Most people get started on 3/8ths. Hell, my first race was on a 5/8th mile in a street stock. Most tracks are 3/8ths and the size of the track has absolutely nothing to with it. If she lost control then chances are she was down to 1/5th mile track speed at the point of impact anyway.

I think safety devices should be the main focus here. No Racing seat as you can see but you can argue that in a head on collision as this appears that would not help. So 5pt restraint system? The big one was it installed properly? A Hans device is irrelevant if the belts are not installed properly. One thing I always notice with that type of car is lack of safety equipment and the non fire proof suits the drivers wear. Places like the burg where speeds can get pretty fast makes me wonder how long until something happens. I know it can happen in any car and speeds are slower in that type of car but whether going 60 or 150 safety equipment needs to be utilized properly.

Spi-nex, I'm so dumb I haven't even learned how to paste but the last sentence of your last post sounds like the opinion of a man who just got through drinking eight warm beers under a hot sun. It just doesn't make any sense.

Doesn't make any sense huh? Ok.. well, sir, allow me to walk you through my line of thinking one baby step at a time so even a low brow like yourself can understand.

The types of cars that this young women lost her life in, are "stock." Throw a cage in em and race, STOCK. That means they have a top speed of about 50-60mph on your average 3/8ths mile track even with the BEST of compact drivers. These are not sprint cars, they do not travel in excess of 100+ mph.

Now, factor in this is her first time ever on track. The accident happened on her 2nd lap. It is more than likely she was nervous (just like ANYONE the first time they are in a racecar) and was no where near that top speed mark.

If you get sideways and have a lack of experience, and as first hand accounts have stated, she hit the wall due to an over-correction, then you again, are going to be much slower than the drivers with more experience.

With all that factored in, there was no way she was anywhere near the potential top speed of a 3/8ths mile track and was more than likely in the area of a slow car at a 1/5th mile track, thus making the size of the track completely irrelevant.

Clear enough?

As the popularity of the hornets grow, they are slowly replacing the sprint car as the most dangerous thing on the track. As unfortunate as this case is, all to many times we go to the track and they are rolling them over nightly. The short-narrow wheel base make this inevitable. The entry level price to these cars are part of what makes them appealing but the entry level workmanship and safety equipment eventually shows its self.

Im going out on a limb but think a good idea would be a beginners safety deal to where the racers could come talk to the track officials. This could be focused on any class but the hornets is where its at. 95% of the people don't make that first lap in a USAC ready sprinter...

If learning the finer points on how to fabricate a car, maintain that car, and the proper safety equipment could only save one racer from serious injury or worse it would be more than worth it.

It starts with one...

I was at a racers funeral here in Indy back in the early 80's. A driver I was with in the waiting line said this to me," We put our helmets , gloves, firesuit on and strap in,I'm indestructible". When we got to the casket , the driver was wearing his driving suit. The driver who was with me said this," This is an unfortunate aspect of the game we choose to play."

With all the safety improvements the last few years we tend to forget that this is still a dangerous sport. It is.

Also , a lesson here for low buck guys. You can run a wheezer motor, used tires, and second hand parts. When it comes to safety gear though, spend your money and buy the best. The butt your trying to save is your own.

Several will hate me for saying this, but you have to have entry level classes. Heck there are several nights those entry level classes pay the purse for the sprint cars we love. To get people involved there will always be a need for a cheep class. Many of these people will have never done anything more than set in the bleachers at the track. Our sport needs these guys and gals to get involved. These guys will never get involved if there racecar costs $1000 but they have to have $5000 worth of saftey gear. Right wrong or indfifferent it is just not going to happen. 1 thing people on this board forget about, many of this lower class drivers are struggeling just to get to the track. Before you throw them under the bus and complain about this or that, think about my 2nd sentence. The drivers pay the exact same pit price but run for $200 or less at most tracks.

Seems we have gotten a bit off track. My prayers to the young lady and for her family and friends. We do forget the sport we love is dangerous, and when things happen like this it takes my attention to the people impacted by the tragedy.

Sorry, but if you can't afford to do the sport with the proper safety gear then you should maybe not be out there. I had to wait till I was in my 30's to race, but I did it with the best safety gear I could buy. It's not worth the risk to yourself or the sport to not be as safe as you possible can. Insurance is a big expense for tracks, driver deaths and injury put stress on the system.

Can we please stop with the "dying doing what she loved". This is one of the dumbest things race fans/drivers say. No one wants to die in a race car. No one wants to die all alone. No now wants to die in front on hundreds/thousands of strangers. No one wants there last thoughts to be pure panic and fear. No one wants to be in pain when they die. No one wants to realize that their life may be ending.

Several years ago a driver was caught in a fire and could not get out. Third degree burns over 95 percent of his body. This is the first time someone pointed out how dumb this saying is. It has stuck with me to this day. No one wants to be in a car on fire knowing that your death is near. Dying in a car is not what anyone loves.