Most motorsports activities in North America have established safety standards and tech inspections that prevent most of this kind of terrible injuries. Burnout competitions like this have not yet developed these standards but I'm sure this accident will kickstart that process. A pot of boiling water was accidently dumped on me as a kid and having to lay face down on a couch 24 hours a day for a solid month was quite unpleasant so I have an idea what he's going through. As an owner of a race track, we take precautions for problems we foresee but sometimes things happen that you just don't expect and it takes an injury before changes are made. And my race car also has a radiator in the back and there is a firewall between me and the hoses but I need to take another look at it because if a hose blew in the wrong place, steam might be able to come through gaps and burn me or my wife. I hope this doesn't put an end to Cleetus and Cars events.
lil late to this party, but since i are one of those open kart loving fools who put the mass of water out back i figured i would weigh in.... and... suggest that if it thought out enough, the risk is low.
failure of a hose or joint was a concern of mine when i decided to put the pressure cooker out back.
i do not understand standing burnout competitions... but.. i have been known to ensure my tires are fully used before i retire them. my OEM C5 fuel tanks scare me more on my LS1-KART than the rear radiator.
mitigating considerations... i used premium silicone hose, the entire run. T-bolt style clamps. my hoses are jacketed with PVC, duct tape and aluminum tape inside the frame rails. the holes in the frame rails i have shot expansion foam into. the lower hose connection on the front of the radiator is tucked into the frame rail. the upper hose connection is on the backside of the radiator then tucks into the frame rail. the radiator is leaning away from the cockpit and is a quality 'be cool' brand unit, no plastic. the radiator is surrounded by steel roll bar and frame, reducing but not eliminating potential for compromise in rear impact.
i have seen more than a couple kart builds where they have deleted the windshield. to me, those are the true crazies. between the hot oil and water in front of you, you'd have to be nuts to risk all that blowing into the cabin with you!
This one actually has a firewall and a radiator in the front. A safer build. More triangulation in the roll cage as well.
