What is the reason you are not supposed/allowed to race with your airbags on?? I mean they are a safety device.

Thanks

 

OK, let's think how an airbag helps...now let's look at a race car. You have a full roll cage, you have a 5 to 6 point harness (airbag really isn't going to help that much more). OK, now think, you have cars all around you. Going into a turn and cars are behind you, one car bumps you...POOOFFFF...there goes your airbag. Now, let's think a bit more. Your airbag is inflated and you're trying to navigate through a turn at x speed. How can you see (/concentrate) and turn through a curve if your airbag is inflated. Meanwhile remember there are other cars around you. 2 seconds later, you just knocked off two cars and you ran off the course hitting who knows what.

That's the primary reason. Anyone else care to comment. If you want to talk to an official, contact 'Grumpy' with NASA, or call Sven Pruett at the SCCA. He'll explain...


[Modified by J28S, 8:02 AM 1/30/2002]

 

Additionally, if your airbag does not deploy on a rollover, and it shouldn't, there is the possibility it might deploy during the driver extraction. If the driver has sustained any fractures, the last thing he needs is a good punch in the face.

Grumpy.

 

ok thanks!

 

Here is a bunch of reasons why airbags are a problem in ANY car.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=120761&page=2

 

If you are harnessed in, you won't ever touch the airbag since the harnesses hold you in much better than a seatbelt (therefore they are unecessary if harnessed in).

When I open track my Mustang (no harness) I like the added safety (despite what Drew said) of the airbag, I hit 130+ and any extra help I can get is appreciated. Ever watch a crash video in slow motion, the kind with the dummies? Look at how far forward they go, even when belted in. Those are usually 35-60 mph crashes, imagine speeds twice that fast.


[Modified by Black96Cobra, 9:39 AM 1/30/2002]