Why do you say a rib protector isn't ideal?
I understand from Tillett that they provided rib protectors for numerous drivers who were or are at the top end of their classes, so it isn't down to the fact that 'the top guys don't wear them'.
It also depends how you are getting the rib injuries. For me, the injuries were caused by sitting forward in the seat so that the corner of the seat dug into me. There's a solution for this, variations on the Tillet Rib Protection system (I don't think they still make it, but could be wrong) like a pair of slightly curved 'ears' that bolt onto the corner of the seat. This helps hold you back in the seat and also spreads the load preventing dig in.
Additionally the side plates of my rib protector show that the bolts securing the seat have gouged lumps out of the kevlar even through the race suit. Pad them properly, even a flap of carpet dangling from the edge of the seat helps.
A cause of some injuries is the wrong shaped seat, especially if like me you aren't the right shape. The seat should fit snugly all the way from your hips to the top of the seat. If your hips are loose because your upper body needs a larger seat, then you will do damage trying to brace yourself to keep your hips still. If the hips are tight, but the top is loose, then you are going to flop around and do damage.
I understand that getting core strength back to what it was as an 18 year old isn't an option, but then I am an OAP and 2 stone over my best weight and still racing.
A rib protector is only part of your protection system, the only bad thing is to rely on it exclusively and ignore the other problem areas (as I did for a long time, never could understand why I broke so many A-frames and had bruises on the inside of my knees when others didn't)
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Iztech v Bengio by 'WWKarter' (02 Mar 2015 @ 14:03)
