AREND’S NEW FORMULA ONE CONNECTION
Wed, 2010-06-30 14:00
Jeff Arend is pretty proud of the safety equipment surrounding him when he straps into the Kalitta Motorsports DHL Funny Car. However, there’s one piece of equipment which is closest to his mind which makes him very comfortable.
When Arend says it’s on his mind, he means it literally.
Arend is just one of a few drivers using the Sparco Formula One-style helmet when he straps into his Funny Car.
piece of equipment which is closest to his mind which makes him very comfortable.
When Arend says it’s on his mind, he means it literally.
Arend is just one of a few drivers using the Sparco Formula One-style helmet when he straps into his Funny Car.
“SPARCO has come out with a helmet, basically a Formula One helmet, and there are only six manufacturers in the world that can make it to Formula One specifications,” said Arend. “It's called an 8860. It's just a safer deal. A lot better than the SNELL rating. SPARCO came up with a real nice one and I talked to them and decided to implement it into the Funny Car, because Kalitta is all about safety and you want to wear the best you can.”
Arend pointed out he didn’t just strap the helmet on once it arrived. The unit was sent to Safety Solutions, who then added the skirt and fresh air system. Once back in his hands, Arend had nothing but praise for the new helmet.
“The visor locks a lot better; very light, pure carbon, very strong,” Arend said. “You can't even deflect the helmet in at all if you push on it. It's kind of the latest greatest thing. If we can keep advancing that safety technology, we're going to.”
The structural integrity adds a bonus for Arend and when it was put to the test last season at a Formula One race, he was given all the inspiration he needed to try it in a drag racing setting.
“I believe some helmets, depending on what they’re made of, are made to flex a little bit to take some impact,” said Arend. “But, this is made out of like pure carbon fiber deal, and they're made to have the structural integrity.”
“When one of the Formula One guys got hit in the head by a coil spring. I think a regular helmet, he probably would have been dead. But, even though it hurt the guy a little bit, it did not go through the helmet and kept the guy okay. That was all back to this 8816 certification they have to have.”
Arend believes this new helmet provides the best of both worlds, strength and because it is also lighter, not as much of a burden on his neck during a long race day.
“You figure you have seven negative g's when you hit the parachutes,” explained Arend. “Your head with the helmet on probably weights 20-25 pounds. If you have 150 pounds of force pushing your head forward; if you can make it lighter it's going to be easier on your neck and everything.”
And for Arend, having the lighter and stronger piece; goes a long way to providing peace of mind.
When Arend says it’s on his mind, he means it literally.
Arend is just one of a few drivers using the Sparco Formula One-style helmet when he straps into his Funny Car.
Jeff Arend is pretty proud of the safety equipment surrounding him when he straps into the Kalitta Motorsports DHL Funny Car. However, there’s one
Jeff Arend shows off his new Sparco Formula One style helmet designed for drag racing. In the background was another new item Arend debut in Norwalk, the newest Toyota Celica body. This new body is 40 to 50 pounds lighter than the previous unit they have been using for most of this season.
When Arend says it’s on his mind, he means it literally.
Arend is just one of a few drivers using the Sparco Formula One-style helmet when he straps into his Funny Car.
“SPARCO has come out with a helmet, basically a Formula One helmet, and there are only six manufacturers in the world that can make it to Formula One specifications,” said Arend. “It's called an 8860. It's just a safer deal. A lot better than the SNELL rating. SPARCO came up with a real nice one and I talked to them and decided to implement it into the Funny Car, because Kalitta is all about safety and you want to wear the best you can.”
Arend pointed out he didn’t just strap the helmet on once it arrived. The unit was sent to Safety Solutions, who then added the skirt and fresh air system. Once back in his hands, Arend had nothing but praise for the new helmet.
“The visor locks a lot better; very light, pure carbon, very strong,” Arend said. “You can't even deflect the helmet in at all if you push on it. It's kind of the latest greatest thing. If we can keep advancing that safety technology, we're going to.”
The structural integrity adds a bonus for Arend and when it was put to the test last season at a Formula One race, he was given all the inspiration he needed to try it in a drag racing setting.
“I believe some helmets, depending on what they’re made of, are made to flex a little bit to take some impact,” said Arend. “But, this is made out of like pure carbon fiber deal, and they're made to have the structural integrity.”
“When one of the Formula One guys got hit in the head by a coil spring. I think a regular helmet, he probably would have been dead. But, even though it hurt the guy a little bit, it did not go through the helmet and kept the guy okay. That was all back to this 8816 certification they have to have.”
Arend believes this new helmet provides the best of both worlds, strength and because it is also lighter, not as much of a burden on his neck during a long race day.
“You figure you have seven negative g's when you hit the parachutes,” explained Arend. “Your head with the helmet on probably weights 20-25 pounds. If you have 150 pounds of force pushing your head forward; if you can make it lighter it's going to be easier on your neck and everything.”
And for Arend, having the lighter and stronger piece; goes a long way to providing peace of mind.
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