Chest protection for road racing

[scott411]

did not even know this sort of armour existed, or there was a big call for it,

from MNZ new rules, looks like they are mandatory from 2018,

Chapter 8 – Safety Gear (Road)
8.1b
Road Racing, Road Hill Climbs & Record Attempts:
Safety Helmets - as per rule 8.2a
Boots - as per rule 8.3a
Clothing - Complete suits of leather or Kevlar.
Back Protectors - A certified back protector of composite material must be worn at all
times. The standard for chest, shoulder & back protectors is EN1621
Gloves - Leather only is approved.
Eye Protection - as per rule 8.2j
Chest Protectors – From January 1st 2018, a certified chest protector of composite material
must be worn at all times

[neil_cb125t]

Didnt see that coming........

[mr bucketracer]

did not even know this sort of armour existed, or there was a big call for it,

from MNZ new rules, looks like they are mandatory from 2018,

Chapter 8 – Safety Gear (Road)
8.1b
Road Racing, Road Hill Climbs & Record Attempts:
Safety Helmets - as per rule 8.2a
Boots - as per rule 8.3a
Clothing - Complete suits of leather or Kevlar.
Back Protectors - A certified back protector of composite material must be worn at all
times. The standard for chest, shoulder & back protectors is EN1621
Gloves - Leather only is approved.
Eye Protection - as per rule 8.2j
Chest Protectors – From January 1st 2018, a certified chest protector of composite material
must be worn at all times

bugger just having leather gloves ! I want kevlar in mine

[sidecar bob]

Which rule maker has stocks of them that they need to shift?
A difficult piece of kit for a competent sidecar passenger to wear without major upset.
A visor must now also remained closed when racing. Does that mean we can now protest someone for opening their visor because it has fogged up & have them excluded from the results? Slippery slope.

[Grumph]

bugger just having leather gloves ! I want kevlar in mine

No you don't - Kevlar grabs where leather slides. Which is why Kevlar ain't a good idea for "leathers"

Who's certifying the chest protectors ?

[Gremlin]

Don't know about you racing folk, but I've been wearing a chest protector along with the back protector (both Knox) since circa 2009ish ?

It will add bulk under the leathers, so depending on thickness and style if yours are tight fitting you could have issues. It also has an insulating factor, well, mine of solid construction does.

[rambaldi]

No you don't - Kevlar grabs where leather slides. Which is why Kevlar ain't a good idea for "leathers"

Who's certifying the chest protectors ?

So no titanium knuckle guards? Or what ever the material du jour is?

[scott411]

surprised to see it myself too, is there a big chest injury issue?

I know back protectors where to stop spinal injuries, was their alot of them before thee were made mandatory?

[sidecar bob]

surprised to see it myself too, is there a big chest injury issue?

I can't recall one in the last 25 years in road racing, but am happy to be proved wrong.

[Grumph]

I can't recall one in the last 25 years in road racing, but am happy to be proved wrong.

Last one i saw was before that timeframe - skinny guy went under an Armco barrier feet first. Broke his sternum.
If he'd had a chest protector. would it have ridden up and cut his throat ?

Maybe they're giving in to what's happening on the circuits - more concrete barriers....

More concrete, more protection needed ?

[Calvert86]

Standard in UK racing for a few years now...common types seem to be the slip in ones from alpinestars etc!?


Calvert86

[Grumph]

So no titanium knuckle guards? Or what ever the material du jour is?

I think that as long as the palms are leather, the add on knuckle guards are acceptable.

[jellywrestler]

Which rule maker has stocks of them that they need to shift?
A difficult piece of kit for a competent sidecar passenger to wear without major upset.
A visor must now also remained closed when racing. Does that mean we can now protest someone for opening their visor because it has fogged up & have them excluded from the results? Slippery slope.

solos are not allowed to wear the likes of basketball boots, yet swingers are allowed to, it's a simple case for the right people to put their case forward particularly on safety grounds and we can all be happy.

[jellywrestler]

I can't recall one in the last 25 years in road racing, but am happy to be proved wrong.

I seem to remember someone getting the old nipple cripple at one of the prizegivings one year, does that count?

[Kickaha]

A difficult piece of kit for a competent sidecar passenger to wear without major upset.

Only because you're too fat to be able to fit one under your leathers

Don't know about you racing folk, but I've been wearing a chest protector along with the back protector (both Knox) since circa 2009ish ?

I've been wearing the chest protector pictured for about a season now, easy for me to use because as a sidecar rider I don't move about in the sidecar much, used it on my trailbike as well with no problems

I can't recall one in the last 25 years in road racing, but am happy to be proved wrong.

Colin Hooper suffered major chest injuries in the accident that he died in, the ambo officer I spoke to at the scene said he hadn't ever seen anyone survive that type of injury