With good instructions, I think no limit is absolutely needed. In thinking back on all the tragic incidents we have had, I can't think of one where the speed of the roads was the primary cause. In the cases I can recall, the primary causes have been very bad luck, 2 cage problems, and drivers going to fast for conditions or the road.
In recent years, the most unsafe I have felt was flying over big yumps at Sno*Drift as some pretty good speed, with landings on icy surfaces; a bit sideways and we would have been off into the trees. The appropriate solution, however, is not to change the roads but to give the co-driver (me in that case) an ignition kill switch.
Having said that, it is part of the laws of physics that if you double speed, you quadruple the energy to be dissipated to deccelerate to zero. So, slower roads ARE inherently safer. But how to find the roads with slower speeds at all is the problem. So practically, at least at STPR, Maine, and CT, we can't do much to change the situation.
If one were to impose speed limits, I think it is important to start on the Club Rallys where there are less experienced drivers.
One more thought: We have a lot of things in our favor compared to a lot of track racing venues. I think our limited number or tragedies is due to the speeds that we do run, and the type of racing that we do.
- If you race on a track (except short ovals), you reach higher speeds, and have MUCH more energy to dissipate in a wreck.
- If you spin on a track and go off on the grass, you hit the wall or barrier with almost the same speed as you lift the track, as grass presents presents a coefficient of friction to racing slicks that is similar to greased doggie doo. If you slide on a dirt road, you can lose a lot of speed before reaching that tree.
- Add the fact the trees are whizzing by at 80+ mph, and I think we all slow down a bit.
A long answer.....
Mark B.
