Neck Brace Mandatory ?

[HenryW]

It struck me when spectating at Glasgow yesterday that, even though we can't have air fences down the straights, there must be a better option. The fence at Glasgow funnily enough was almost mesh, with the usual tyres/flexible posts behind it, you wouldn't want to hit it but it'd probably absorb some impact anyway. The answer is surely not having a solid wooden fence running along the straight of a speedway track.

I could be wrong but it seems that the fences on the straights at most uk tracks are far superior to those in Poland.

 

Here the fences are flexible and give a bit, even the ones that are wooden. Most of the ones I have seen in Poland are solid wood with solid steel supports behind them...maybe Poland needs to look at changing some of their fences to make things a little safer...

Edited August 31, 2015 by HenryW

[Navigator1900]

So Emil Sayfutdinov seems to have long experience with neck braces. Ask him for advice, print in the Speedway Star .....

[Ghostwalker]

In Sweden, the fences along the straights are regular mesh fence with a thin wooden plywood like (formplyfa) board outside.

 

This is the same at all tracks since it is specified in the rules.

[f-s-p]

In Sweden, the fences along the straights are regular mesh fence with a thin wooden plywood like (formplyfa) board outside.

 

This is the same at all tracks since it is specified in the rules.

I doubt that.

[mothorsen]

I wonder why riders like Hancock and Pedersen has used them and stopped after a while. What's the reason? Also you have Bunyans airbag suit from -14. That didn't catch on either

[Ghostwalker]

I doubt that.

 

No need. Read the rules. Rules 9. *, particularly rule 9.2.1 and *9.7.1.3.

 

For straights formplywood 16-25mm thick, but apparently no mesh fence on the straights anymore.

 

However these specifications are mandatory for every 500cc track that is used for league racing and competitions.

So of those tracks that still are in use in Sweden, all tracks except one or two, have use this construction.

Otherwise they would not be approved for league racing and competitions.

[Tsunami]

TBF, that's not what he said. He was right that there is no scientific evidence. And you'll never get any for this kind of equipment.

Maybe not for speedway, but there must be data from it's other use, and that is to protect falling workers on a building site. My point was that it surely is a non brainer, that given a choice, a rider would wish an air fence every time to give him protection. You don't need data for that, just good common sense.

[Humphrey Appleby]

On our forum over here one chap states, that the airfence's are part of the problem. These young guns of the modern world are somewhat used to hitting the airfence and standing up 5 mins later to just dust themselves and move on. The risks that riders take today are bigger than 15 years ago.

That may be true, but better to still have the safety features in place. I remember when cricket batting helmets were introduced, all the old timers claimed that it allowed batsmen to play shots with less caution, and no doubt many will point out that it didn't prevent Phil Hughes from dying. However, what they fail to take into account is how many batsmen struck on the head have walked away with minimal damage.

 

It struck me when spectating at Glasgow yesterday that, even though we can't have air fences down the straights, there must be a better option. The fence at Glasgow funnily enough was almost mesh, with the usual tyres/flexible posts behind it, you wouldn't want to hit it but it'd probably absorb some impact anyway. The answer is surely not having a solid wooden fence running along the straight of a speedway track.

It's surely not beyond the bounds of possibility to have crushable barrier material with some sort of semi-rigid wall attached to it along the straights? So riders won't get pulled into the fence but there's some give if they hit it beyond anything but the most shallow angle.

Edited September 1, 2015 by Humphrey Appleby

[Ozrik]

Shouldn't safety in speedway be an on going debate, with an attitude of constant improvement the aim. Other sports are concerned with things like concussion injuries. Surely there is someone in speedway trying to implement safer materials and construction of safety fences. Maybe they need

more leadership in terms of standardisation and regulation from central authorities like the FIM. Especially so for new tracks and renovations.

[f-s-p]

No need. Read the rules. Rules 9. *, particularly rule 9.2.1 and *9.7.1.3.

 

For straights formplywood 16-25mm thick, but apparently no mesh fence on the straights anymore.

 

However these specifications are mandatory for every 500cc track that is used for league racing and competitions.

So of those tracks that still are in use in Sweden, all tracks except one or two, have use this construction.

Otherwise they would not be approved for league racing and competitions.

 

You said mesh fence on the straight, now you changed it to plywood. There's a huge difference. How thin it is, thats opinions. 4 mm is thin, 16mm is thick. In my professional opinion.

[Bream]

Few years ago in AMA Motocross, everyone had a somekind of toilet seat strapped around their necks. Now, just a few guys have them.

[Ghostwalker]

You said mesh fence on the straight, now you changed it to plywood.

 

Yes and no. Pre-airfence there was mesh fence around the entire track which was kept with the airfence was introduced. Then initially with the plywood, the mesh fence along the

straights was kept but apparently it has since been removed. IIRC the wood along the straight was tested at one or two tracks (Eskilstuna and possible a few more) for one or two seasons before becoming

mandatory and back then the mesh fence was still there.

[f-s-p]

 

Yes and no. Pre-airfence there was mesh fence around the entire track which was kept with the airfence was introduced. Then initially with the plywood, the mesh fence along the

straights was kept but apparently it has since been removed. IIRC the wood along the straight was tested at one or two tracks (Eskilstuna and possible a few more) for one or two seasons before becoming

mandatory and back then the mesh fence was still there.

Not really keeping up... = )

 

When I get to it, "my" track will have mesh in the curves, and plywood on the straights. This would be ok according to the current rules. I'm expecting changes though during the winter... So we'll see...