Trevor Ashline of Safety Solutions, Inc. announced today that the “Hybrid X” head and neck restraint device is the latest device in their stable of h&n devices to be SFI 38.1 certified.
Following the death of NHRA Funny Car driver Eric Medlen in late March, John Force, who owns the team Medlen drove for, brought in Ashline, Kris VanGilder of ISP Seats and well known Wayne State University Bioengineering Professor John Melvin to address the extreme tire vibration issue that led to the crash during a practice pass at Gainseville Raceway. The result led to amazing developments and changes.
“Our years of work and preparation have allowed us to meet yet another challenge. This is what we have worked so long for. This is what we are about. Eric’s death was tragic and it is very gratifying to be able to work on solving an issue that had not been specifically addressed before. Some amazing and very important things happened in a very short period of time. Working alongside John Melvin, Kris VanGilder, Murf McKinney and all those involved at John Force Racing was a great experience. I am very proud of the ‘Hybrid X’ and everything we were able to accomplish, ” said Ashline.
Radical changes to seat belt mountings and head rests were also developed during this “Who’s Who” meeting of racing safety restraint innovators which lead to those changes being adopted, mandated and announced on May 3rd by the NHRA.
It is interesting to note that the “Hybrid X” utilizes the same basic concept as the “Hybrid” head and neck restraint and has been adapted to the unique aspects of drag racing. The “Hybrid” which is also SFI 38.1 certified has been approved by NASCAR and will begin use in Nextel Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series in July of this year.
Safety Solutions, Inc. is the only company that has designed and developed multiple head and neck restraint devices that are SFI 38.1 certified, those being the “R3”, the “Hutchens II”, the “Hutchens Hybrid” and, now the “Hybrid X”
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