We raced a Datsun 2000 in D Production in the mid 1970s. I put 2 Safety
Brakers on it after the first year and the braking performance improved
drastically. Then we raced an SCCA Vee for a few years and it had them also.
10++ years ago we bought an RCA Formula Vee to vintage race. It had 2 Safety
Brakers on it and I left them on. Braking is one of my (few) (or maybe only)
strong points and I can usually out brake all the other Vees. I can honestly
say that I have never had a wheel lock up under braking with them on the cars.
They have saved a lot of flat spotted tires.
That reminds me of a great Mario Andretti line. When asked about how hard he
uses the brakes, Mario replied, "If your eyeballs ain't rubbing on your visor,
you ain't braking hard enough."
Dick Ryan 650-312-4022 (24022)
Director of Risk Management
Franklin Templeton Investments
One Franklin Parkway 960/4
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
Fax 650-312-5830 (25830)
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-vintage-race@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-vintage-race@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Hugh Barber
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 10:50 AM
To: 'Dick Sparta'
Cc: vintage-race@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: Safety Braker
Dick,
The "Safety Braker" was an add-on device that appeared in the early 70's.
It was sort of a poor-man's ABS - but its not really an ABS system, as there
are no sensors to detect lock up. Its purpose was to dampen "pulsations"
that, according to the manufacturer, occur just before brake lock up and in
effect stop/inhibit brake lock up. The manufacturer's instructions said
that if you only used one, you should install it in the front brake line,
but recommended two (one for front/one for rear). As I recall, in 1973,
they retailed for about $70 each. My Dad installed a set in his Jaguar
racer in the early 70's and in fact, still is using them today. I don't
think that SCCA ever "recommended" them, but in fact just approved their
use. Safety Brakers are mention in the car prep book "How to Make Your Car
Handle". The original company went bye-bye, but a similar device is
marketed today by a company called Brake Guard Systems. They market their
product to Motorhomes and RVs, but have run afoul of the FTC and NHTSA for
improperly referring to their product as an ABS system.
http://www.4x44u.com/pub/k2/am4x44u/truck_stop/parts/bguard.htm
Hope this helps,
Hugh Barber
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