Alright fellow dragsters, now that I’ve shared something about the background of bracket racing, let’s now dip into into something different. It’s time to dabble into something more important. Sometimes, motorists tend to overlook the safety requirements of drag racing, especially the ones in the underground. But everyone with the right mind would know that even before you hit the strip with that beast of a vehicle you have, you need to be equipped with the all the safety features and gadgets. So even if your speed demon would lose control and barrel into the wall or other automobiles, you might probably escape the inevitable. These things just might draw the line between “the racer escaped with minor bruises” or “he will need three months in the hospital to recuperate.”
Get all the right gears
When it comes to your vehicle’s safety features, it should be put in your utmost priority. Notice that in sanctioned races, the driver is well covered with all the safety equipments and gadgets needed. Well one thing you should definitely have it the helmet. Not just any helmet, though. Preferably, you need to have an SN 95+ helmet. That kind of helmet is required for the driver of any vehicle running 14 seconds or quicker in a quarter mile. Professional category and some alcohol burning vehicles require an SA rated helmet. It is important to note that the helmet rating must be designated on a tag INSIDE the helmet, or sewn to one of the helmet straps. The designation stenciled on the exterior of the helmet is insufficient for NHRA technical inspection. Also, some tracks require a helmet on ALL drivers, so check in advance. Moreover, it pays to have a set of racing leathers, (leather jacket and pants are still approved in some sanctions) full-face Snell some boots, gloves and glove as well.
Don’t let your belts choke you
Seat belts perform a central role in occupant protection. Properly designed seatbelts should restrain the occupant by preventing ejection. They also provide a controlled slow down of the energy and minimizing the occupant's violent movement within the vehicle during the crash. So when it comes to your seatbelts, you better make sure that it’s fully functional. Some seatbelt defects include: inertial unlatching, excessive seat belt slack, seat back failures and such. The bottom-line is, if your seat belts are starting to wear out and if it’s not tight enough to lock you in your car seat, have it replaced immediately.
No Leaks, No Problem
You should also make sure that your vehicle does not seep any fluids such as oil or antifreeze. You probably know that it’s not a good thing for any automobile, whether it’s built for the racetrack or not. These irritating leaks can cause engine overheating, and you don’t want to have that when you’re going 200 above. In these cases, putting a sturdy sealant is advised. Better yet, just replace the damaged part. If it’s a hose, it can be easily replaced. If the leaks came from the radiator, take it out and have it fixed. That way, you can isolate the problem. And oh, before I forget, you better insure that your coolant overflow system is in good condition too. You don’t want this system acting up while you’re zooming in incredible speeds.
Hubcaps are for the show, not for the strip
If you’re wheels have hubcaps, it would be wise to have it removed. Yes, hubcaps are great accessories if you want to give your ride a boost in its aesthetic appeal. But if your vehicle is meant for the strip, hubcaps are definitely a no-no. When your ride is moving in high speeds, hubcaps can possibly dislodge and it would compromise the movement from your tires and such. After that, you probably know what can happen next.
Strap your battery for crying out loud
Some people tend to overlook if their batteries are well-strapped or not. The fact is when your vehicle is going in high speeds, your battery can wobble and potentially extricate if not mounted properly. So in these cases, you better make sure that you have a sturdy battery hold down component.
