Jack et al,
We had a serious accident a few years ago in VSCCA, when a Fraser Nash
(chain drive) locked the rear axle, spun, & rolled/flipped. The driver had
multiple injuries, including puncture wound of his cheek (clear through to
inside of mouth) because the wood-rim wheel split & raw edge punctured him.
The steering wheel was whipped back & forth by the front wheels impacting
the ground. The wheels was the more dangerous type design, without a solid
steel rim -- just unsupported wood between the spokes. Of course, the
situation was influenced by the fact that it was a Pre-war car, no roll bar,
therefore no shoulder straps, and the driver was using an open-face helmet.
I make no judgements on the decisions that driver made about his equipment,
I am just reporting the facts & outcome for the benefit of others who may be
considering a wooden wheel.
Regards,
Mark Palmer
>From: JWoesvra@aol.com
>Reply-To: JWoesvra@aol.com
>To: LenPicton@aol.com
>CC: vintage-race@autox.team.net
>Subject: Re: steering wheel
>Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 11:12:28 EDT
>
>In a message dated 09/14/2001 6:42:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time, LenPicton
>writes:
>
>
> > Jack,
> > I have heard that some vintage organizations have banned wood rim
>steering
> > wheels. they were such an integral part of the past that I find this
> > shocking. Would I be welcome in svra with a wood rim wheel on my
>Turner?
> >
>
>Certainly! I find it disturbing that many organizations ban things without
>doing the research to discover why.
>
>In the case of wooden rimmed steering wheels; there are some that can be a
>hazard.
>
>The ones with a one piece 360 degree metal ring and spoke unit that has the
>wood attached with rivets are acceptable. These should be checked
>periodically for delamination or loosening of the wood. They should be
>revarnished whenever the finish becomes worn.
>
>There are many newer wheels that do not have a 360 degree outer rim. These
>only have a T-shaped spoke and most of the rim is unsupported wood. This
>type
>of steering wheel has been reported to splinter and cause an obvious crash
>hazard. If we see one of these we will advise the driver to change to a
>better design.
>
>In actual fact, either style probably could be a hazard when compared to
>the
>newer padded units. The message here is to look carefully at your steering
>wheel and I think you can determine for your self whether it satisfies your
>own standard for safety vs. originality.
>
>Jack Woehrle
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