Other Motorsports (merged)

[Bjorn de Haas]

indeed very sad

 

[Wayne Reed]

thats so sad my thoghts go to all family and friends

 

[Jelle van der Knaap]

Very sad indeed:frown:

 

[Hans Sneep]

I did take part on a Race Experience Day a few years a go,did race in the single seater it gives me the shivers when I saw the news on TV journal to day.

Very sad news ,wish the family al the strength they need .

 

[Bradley Wint]

What a shame

 

[Niels Pedersen]

My thoughts are with the family, but show some respect, the third picture from update 2 is a bit unethical ...

 

[Dave Stephenson]

I was under the impression it was from after the even of just the car. Any way it's gone now.

 

[Günthar Rowe]

very sad indeed!

 

[cepwin]

Horrible...one tends to think these types of events are controlled and safe. My deepest condolences to the Family :-(

 

[Dave Withers]

Thoughts to the family. Could be anyone of us.

 

[David Garcia]

Really sad news. Rest in peace.

 

[Martijn van Bommel]

Wishing his family all the best,my condolences to his friends and family.
Just as Hans Sneep i also did an Experience day a couple of years ago....

 

[Valerio Vinassa]

I'm really sorry,all my love to the family

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

I was shocked hearing this, especially as I did the same Race Experience day two years ago. Time that they review all the safety measures as I can imagine that when you are not an experienced real life driver you totally freak out when your car is on fire and you will not find a way to get out of the seatbelts.
After giving it some thoughts I can't recall that they had an extensive safety instruction how to get out of a vehicle. Can you remember that Martijn/Hans?

 

[cepwin]

I'm curious Bram....when you did the "Race Experience day" what protection did you have. I"d assume a full helmet and firesuit at a minimum. Even so, I know all the fire protection only works so long. I've never done a "Race Experience" type of event but I have it in the back of my mind that I'd like to try one at a NASCAR track or go to a Skip Barber someday. (Assuming I can reach...I'm very petite.)

They had a car fire at an IRL race in Texas and the driver involved as a rookie and was having trouble getting herself out and the fire crew messed up too. Took them way longer then it should have to get her out of there. Fortunately in her case, aside from a minor burn on her hand, she was fine.

I was shocked hearing this, especially as I did the same Race Experience day two years ago. Time that they review all the safety measures as I can imagine that when you are not an experienced real life driver you totally freak out when your car is on fire and you will not find a way to get out of the seatbelts.
After giving it some thoughts I can't recall that they had an extensive safety instruction how to get out of a vehicle. Can you remember that Martijn/Hans?

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

I did it in february 2008. Only protection we got back then was a helmet. Kind scary if you come to think of it after hearing this news. Haven't seen any firesuits among the people that took the same course. We only got a brief instruction how to behave on the track, who to follow and they repeated multiple times not to look at the speed'o'meters because you might miss your braking point for the Tarzancorner. That's all I can recall.

On most of the parts of the experience day you don't need too much instruction either, as some courses are taken outside of the circuit. Only track time we did was racing a BMW 1 series, a Porsche, and the old Formula Fords on the track. The other items were driving in the dunes with a quad, carcontrol on a wet surface, karting and offroad driving.

 

[Dave Stephenson]

I'm sure I'd be happy going out without a fire suit. It's not just my driving that has the possibility to start a fire I might be involved in. Even then as with the man in the story, it might not be any drivers fault but the risk is still there.

I'm sure there will be an investigation. I'd be very interested to hear the results of it.

Although it may not be the law to give them or offer them, in the UK under health and safety laws providers of events and services are deemed to have a 'Duty of Care'. Basically the must asses the risk and make adequate provisions to protect people against them. I find it hard to believe that if you assess the risk of race cars and circuit driving that fire is not in there.

 

[cepwin]

Thanks Bram for the follow up. Yeah I have to agree with Dave. You wouldn't get me on racetrack without a firesuit...too dangerous without one. My guess is that gentleman would have survived had he been wearing one. I'm not sure what the law is in the US exactly but I'm sure there'd be a lawsuit..and probably anyone doing such an event here has to sign a waiver that they understand and accept the risks involved. The question would be whether such a waiver would hold up in court under these circumstances.

 

[Bjorn de Haas]

A firesuit is the least they should give you and at least protecs you a few minutes to the heat of a fire. Aldo i think he breathed smoke which is very toxic and basicly kills you within a few seconds.

 

[Dave Stephenson]

Yeh smoke is bad news. could easily take you before the flames. Poor guy.