well, i've experienced some bad days in my life, but few as bad as this one. Second race of the season in the midwest division, first ever at the new configuration of heartland park. group 1, GT, production, AS, etc. i don't know quite how to put this............one of our fellow club racers passed away this evening, doing what he loved. out of sympathy for the family, those who saw the incident, those who were at the event, and a general respect, i will not go into details at this time. i am not a religous man, but if any of you are, please keep this man, his family, the workers and doctors who did all they could, and all of us in racing in your thoughts and prayers.

Dave Pistole of Pittsburg Kansas.

image removed

i just don't know what to say.

please make sure all of you have adequate safety gear.

Modified by tnord at 5:54 AM 4/4/2004


Modified by tnord at 4:13 AM 4/5/2004

 

Sorry to hear it. My condolences go out to his friends and family.

 

I am sorry to hear of the loss. While racing has gotten safer and safer over the years, yes, it still has its dangers. As a licensed corner worker for SCCA you try and do your best to look out for the drivers and all the workers try and make it a safe weekend. Unfortunately things happen. My condolences to the family.
Barry H.

 

My condolences to the Family.

 

My deepest condolences go out to the Driver, and all his family & friends. While we don't know the details of the death, we at least know that he was doing what he loved.... and that counts for a lot.

Keep it safe, ladies and gentlemen.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ASteele2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> we at least know that he was doing what he loved.... and that counts for a lot.

Keep it safe, ladies and gentlemen.</TD></TR></TABLE>

my sentiments exactly.....
my condolences as well

 

my condolences are sent..

but I believe is it is my time I would like to pass doing what I loved to do as well.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tnord &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">please make sure all of you have adequate safety gear.
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Obviously very sorry to read of this. I respect your concern to not want to post details but if there was a particular failure in the safety equipment in this case for us to learn from, I and I am sure others would appreciate the information. Thanks and sorry you guys had to be witness to this.

 

Sorry to hear about the accident....

Could you at least let us know what failed and caused his death? It might be something that some of us are not aware of.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by phat-S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Obviously very sorry to read of this. I respect your concern to not want to post details but if there was a particular failure in the safety equipment in this case for us to learn from, I and I am sure others would appreciate the information. Thanks and sorry you guys had to be witness to this. </TD></TR></TABLE>

to the best of my knowledge, there was no failure in safety gear. i didn't want to put up details of exactly how it happened because there is much debate on the issue, and this will most likely end up in a lawsuit (which is why i removed the picture, as it will likely be used as evidence). the end result was a 90 degree collision with a concrete wall at about 90mph, resulting a failure of the fuel cell, and igniting a large fire.

in this case, i don't know if any amount of safety gear or cage construction could have saved him.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Wai &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sorry to hear about the accident....

Could you at least let us know what failed and caused his death? It might be something that some of us are not aware of.</TD></TR></TABLE>

speaking with the corner worker who pulled him out of the car, he was unconcious at the time and likely did not suffer. i will not say whether it was the impact or fire that killed him, as i am not a doctor, and don't want to make assumptions.


Modified by tnord at 3:39 PM 4/5/2004

 

Here is the story in the local newspaper. http://www.cjonline.com/storie...shtml I do not know any of the specific details beyond what Travis has posted. The accident occurred under the very 1st green flag for HPT's new course configuration, and I counted 2 offs at the same spot during the same race.

I will be watching for more details from the investigation, but very few of us had anything positive to say about the new configuration. To get a picture of HPT's new turn #1, imagine the speed of BeaveRun's backstraight 'kink' and add a 10' elevation change, cresting right at the kink. Top it off by adding the start/finish line AND pit-out right at the top of the crest. It isn't hard to see why so many people went off.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">To get a picture of HPT's new turn #1, imagine the speed of BeaveRun's backstraight 'kink' and add a 10' elevation change, cresting right at the kink. Top it off by adding the start/finish line AND pit-out right at the top of the crest. It isn't hard to see why so many people went off.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wow! Very technical, and a mixture for mayhem. Very Sorry to hear of the accident. His family is in my thoughts and prayers.

 

RIP, my prayers go out to his friends and family.

Stay safe out there guys.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RangerDan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My condolences to the Family.

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