Roll bar padding ... another look.

For the last 2 years I have been running a roll bar in Hyde and I have been using the off-the-shelf affordable padding that is sold at a local race shop.

I think this stuff was $3-5 for a a couple of feet.
Super cheap and it passed tech ... but is it safe?
I honestly have no idea, but in the name of safety I am willing to check out new products.

I got into a discussion with Charles from www.safedrives.com on this subject and many others related to safety issues.

As I am progressing more and more into racing with the getting faster and faster, the very real probability is there that I might need to find out how good my safety equipment is in a real word situation. I hate that thought, but I would be foolish to not consider in the realm of potentialities.

I just received some new padding for Hyde's roll bar. BSCI makes a padding that seems to be significantly safer than what I am currently using.

Safe Drives has it available here:
http://www.safedrives.com/proddetail.asp?prod=SFIPad&cat=72
and here:
http://www.safedrives.com/proddetail.asp?prod=FIApad&cat=72
Please tell them Jekyl Hyde Racing sent you if you contact them :)

Roll bar padding is not just roll bar padding. Tests have proven that roll bar padding plays a vital role in decreasing the potential of serious injury in crashes.

The BSCI padding set the industry standards for quality and proven additional safety.

The materials used to manufacture the BSCI padding were formulated to absorb impact, which in turn reduces impact energy received by the driver.

Meets the 201.U and 302 standard of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for head impact protection. This is the only roll bar padding that we know of that has been tested to meet this standard.

Since Hyde is mainly a race car now I got the "better" padding, but for a street car they recommend the FIA spec padding. It's a bit thicker and as such will absorb more energy in an impact.

As we do the winter work to Hyde (500+ rwhp, rehashing the brake system and freshening up the suspension), a strong hard look at Hyde's safety is also going to happen. I am pleased to announce that Charles and www.safedrives.com has signed on as a 2006 sponsor of Jekly Hyde Racing and I look forward to their help with my winter "safety check."

I live to race, but I will do everything I can to avoid dying along the way.

I like these write ups of yours, they're always informative, thanks Jeff.

wait...so hot water piping insulation from home depot held on with duct tape isnt good enough?
damn it!

Thanks Josh.


wait...so hot water piping insulation from home depot held on with duct tape isnt good enough?
It might be for your head :p

... as they say,

"A $5 helmet for a $5 head."

:D

ptshh, your giving my head that much credit?

wait...so hot water piping insulation from home depot held on with duct tape isnt good enough?
damn it!
Since I work in the plumbing department at The Home Depot, I feel the need to step in here...most of the time, the insulation is used for gas piping, not water :screwy:
:icon16:

...most of the time, the insulation is used for gas piping, not water
Which piping did you use for your intake & exhaust? :p


... sorry ... I need to stop teasing you guys today.


... runs, ducks and Hydes ...

Which piping did you use for your intake & exhaust? :p


... sorry ... I need to stop teasing you guys today.


... runs, ducks and Hydes ...
Hey hey hey now, it was just the intake :icon16:
And it was 3" ABS sewage drain pipe, thank you very much :lol2:

That's interesting. I just have the Jegs brand padding in my car (you can see it in the picture). Its non-SFI certified, but there is no tech rules requring roll bar padding, so that really doesn't matter.

Now there is SFI 45.1 approved padding. JAZ makes it (3 ft. is $23.99) as does Simpson ($22.99 for 3 ft.).

I'm sure one is probably better then another, but I think ANY padding beats none.

we insulate our water pipes...id does actually get below freezing in florida...hot and cold, cold to keep from freezing and hot for obvious reasons ;)