Attention all Pro-Truck Drivers - Please read ! Coulter Series Safety Rule !

[Rick B.]

Attention Drivers,


In reaction to the recent tragedy involving Kevin Ward and Tony Stewart we are making the following procedure rule in regards to accidents or trucks coming to stop on the race track.

A driver is to remain in his or her truck until a safety or track official arrives on scene.
Drivers are to lower their window net if they are fine.
You may exit the truck if there is fire or smoke but go the the closest safe spot.
If in the truck keep your belts fastened until the safety or track official arrives.
You are to not leave your race vehicle on track unless the safety people are treating you.
Under no circumstances is a driver to walk on to the racing surface toward on coming trucks. Throwing of helmets etc in anger. is not permitted.
Follow the instructions of the track safety and/or track officials.



If you do not follow these procedures, you can be DQ’d, fined $500 and / or suspended for 1 race depending on the severity. This is at the determination of the series director.

[UREZ2PASS]

Screw that !

If my car is wrecked and I can exit the vehicle, I'm getting the hell out. How would a driver know if there is fuel on the ground waiting to ignite ?

It's the tracks responsibility to throw a yellow, other drivers responsibility to observe the yellow, and my responsibility to not walk in traffic.

Stupid rule in my opinion.

[kendo]

Screw that !

If my car is wrecked and I can exit the vehicle, I'm getting the hell out. How would a driver know if there is fuel on the ground waiting to ignite ?



Stupid rule in my opinion.

Exactly,,,The knee jerk reactions never cease to amaze

[Rick B.]

reply

This is not a knee jerk reaction, I have thought about and we have waited these weeks after. It says if there is fire or smoke and they will be told if they feel there is an issue they can get out but need to go to a safe place away from truck toward a safe wall or area. We talk and discuss these things in detail with the drivers, this is just on paper you can not write it all out or it would be way to long. The biggest thing is to be safe and keep the temper stuff from happening. As always your kind and informative opinions are appreciated.

[Winger]

I understand where ez and kendo are coming from but I think it's a good rule. I might suggest amending it somewhat though. I think it's good because I've seen drivers unbuckling and even getting out of their cars while other cars are still at speed on the track, particularly if they're pissed. Sometimes the caution has been thrown and slower cars are going faster trying to catch up to the leader. Sometimes cars are going side by side because they're disputing the position. It's situations like that which can put a wrecked driver in danger if he unbuckles and then gets hit. However, I don't really think it's necessary to wait till a safety member actually gets to the car to start to unbuckle. Once the field has obviously slowed to caution speed and the field is under control, I think it would be acceptable for the driver to unbuckle and prepare to exit. Perhaps a message from race control to the driver informing him it's now safe to unbuckle would be appropriate. That's assuming you are using radios or a raceceiver. I've thought about the rule requiring people to stay strapped in and have thought the same thing about fuel leaking or some unforeseen situation arising where you've required the driver to stay strapped in. I think that could put the track or sanctioning organization in a precarious position of responsibility if something did happen and an injury was caused because of a delay in getting out because of the rule. How many times have you seen a wreck and think it all over and all of a sudden a car burst into flames? I've seen it several times. Heck, I can think of a major fire at North Florida a few years ago that ended up totally destroying a few cars and luckily the drivers were out of the cars when they went up.

[Circledude]

I would think your spotter would tell you if there was smoke or a fire. I believe everyone has radios and a spotter. Am I wrong?

[UREZ2PASS]

Rick, With all due respect. It's a poorly written rule. I would not follow it and I would instruct anyone driving a car of mine to get out of a wrecked racecar as quickly and safely as possible.

I expect the people in your series will request a modified version of this rule.