Sad news today for the loss of Jose Santiago Soto " el buzo" RIP my friend

[chupakabras]

almost all if not all off road trucks roll cages are not build for side impacts, right? maybe we need something like nascar roll cages,

[SPONSOR]

Membership in the largest desert racing community has its advantages - Participate in Forum Discussions - Send and Receive Private Messages - Maintain Public Photo Albums - Access to Groups - User Profile in our Social Network - Increased Access to more Sub Forums - Reduced Online Advertisements Join our community today

[B-Dub 1020]

Wow with everything about weight in new cars being built kinda makes ya wonder if there should be a minimum. So sad to see

[Baja Bryan]

Getting hit like that was kind of a freak accident. I think Jimco is one of the best chassis in the business and it is as safe as any other chassis You should see the class 12 car. The whole front end was ripped off. But it is true offroad cars are not protected very well from side impact. I think for sure something from nascar could be incorporated. I dont think a few more tubes is going to add to much weight. I hope the top chassis builders see these pics and add something to protect driver and passenger better.

[mexracer10]

Yes your right t-bone type collisions are rare in desert racing, but when they do happen they are catastrophic, there have been other race cars who have been in similar collisions with similar outcomes in the past with out name dropping, that's probably one of the weakest points of a car to get hit other than being on its side and getting t-boned on the roof. Maybe a web type structure like pictured will help prevent this from happening again question is will the builders do so?

[B-Dub 1020]

Bryan I agree, we have a Jimco also. It is very well built. I was just saying it makes you think about adding a couple tubes in the door area even though I do not think it would have helped in this situation. Freak accidents happen, even to the safest vehicles built on or off road.

[Baja Bryan]

I think a bunch of tubes like in a Nascar would of saved his life. But nothing is 100% safe..

[AZ45]

I’d say freak accident too, not that NASCAR bars wouldn’t be a good idea. I’d say if you’re worried about safety, there are plenty of other things that you could address that are hurting people without redesigning your car. It seems that when cars are built they are designed around winning, then the safety stuff is added on.

My short list-
Fire system that is accessible from inside and outside of the car (with the safety pin pulled before the race!)
Prepping the fire system by blowing out the lines
Low Pressure fuel pump cutoff switch
No oil sump can/lines in the driver area
Proper seat and belt set up
Adjustable or multiple crotch straps if there are driver/passenger changes
SFI rated roll bar padding, not the pipe insulation style that most use.
Proper clearances between your body parts and the cage and other cockpit equipment
Multi layer fire suits
Fire resistant shoes and gloves
SA rated helmets
Have occupants know basic first aid and CPR
Escape plan for car(upright and up-side down).
Easily removable nets window nets
Safety knife to cut nets and belts that is accessible from inside and outside of the car

[Baja Bryan]

I’d say freak accident too, not that NASCAR bars wouldn’t be a good idea. I’d say if you’re worried about safety, there are plenty of other things that you could address that are hurting people without redesigning your car. It seems that when cars are built they are designed around winning, then the safety stuff is added on.

My short list-
Fire system that is accessible from inside and outside of the car (with the safety pin pulled before the race!)
Prepping the fire system by blowing out the lines
Low Pressure fuel pump cutoff switch
No oil sump can/lines in the driver area
Proper seat and belt set up
Adjustable or multiple crotch straps if there are driver/passenger changes
SFI rated roll bar padding, not the pipe insulation style that most use.
Proper clearances between your body parts and the cage and other cockpit equipment
Multi layer fire suits
Fire resistant shoes and gloves
SA rated helmets
Have occupants know basic first aid and CPR
Escape plan for car(upright and up-side down).
Easily removable nets window nets
Safety knife to cut nets and belts that is accessible from inside and outside of the car

Lot a great ideas. I like the practice getting out of the car. Twice I've been in a race car on the passenger side were the only way out was waiting for the driver to get out first. If the car was on fire and the driver knocked out we would be dead.

[Baja Bryan]

This is the other car.

[bajabird]

I’d say freak accident too, not that NASCAR bars wouldn’t be a good idea. I’d say if you’re worried about safety, there are plenty of other things that you could address that are hurting people without redesigning your car. It seems that when cars are built they are designed around winning, then the safety stuff is added on.

My short list-
Fire system that is accessible from inside and outside of the car (with the safety pin pulled before the race!)
Prepping the fire system by blowing out the lines
Low Pressure fuel pump cutoff switch
No oil sump can/lines in the driver area
Proper seat and belt set up
Adjustable or multiple crotch straps if there are driver/passenger changes
SFI rated roll bar padding, not the pipe insulation style that most use.
Proper clearances between your body parts and the cage and other cockpit equipment
Multi layer fire suits
Fire resistant shoes and gloves
SA rated helmets
Have occupants know basic first aid and CPR
Escape plan for car(upright and up-side down).
Easily removable nets window nets
Safety knife to cut nets and belts that is accessible from inside and outside of the car

I practice this Jeff. I welcome you to check my car as x 10 for the safety of all who are in it.
Thank you for the reminder my friend.


This has been a sad weekend. Hindsight about health and safety are so meaningful.

Godspeed our fellow racers.