In the Stix: Lack Of Safety In The Nation

Why Aren’t Fire-Retardant Gloves Mandatory?

By Jason Buckley

(Executive Editor’s Note:  The views expressed in this column are the views and opinions of the author of the article.  His views are not necessarily those of LegendsNation.com, its sponsors or other contributors.)

Racing is a dangerous sport.  No one can dispute that.  No matter what type of racing vehicles hit the track, there is always an element of danger.  Every series knows that, every racing facility knows that and every driver knows that.

That is why I am perplexed at the lack of safety measures some take when they hit the track.

A few weeks back at the Legends and Thunder Roadster Nationals in Las Vegas, a couple roadsters got together and had a wreck, which caused a fire inside one of the vehicles.  It was reported that the driver wasn’t wearing racing gloves and received some burns on his hands.

During the 2007 Summer Shootout, the crowd witnessed Thomas Van Wingerden’s Legends car burst into flames while he was on the track.  Van Wingerden was wearing safety gloves and wasn’t injured during the incident.

Is it that hard to figure out that all drivers should wear safety gloves when they race?

Over the years, I have heard the excuses.  Drivers complain that racing gloves aren’t comfortable or that they cannot feel the way the car is handling like they can with bare hands on the steering wheel.  So what!  A seat belt in a passenger car isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world either, but I wear one every time I get in a car, and it is what it is.  I’d rather be safe than sorry.

The drivers aren’t the only ones at fault here either.  For the younger drivers, the parents should require their children to wear racing gloves.  Not doing so shows a complete lack of discipline and direction from the parent, who should be teaching their children about life and safety, not how to be careless.

Thomas Van Wingerden saw his Legends car go up in flames at Lowe's Motor Speedway, but was ok because of his safety gear, including gloves.  (FASTrac Images)

Sometimes though, a driver (or their parent) will have that “it won’t happen to me” attitude by choosing to race without gloves.  That is where series and track officials come into play.  There shouldn’t be a series or racetrack anywhere in the world that should hold races of any kind without mandating safety gloves. 

After Van Wingerden’s wreck during the Summer Shootout, Roger Slack, Director of Events, announced in the next race driver’s meeting that fire-retardant gloves would be mandatory for the remainder of the Shootout.  While that was a decision I highly applauded, I was still baffled that they were not mandatory before that point.

In the 2007 INEX rulebook, helmets, fire suits, safety harnesses and specific race seats are mandatory, but not safety gloves.  Instead, flame-retardant gloves are on their “suggested” list.  INEX needs to step up to the plate for 2008 and make them mandatory.

Speaking of other safety equipment, gloves aren’t the only safety issue I have seen as an issue this season in the Legends and Bandolero realm.  I have seen drivers racing with helmets that look like they are old style motorcycle street wear that just doesn’t appear like it will hold up in a wreck.  I have seen drivers race with seats that just do not appear safe at all.  Also, do not get me started on the fire suits.  While some drivers get the best of the best, others seem to wear ripped and worn out uniforms.

Another issue, especially for the younger crowd, appears to be the overall use of the equipment and what they need to do in case there is a problem.  This season I have heard a few young drivers in various racing series complain that their safety belts were uncomfortable, so they leave them loose.  I have also seen a kid sit in his car after a wreck because he didn’t know how to get the steering wheel off himself so he could exit his car.  This is completely unacceptable.  A parent’s job is to parent their children and that includes understanding why safety equipment is needed, used and how to use it and everything else within the car when they are on the track.

There is absolutely no reason a driver should ever race without proper safety attire.  If the cost of the items is an issue, then the driver shouldn’t be racing in the first place.  If a driver values personal comfort over safety, they do not belong in a racing either.  Drivers, parents of drivers, series and tracks need to step up and make fire-retardant gloves mandatory as well as making sure all the rest of the safety gear used on the body and in the car is up to date, in good shape and the driver knows how to use them properly.

If any driver or parent of a driver is still unsure about racing gloves and why they are needed, seek out Tony Siscone, a Modified driver who learned his lesson.  In 1992 at Martinsville Speedway, Siscone’s car burst into flames during a nasty wreck.  He wasn’t wearing safety gloves, and received burns on his hands.  Thank goodness he was able to survive the wreck, but only after numerous operations and skin-graphs to his hands.  Do you really want to take that chance?

There are many companies out there that manufacture and supply safety equipment for the Legends and Bandolero nation, including BUTLERBuilt Professional Seat Systems and Impact! Racing gear (helmets, shoes, gloves, uniforms, etc).  I know personally from working with both companies through Speed51.com, LegendsNation.com and MotorsportsLounge.com that they all work closely to make sure their customers are safe, first and foremost, but they also try to make it as affordable as possible.

If you do not get right with safety now, you might never have a chance later.

Most drivers fear fire more than anything else when racing, so why do they all not wear flame-retardant gloves?   (51 Photo)

Modified driver Tony Siscone suffered burns to his hands in this 1982 Martinsville (VA) incident.  He wasn't wearing gloves.   (Howie Hodge Photo)