Bryan is right, the safest setup with regards to minimizing "water bucketing" is an open face with the jacket/shoulder harnesses. The downside is you don't have any jaw/facial protection and goggles (and maybe even a visor) then comes into play as well.
Most of the jet drivers in my dads family (they raced coast to coast back in the 70s and early 80s) chose full face helmets (including my dad). Back then they weren't required to have the helmet restraints either. One uncle who ran the fastest class of jets (Fuel) ALWAYS preferred open faces and goggles. Sadly we lost him in blowover in Starkville, MS (against Dan Pastorini) that even split his helmet. But it was always agreed that the impact broke his neck and EITHER style of helmet would've failed and even if it wouldn't have split he still would've suffered the broken neck.
I always drag around a full face but it's mainly for cold weather and rain running. I also like to think that most of us running simple bassboats aren't as likely to actually end up wet or in a blowover as much as we are likely to get tossed into a console or side of the boat. In either case, any helmet should suffice, but if we DO go over the side I think I'd rather be FREE of the helmet. :help
I know from motorcycle crash studies that there are as many arguements FOR full faces as there are AGAINST them. One arguement says that the chin bar presents a "lever" that when hit just right can put the head/neck in a severe enough angle and rebound that breakage of the neck is assured. Some would say in such a situation, "I'll take a smashed jaw/face and survive with my open face over instant death with a full face". Then some will say, live fast, die young and leave a good lookin corpse. :cool
Technology is a WONDERFUL thing and while not 100% fool proof, I think the casuality incidence rates in dragboat racing HAS declined over the last 20 years with the implementation of cockpits in the pro classes, better safety equipment and more rules REQUIRING those pieces of equipment. I know you give up some visibility with the best protection, but it's only for a few seconds and you're going straight anyway so in the end what difference does it make???
BE CAREFUL GUYS, I consider everyone on here a bud and racing funerals SUCK A$$!!! :very sad
RA
ps
I'm sure if Dale Sr. were able to speak with us today he'd have something different to say about the HANS device than he did before his accident. The couple extra pounds a helmet weighs DOES have an affect on the spine during a severe impact. That "Basal Spine Fracture" incidence goes up CONSIDERABLY with a skid lid so even that shows NOTHING is without risk. Add a lil protection here, lose a lil protection there. Aint life a beatch?
