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Sorry to get offensive if I have. I can't find the article in the New England Journal Of Medicine that definitively states this is a safer way to remove your helmet to reduce strain on the neck. It makes sense to me though. The only time I could see this being bad is if you had a hole in your skull on the top that this would put pressure on while removing your helmet.
I can only assume the really large professional racing orgs ie. Nascar, NHRA, Motocross etc have researched this (just like I assume they do with other safety items such as 5 point harnesses, Leatt (sp) device, etc.) and agree that it is a safer alternative. I don't understand why it would take a roadracing org to approve it to make it ok with some of you. Neck, spinal injuries are neck spinal injuries whether your helmet is on during dirt racing, car racing, road racing, skydiving, competitive jello wrestling, etc. I can see some resistance to a new thing but "dead set against" something means you would pretty much rather just die than try this.
My helmets fit damn tight. But they seem to cradle my head around the top and sides, and leave some room on the very top. Easily a half inch between the top of my head and the FOAM, obviously not the padding all the way around. I have always wore Arai so I don't know if other helmets are like this. I know how to size my helmet.
I understand the passion around change. Every year it is something different. Costs went up with transponders and infield fees. But they used to require AMA membership which cost money and they don't anymore. They wave the $25.00 infield fee if you register for 3 races. They seem to be trying to offset some costs. I'm sure when they mandated wearing leathers decades ago some people fought it. But this seems like a genuine attempt at additional safety and not some big conspiracy to make a bazillion bucks and prove the man can control you whenever he wants. Look at all the airfence they bought. They did add gravel traps in some areas. Do I wish there weren't any walls? Of course! Do I wish I didn't have to spend oodles on new bodywork and a tank because of the stripe/whatever is happening in turn 1A? You bet.
This is why I try to stay out of most of these off season rants because it makes me passionate too. I don't have cash flowing from my pockets either. why do you think I race production classes? But I let myself go off half cocked and hit the send button anyway, where usually I will wait til the next day and screw replying!
This seems like a common sense safety device to me. Maybe not so much to others. I'll leave it at that!
Mark Dages 454