Fatality at Driver Education event this weekend.
08-01-2005, 09:03 AM
#21
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 2,836
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry to hear, my condolences to the family.
I instruct at the track as well, and I'm admittedly very much a novice at teaching (25 events total under my belt does NOT make me an expert), and I certainly think twice about the equipment & knowledge of the student when I get in the car....
I'm trading in the 4-point Scroths for 5-point harnesses in the near future (before I track again), but 100% of student cars (beginner group) still run with stock 3-pointers... realistically we can't expect them to put 5 point harnesses in for a single street school, so what's our solution?
I'm trading in the 4-point Scroths for 5-point harnesses in the near future (before I track again), but 100% of student cars (beginner group) still run with stock 3-pointers... realistically we can't expect them to put 5 point harnesses in for a single street school, so what's our solution?
Was his instructor OK? (I'm assuming he had one, being in the green group)
08-01-2005, 09:26 AM
#24
Former Vendor
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 8,231
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I knew it was a Boxster before barely reading any of the story.
I have to ask, how tall was the driver? Did he pass the broomstick test with the rollbars? If he is taller than somewhere around 5'9-5'10, chances are he did not pass that test, in which case the blame would fall on the people running the event for letting him run. I'm not saying this is what caused his death, but it might.
From my understanding, this happens quite often with Boxsters running at track events. The driver of the car is too tall to pass the broomstick test, yet he's paid his money and driven to the event, so the event organizers feel bad and let them run anyways. Open top roadster drivers really need to understand the importance of having a rollbar that is taller than the top of your helmet.
This is really sad and unfortunate, and it pains me to hear about these incidents. Obviously human error will always play a part, and there isn't a way to really change that. My condoloences.
From my understanding, this happens quite often with Boxsters running at track events. The driver of the car is too tall to pass the broomstick test, yet he's paid his money and driven to the event, so the event organizers feel bad and let them run anyways. Open top roadster drivers really need to understand the importance of having a rollbar that is taller than the top of your helmet.
This is really sad and unfortunate, and it pains me to hear about these incidents. Obviously human error will always play a part, and there isn't a way to really change that. My condoloences.
08-01-2005, 09:26 AM
#25
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mandating equipment may not be the solution, but education needs to be increased.
If current or potential participants were clearly and unequivocally made aware of the equipment options and actual dangers, they can make better decisions on what <b>they</b> want to do.
08-01-2005, 09:27 AM
#26
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 17,772
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
and like Todd emphasized.. the forces involved can be fatal ..
and as part of the "safety devices", your own back and neck muscles can save you in case of an impact . this is something some of you track junkies should do .. and no , i'm not kidding :
<img src="http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=neck+weights/v=2/SID=e/l=IVS/SIG=129isgbeu/EXP=1123003284/*-http%3A//www.dabfitness.com/acatalog/max_knecksling.jpg">
<img src="http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=neck+weights/v=2/SID=e/l=IVS/SIG=129isgbeu/EXP=1123003284/*-http%3A//www.dabfitness.com/acatalog/max_knecksling.jpg">
08-01-2005, 09:36 AM
#30
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 2,836
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
absolutely YES.
We spend a lot of time going over "the line" etc but maybe need more on equipment, safety, etc.
Giving participants a booklet, checklist, etc before the event on how they can pre-prepare would be good too.
We tell them to show up with "a clean car and a helmet" which simply isn't sufficient.
Giving participants a booklet, checklist, etc before the event on how they can pre-prepare would be good too.
We tell them to show up with "a clean car and a helmet" which simply isn't sufficient.