Feel safe at the track without safety equipment?
 

Do you feel safe tracking the twins without safety equipment - cage, hans, seats, etc.? I am looking to liquidate my track, autox, & daily driver into one car - the BRZ or FR-S. My main concern is safety at the track. Granted I do not see myself heading back to the track anytime soon, atleast not until I move to California (1.5yrs out)... so the BRZ will be the autox & DD in the near future. I would like to avoid selling an already setup track car, only to start over again with the heats, harness, etc.

Yes and No...

I feel safe because I'm not racing the car and therefore am not seeking those last tenths (or hell even seconds). Can something happen? Absolutely. That's a risk I am taking and it's why I'm leaving all the OEM safety systems in place. However we all know that the chance of something going wrong goes up quite a bit the more you push so I do hold back more than I do in the race car (which of course has a cage, fire suppression, HANS being worn, containment seat, etc).

Honestly I'm toying with the idea of a full DE toy car which will have safety equipment in it but I like tracking the BRZ too much so far to do so :)

Unless you have a full HALO seat + 6 point + HANS (or similar) + airbag delete, you're probably better off leaving everything alone.

My only wish is to make a custom rail to lower the stock seat. The stock seat, frankly, is AWESOME for lateral support. 5'7", ~170lbs, and it fits me perfectly.

-Mike

I know to leave all OEM. But do you feel safe with OEM equipment?

I've only been to one track event (last weekend, still working on a writeup/videos from NOLA Motorsports park), but I felt safe out there on the track with OEM safety features. And the first day it was wet. Might feel different on a different track, but I doubt it.

I'd feel better with a roll bar, but that would go for any car. We haven't really seen any roll-overs with the FR-S/BRZ, so who knows how strong the A/B pillars are.

On the other hand, Subarus are known for exceptionally strong chassis...

We're back to discussing this again? lol :popcorn:
Aren't you building a STR s2k CR right now?

i have never feared for my life on a race track and i don't have any safety equipment outside my helmet.

i have, however, felt deep and crippling fear for my bank account whenever the car got squirly or (on rare occasions) left the pavement.

Nothing wrong with bringing a STR CR to SoCal... we have a GINORMOUS autox population (and an equally large track population...)

And it's just another thread for us to occupy the day with :p

Yea this is what happens when I don't drive the car for months. Stupid winter! I know I'll change my mind after the first autox event.
lol :D

I've noticed some AutoX guys come to the dark side.... :D

I'd go to the track over autox if I were in SoCal. It's cheaper to track & there are tons of competitors. :thumbsup: Plus it's like the wild west, there are no safety restrictions. lol

I could be on the track in the FRS completely naked at speed and feel safer than I do driving in traffic in WA State.

Just Sayin'

LOL I'm not sure I'd brag about that part.