How bad was Earl Pearson hurt?

[georgep]

The way they are talking on Speed Report he is out of a ride for 2008. Any more news? I was a flagman when this kid was running Go Karts at Maxville Florida.

[Joe Dirt]

Was watching ''Wind Tunnel'' last nite on speed, Dave Despain interviewed Labonte and asked what the deal was. Labonte only talked about re-evaluating the safety procedures taken when they construct the cars. From what we saw at V.S.P. that nite , it seems as though the car should have held up a little better than it did, as far as the rollcage's condition, after the flip. Earl's condition is good. Just a little banged up.

[billy badd]

It sure got the attention of his car owner, Bobby Labonte. I've heard a couple of interviews with him, and he kept mentioning about making the cars safer. I saw the tape of the wreck on Speed, and it didn't look that bad. I'm just guessing, but I suspect the seat area is what needs to be made safer. Most of the action seemed to be in the air twisting. Let's hope he makes a speedy recovery, and will be back soon. billy

[backrow]

So what's stopping Bobby from making his car's safer? Correct me if I'm wrong, but safety doesn't have to be legislated by a sanctioning body. I can't remember ever seeing a car disqualified for too much safety equipment.

[Frasson118]

It's not that simple... you can't just add what you "think" is safer. Safety items must be researched, tested, and then approved before anyone can use them.

Don O'Neal was also hurt late last year (at Lowe's Dirt Track) in a DLM car during a flip. I think their heads are getting bounced off of roll bars during the flip.

[georgep]

Talking with the people in Jacksonville I thinks the HANS device is about to show up in those cars. Remebr that the belts STRETCH and that may be how these guys are getting their bell rung. Big "E" did not look that bad either nor did the modified crashes in the 1970's that took Richie Evans, Charlie J and others.
At my place in Orange Park tonight, back to S.C. in the am.

[billy badd]

In the interview I saw with Bobby, he indicated that he knew what he was going to do, and it was a proven safety device or part. He never elaborated on it though. My thought was the seat because of all the testing they've done in that area. Jeez, I'd like one of those seats in my regular car. Of course the car is probably cheaper than the seat. billy

[Winger]

Here's a link to an interview with EPJ. He discusses the wreck, the injuries and cause, tire issues and more. This should answer most questions.

http://dirtnation.net/2008/02/25/ear...l-late-models/

[Rick]

Great interview!!!

[georgep]

Here's a link to an interview with EPJ. He discusses the wreck, the injuries and cause, tire issues and more. This should answer most questions.

http://dirtnation.net/2008/02/25/ear...l-late-models/

Thank you, I told that boy 20 years ago not to go mudding. Glad he is OK, still hard headed but OK.

[gcue]

Here's a pic of his car. Anyone find any video of the crash yet?

[TINYTIMDSS]

What Chassie Does Earl Run

[Winger]

What Chassie Does Earl Run

He drives a Masterbuilt. According to the interview, the chassis held up and did it's job. Apparently a clod of mud came into the cockpit and that is what Pearson blames for knocking him out.

I haven't seen the video but I guess there is one out there. It's been on TV but I haven't seen anything on the net. Apparently the crash itself doesn't look that violent, but then again, neither did Dale Earnhardts.

[TINYTIMDSS]

They showed the rec on wind tunnel at the end of the after the irl chart cartalk was dun