We do it with the "pins" so what's an extra second or 3 to check chin straps going to cost me?? Nothing!
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