Accident at Bronson

[egspeedway]

We need to appoint someone to travel around to different tracks.....

Ok big boy, you are hired. I have no doubt that you would provide a useful service. The problem is that I can't imagine many track operators wanting to hear about it.

You would certainly be a massive improvement over the idea of government intervention. Since we are all on our best behavior, I'll only say that inviting more government oversight would be an extremely unwise choice to volunteer for.

Completely agree Boneman. No Govt. They know neither where to start and worse where to stop. The only politician I would trust is your very own Bill Posey. I am just surprised the insurance companies aren't more active. But then do all these tracks have insurance. We foolishly ran a couple that did not.

[Dora Thorne]

I completely agree Old Sunshine fan. Someone needs to do something but definitely not government..... I think you "fit the bill" if your willing. I'm just wondering how receptive these Owners/Promoters will be and actually follow through with changes in protocol.
I have only been in racing 4 years and have been witness to 3 tragedies thus far. The most recent fatality at Bronson, a young girl at Bubba's, and my friend Chic Whitehead at Citrus racing a bus. Hell, I flipped my bus 2 laps before Chic did in the same spot. I never in a million years thought what happened to Chic would happen, but it did.

I do have a new found respect for the dangers out there and hope that no flagman ever stands on the track or infield again for a racing event.
All needless.
I understand that we all take "a" chance when we get into this sport. I myself am guilty of racing figure 8 busses with ill fitting seats, old 5 pt harnesses, no driver protection cage, etc.... I have made a change in my priorities as far as safety.
I hope there are "eyes wide open" now......
I'm sure there are other benefits to having an organization/committee/group (what ever you want to call it). For example insurance breaks in cost for having their track inspected/approved by such groups. Racers and Sponsors are aware that a car they sponsor/race is at an approved facility. I'm sure there are many other benefits as well as life and limb.

[AB195]

Tragic Loss, it was----

I remember Bud Howell at the last Gov. Cup, he did that ol' "tap the glass eye" thing in front of me, thing. I vomited because of that. He just laughed and laughed. But government isnt't the worst part at all........

Raise your hand if you:

-went to a public school, college, or university. I did
-ever read a book from a library. I did
-get your electric and water from a government utility. I do
-ever rode on a bus, subway or light-rail. I have
-use the post office and stamps. everyday I do
-went to college on the GI Bill, Pell grant, or other aids.
-are retired and get social security payments
- ever used food stamps
-lived in public housing or section 8 voucher
-used a wheelchair ramp mandated by the ADA
-get your healthcare from the VA
-go boating or fishing in a govt. owned lake-I have
-have a job that is safer from OSHA- I have
-have home health-care aid by the government
-have Medicaid
-got a tax subsidy for your mortgage interest and/or property taxes
-recycle your garbage waste through the local city government. I do
-took a vacation in a national or state park. I have
-played softball, soccer, or used a see-saw, swings in a public playground
-got your polio and other vaccination shots at a public school. I have
-ever needed a firefighter, EMT to help you with anything. I have
-traveled with a passport. I still do
-use an elevator, inspected by the local building dept.. I have
-eat food inspected by the FDA. I do
-were ever helped by a police officer, park ranger, or firefighter. I have been
-have a savings account regulated by the FDIC. I do
-flown on an jet-airliner inspected by the FAA. I have

[zerofor]

What I truly cant fathom

Is doesn't anyone running these tracks remember why the use of a flagmans stand was implemented to begin with?It was because in the 1930s and 40s and even 50s flagmen were hit.injured and killed from being on the racetrack flagging the races.Same thing with organized drag racing which used an on track flagmen until Christmas trees were invented.So many times people fail to remember the past to keep from repeating these events in the present day.So many things are made to have permits and local government okays for a race track just to operate nowdays.Insurance companies make it rough too.Funny thing(tragic really) is through all the demands made by insurance companies,and local governments to let a track operate they let so many safety related issues(both for the participants and spectators alike) fall through the cracks.So does that mean a family gets to sue them too?Common sense is the only thing that can stop things like this from happening and I think any racetrack should have an advisory board made up of ex racers and longtime fans it could consult before they make a bonehead move.Judgement should always lean to the side of safety because people want to see a race,racers want to race,but NOBODY wants to die doing it.

[zerofor]

I agree with most of this except

As a Retired National Safety Director, I see so many things I view as "Un-safe" during my travel's to different race tracks here in Fl..... people in the infields is top on my list.... people hanging on the side/top of wreckers is another....track employees rushing out to wrecks before all action is stopped is another...no locking device on gate between fans and track....crappy bleachers, vehicles parked in the infields, driver securement/helmets not checked......school buses without roll cages and proper driver restraints....fans standing along walk-way during actual race and/or at fence due to accident on track......the list goes on and on....

We (as a racing community) need to appoint someone to travel around to different tracks....observe operations...perform audits and submit to track management a written evaluation of said observations.... it would be up to the track management to implement suggested safety measures.....

The audit form could be separated into three sections.... Fan Stands / Track Area / Pit Area.... the same form could be used for all tracks that wish to particapate.... the written evaluation would be supplied ONLY to the track involved.

That's my story and I'm stickin to it..............OSF

It should be made public so racers can decide if safety measures are adequate enough for them to participate,and so fans(especially young parents carrying children through decrepid rotting stands can decide if they want to attend an event there.