<VV> Importance of seat belts

[Sethracer at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/17/2008 1:10:51 PM Pacific Daylight Time,  
airvair at earthlink.net writes:

Therefore, I think that maybe this is a good opportunity for CORSA as  a
club to lead the way in requiring working seat belts for all passengers  in
ALL vehicles that are entered in any of its events. I think it would  allow
something positive to happen as a result of this  tragedy.

-Mark





In 1990, I was helping a member of our local club get his 1960 Corvair  
running corectly at the Corsa Convention in Ontario, CA. He needed a small part  
from a local Auto Parts store. I went with him to the store sitting on the right 
 side of the bench without a seat belt. Nothing happened, but I felt almost 
naked  riding without one. In case anyone doesn't know, Corsa (via our 
insurance  carrier), requires seat belts in any car in the Autocross competition, 
along  with a helmet for the driver and any passengers. The Corsa Concours rules  
specify that belts may be added to any car not originally equipped with  them 
- with absolutely no scoring penalty. Perhaps the Rally and the  Economy run 
rules (moving events) could have the seat belt rule added. I don't  remember 
which year that belts became standard, at least in the front. I  wouldn't have a 
car without them. I would be interested in hearing any opinions  or reasoning 
on why they shouldn't be used. I do agree that a belt would have  probably 
had no effect on the woman's injury, (based only on the photos) but a  belt 
would have kept the driver in place, perhaps reducing his injury. Oh, and  as far 
as personal rights to wear or not wear a belt, that is your  responsibility, 
until the possible liability ends up in the Corsa organization,  then it is 
ours. One other note - The likelihood of any injury at a Corsa event  is much  
higher for any event on a public road, than on a controlled,  designed surface 
such as an autocross. - Seth Emerson



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