Enclosed Cockpit Safety

[Dr. X]

Unlimited hydros and Grand Prix boats have moved to fixed canopies with ingress and egress through a hatch in the top (a concept pioneered on the Crag Arfons water speed record boat). Drag boats have stayed with a hinged canopy. However, given a number of failures in drag boat capsules, I'm wondering if the time has come for drag boat racers to consider adopting a fixed canopy.

 

[Ratickle]

WOuld there be a way to handle the start wait where they hold onto the rope?

 

[Dr. X]

WOuld there be a way to handle the start wait where they hold onto the rope?

That's a good question. Might depend on which way the hatch is hinged. It seems like if the hatch were hinged on the side so that the driver could hold the rope behind the hatch that might work okay.