Ribcage protection

[flatOVERcrest]

I though I would share I have used one for a few events now, under my racesuit. In the past 7 years I have suffered two accidents where the heavy side impact with a tree/ditch has pushed the bolstering of the seat on the sides of my ribcage, which is a type injury that always leaves you in severe pain for weeks..It really sucks. (typical injury that kart drivers are subject to)
This vest seems to do the job and while it's one more thing to carry and remember to wear before the start of a stage, I'm now used to.

http://www.ribtect.com/images/galleries/vest/vest_05.jpg

[BenSlocum]

I was expecting a huge price tag, but google turns up results in the $199 retail range.

What is your range of movement with the vest? In the car I don't see much issue except for the odd angled extraction after an off road excursion, but what about outside of the car? It doesn't seem like something you can slip on and off like a HANS, making it more of an entire event device versus just in car.

[Do It Sidewayz]

You can get these things way less than $199.

There are about a zillion products like this around, they are mandatory in karting.

As someone who karted for 10+ years, you just slip one of these things under your suit, and call it a day.

[flatOVERcrest]

What is your range of movement with the vest? In the car I don't see much issue except for the odd angled extraction after an off road excursion, but what about outside of the car? It doesn't seem like something you can slip on and off like a HANS, making it more of an entire event device versus just in car.

I put it on before the start of SS1 (when I put on hans, balaclava and helmet - while outside of the car waiting to check-in at the TC) and take it off before entering the first service and store it together with helmets and Hans devices in the back of the car.. and so on during the day of racing. Being made mostly of texture, it folds small.
It's not obstructive while on stage. It felt weird on the first event, then you get used to, just like the Hans.

[Scuba Steve]

This looks like a great idea. We rolled in July and up until recently I was still feeling the pain from my broken ribs:(

[BajaBill]

I,m bitting my tongue:p

Not sure what to say?

If you are that worried....Maybe you should look at another sport:D

Bill Holmes
Truck #44

[BenSlocum]

Personally, I'm not "worried" in the sense that I might die. I know there is a risk in the sport and I accept it. But I've cracked ribs in an impact, and to avoid more than a month of severe pain every time I breathe for roughly $200, it seems worth it.

[hoche]

I crack ribs more often playing hockey (about once a year) than rallying (never), but I'm thankful to Alex for pointing this device out. I didn't know such a thing existed until now.

[jimmy]

Whenever I go karting I end up hurting in places I didn't know I had places. I always thought was because kart seats were a "universal" size, which meant they fit no one (well, there are 2 sizes - regular and wide-body). Plus there are no belts in karts, so you are bracing yourself with your body.

Thanks Alex.

press on,

[flatOVERcrest]

A follow up on this old thread. After Dennis Giraudet's accident in Germany (Hinkelstein hit on the side of the car, fractured ribs due to hit from the bolstering of the seat), I decided to wear the rib protector on WRC events as well. I spoke to the FIA safety stewards at the last event in France and they were concerned by the fact that the protector itself is not fireproof.
They told me that an option may be to wear the protector in between two nomex undersuit shirts. I'll show them the "setup" in Spain and they will decide if they can allow it or not.
Will post follow up in the next weeks.

[Abington Rally]

Thanks for the follow up, Alex, I look forward to hearing what the stewards have to say!

[A.Searle]

I would hope they would allow you to wear it underneath fireproof layers. I fit myself to kart seats wearing a rib protector and a suit. And I move around a lot in the seat without it to the point that I am not comfortable. Did you have to switch to a slightly larger seat to fit with a rib protector? Or is there enough flex in the padding of the seat to just squeeze in there?

[sachilles]

Might you be able to find a seamstress that could sew on a layer of nomex around the device? Or perhaps duplicate it using nomex fabric?

[AlexGelsomino]

Guys, to finish this discussion, FIA has approved my request, last week in Sweden.
On top of the nomex shirt and under the driving suit.

[RichardM]

By golly, a bureaucrat shows some common sense.

[Lancia037Rally]

I've broken ribs rallying. Was a long painful drive home and I'm still paying/feeling it in my old age. No fun.