Miata Mailing List: June 1998, Message #54

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Previously on Roll bars, Shiv Pathak <shivp@worldnet.att.net> said...

> Do you wear a helmet on the track?  If so, why?  Without a rollbar, it is 
> almost like the skydiving scenario.  If you actually *use* your helmet, you got 
> more problems than wearing a helmet can solve.  That's the way I look at it, at 
> least.  However, my perception is undoubtedly biased.  Or is that unbiased?  
> Depends who you ask, I guess.

Shiv,

Your perception is right on.  I'm not Eric, but I'll answer the question from my
(un-rollbar'd) perspective.

I wear a helmet at the track because it is required for the event. <-- Period.

I realize, as you do, that just about any scenario that would require the helmet for
protection would probably kill or cripple me whether I was wearing it or not. 
Personally, under those circumstances I feel that the helmet is pointless, and
frankly if it wasn't a requirement for the event I probably wouldn't wear it.  If
OTOH I had a roll bar, then I would be more inclined to see the potential benefit of
the helmet.

That being said, I do own and use a helmet.  In fact, I went out and spent a lot of
money on a SA95 helmet specifically because I wanted to be sure that (A) I had a top
quality lid, and (B) I wouldn't be excluded from any event that might require the SA
standard.  As I said, I have no problem observing the rules that are laid down.  I
may not agree with them, but that's not my decision.  I can either abide by the
rules or stay off the track, that's why I where a helmet.

FYI.

	-John

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John Freas (jfreas@earthlink.net)
Red '90 Base-ish #7690
Birmingham, AL
Team Laguna Seca, Sears Point...
Team dlralt, PBC, Roebuck, Voodoo...
"I have no idea what those dimple things on the windshield frame are for."
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