Thanks guys - this is a long time coming for all classes of Motorsports. My son is part of the pit crew and when anyone is hurt, everyone is hugely affected. Safety has come a long way, but there is so much more that can be done without spoiling the excitement or fun of racing. I hope more and more step up and get on board with this.
Just a thought i drew up a rough sketch of what i believe would be like a hans device for the spine. It would essentially keep tension on the spine by keeping it a little pulled in each direction up and down so that in the event of a compression impact it does not compress.
How about a rigid spring or set of springs between the bottom of the seat and the chassis? I understand they're bolted together, but springs could be part of that mount. Not talking about an air ride system; talking about a spring a driver wouldn't notice unless the force is enough to break their back.
You need a separate safety coffin from the frame. Everything mounted integrally. Its doable but would add a lot of weight. It also would subjects the drivers potentially to weird movements inside the car while racing. Could have breakaway safety fuses that release at certain G's...moving into some unknown areas here.
Ted with the WOO was approached back in 90 or 91 to have a team like the Safety Safari that the NHRA has; as you can see, track safety varies depending where you go....ask Doug Wolfgang.
I used to race with Kevin when he was a kid in the micro midgets 600 cc class Sammy would set his car up he was good back then Sammy would go all the way to the staging lane with his wrenches to set his car up