Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 19
  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    1
    Like
    0
    Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    Safety net in monte carlo?

    Hi everyone, this is my first post here;

    Did anyone notice that the Subarus and Suzukis had a net between the driver and codriver? It's visible in the onboard shots. It looks like a safety feature, but I can't understand in what sort of accident it would be useful and what it would prevent...Anyone have a clue what these are for? I understand window nets -nascar style- are to prevent arms going out of the window when you roll over, but between driver and codriver? I don't get it.

    Anyway, you could see that chris atkinson's right elbow was rubbing against the net quite a lot, that must be distracting or uncomfortable.

    Also, if it's a safety thing, why don't ford and citroen use them as well?

    If anything they should install them on the fords, so gigi can't punch his codriver

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Milton Keynes, England
    Posts
    662
    Like
    63
    Liked 22 Times in 10 Posts
    Funny, I watched the coverage yesterday and thought the same thing, and was going to start a thread myself this morning - you beat me too it...

  3. #3
    Senior Member Mirek's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Prague / Eastern Bohemia
    Posts
    22,491
    Like
    7,821
    Liked 11,137 Times in 4,419 Posts
    Official explanation:

    The first target was to minimise the energy forces on the occupants of the car during a collision. This is achieved through greater survival space as well as energy absorbing material and a load spreading door cage.

    The next priority was strengthening the driver’s seat to improve head, shoulder and pelvic support. The seat is important because it is the main connection between the driver’s body and the car. It also provides the last line of protection should an accident occur.

    The safety nets, still under development with the teams, will be placed along the centre-line of the car, between the driver and co driver, in order to limit the excursion of the occupants, and prevent them impacting each other during a violent impact or roll.

    The belt positions have been specified to create optimised belt strap geometry and angles which ensure the torso is efficiently and equally restrained by each of the straps of the safety harness.

    The load spreading door system will increase the strength of the car in the region of the front doors, and will reduce the intrusion during a side impact accident.

    By introducing these measures in stages, the rally teams are able to incorporate them more easily into the designs of their car.

    Much of the research was conducted in co-operation with Peugeot and Prodrive, with engineering design by the Subaru World Rally Team. A high-g sled at DEKRA was commissioned for development testing where it was demonstrated that a high velocity 70g side impact could be survived without serious injury.
    Stupid is as stupid does. Forrest Gump

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Posts
    666
    Like
    0
    Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Yeah, I saw the nets as well and thought about asking here on the forum, but then I saw a thread with all the info about it from last week.

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Denver, Colorado, USA
    Posts
    966
    Like
    0
    Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    I think Gigi's co-driver should be lobbying very very hard to have those center nets put in the Focus....
    US Hillclimb and Rally Photos
    KevinHahnPhotography.com

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Posts
    9,431
    Like
    5
    Liked 18 Times in 12 Posts
    With nets between them, could the driver and co-driver still communicate with hand signals should the intercom fail?
    .................................................. ..................................................

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Slovenia
    Posts
    300
    Like
    0
    Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Nets are in case if driver and codriver want to have funny evening and go fishing with the car
    Waiting subbie to come back and maybe win:D

  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Barbados
    Posts
    40
    Like
    0
    Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    i rally and from the looks of it those nets would soo annoy me.. i think it causes more stress lets say one side u cant get out of and u have to crawl over the other side..now u got a net to navigate over

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Eindhoven
    Posts
    2,425
    Like
    0
    Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Pretty useless if you ask me. Can't remember anyone getting seriously hurt when something flew around after a crash (let alone a driver or codriver). Erki is quite right about the handsignals, which could be necessary when intercom failes. And what about onboard camera's between the drivers seats?

  10. #10
    Senior Member Brother John's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Mönsterås, Sweden
    Posts
    4,489
    Like
    13
    Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Josti
    Pretty useless if you ask me. Can't remember anyone getting seriously hurt when something flew around after a crash (let alone a driver or codriver). Erki is quite right about the handsignals, which could be necessary when intercom failes. And what about onboard camera's between the drivers seats?

    I agree Josti. It is also a political decision, a money question! Someone will make money...... F.I.A. maybe mokin:
    :cool: You Can´t Loose What Your Never Had.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •