As a 10 ro 12 year Veteran and having been known for some of the wildest single mower crashes around. Even have the high altitude record for BP class. I thought I would share some info on crash preperation. First off understand no matter your expertease in any other form of racing, you race a mower long enough and hard enough YOU WILL CRASH!!!! That being said safety gear is a must. I will not get into what type you should wear that is your decision to make. I will tell what I prefer and have proven to be very effective.
#1 a Quality Helmet. Ever drop a melon on the ground and watch it explode, thats your head without a good helmet.
#2 Neck Brace, I have treid several but always come back to the one with the turn down between your should blades.
#3 Kart Abraision resisntant driving suit!! Want to know how well they work, come off your moer at 62mph with mower on you and slide to a stop. I got up with out a scratch and didn't even break thru the suit went on to wear it another year. Proven and witnessed by Nashville news crew I was doing an exhibition for at their studios.
#4 Be familiar with your macvhine, know it's and your limits. Be comfortable to the point you react without thinking. Its a second nature just like blinking your eyes. HOW do you get this way. PRACTICE,PRACTICE PRACTICE.
#5 When the wreck happens get away from the machine, do NOT ride it out, with time you will learn when the point of no return is. I learned after the first wreck let go and push away, its second nature, to push away tuck and roll. Over the years I have had 5 concusions of various levels, run over more times than I can count, fractured ribs, broke elbow, bruised hips and lung. Was hit directly in the head and knocked out for app 20 mintues, and I have never had a neck sore or injury that I know of. I have seen injury's with guys wearing all forms of protection and I am sure its all good to some extent. But its up to you as to the extent you use.
Hope these tips help to some extent. I have seen many wrecks been in many was under a 10 or 12 mower pile up with a rer John Deere trying to mate me but walked away from them all sometimes assisted (not willingly) but always walked away.
