Is there such a good thing as good race track insurance? And Sprinter25 you would be very surprised. I am not saying events should be held without, but this question was not asked correctly. Several tracks have there own Ambulances and hire emt's to run them on the weekend. Several of those ambulances set at tracks for years only traveling a few miles over that time. Thats also a big reason why people get in an ambulance then another one shows up to take them to the hospitol. Also what constitutes an ambulace? What life saving devices need to be inside of that for it to be considered sufficiant. Also another negative for you, several ambulance services have what they call Special Event Services. Some are no more than glorified bandaid stations. Trust me I am not an expert here, but kinda like the guy said earlier with the ambulance not starting, not everything is as it seams. Also really not tring to be negative here, just pointing out a few different things.
I'm not sure about other states but I do know from having been a paramedic what Indiana requires as far as an ambulance goes, EVERY ambulance in service in Indiana is inspected yearly and therefore will have a sticker placed somewhere on it to show such, The inspection is very involved and includes how clean it is, how servicable, certain supplies must be on board etc. If you cannot find a yearly inspection sticker and they cannot/will not show you one then assume that ambulance is not up to state specs, and Indiana has one of the highest standards for ambulances and EMTs/paramedics in the country.
No way! My standards for auto racing safety were set very high as a young child growing up at Oswego Speedway. Not only was there an ambulance on site at all times, that ambulance was staffed weekly by the same doctor and nurse - husband and wife team. If the ambulance had to leave the track to transport someone to the hospital a wheel didn't turn on the race track until the ambulance returned. Oswego Speedway celebrates their 60th anniversary this year during that 60 years they have set the bar very high for the finest safety crew in auto racing. While the doctor and nurse team are now gone replaced by a safety crew made up of EMT's, the excellent performance remains in tact. Actually last Labor Day Weekend they saved my Aunts brother - in - law during a victory lane celebration for his son - in - law. Don's heart stopped during that celebration, the safety crew sprung into action and saved his life.
The worse safety crew I remember witnessing was at Flemington after the track was paved. The safety crew decided to take time to go to the concession stand while a modified division was practicing, a driver broke his leg and sat in the car forever until the safety crew got to him.
IMHO no racer should put their life at risk racing without an ambulance on sight and as one poster noted that ambulance should be ready to transport at a moments notice, not sitting there unable to start.
Safety has always been one of my biggest concerns, the equipment can always be replaced the driver can not be. They need to do everything in their power to make sure they are racing in the safest environment possible.
I posted something similar to this last season when one of our local tracks was doing much the same. Another thing that they do down here is not require fire suits and helmets when rolling the track in. Often kids will be riding around in the race cars as the track is being packed.
Lots of tracks run without ambulances or with vehicles that look like ambulances that seldom move. This is not nationalized health care. You whiners need to do your own research and if you don't like it don't participate. If you think your entry fee covers enough insurance to save your a$$ you are idiots. Get your own accident coverage. I thought racers had enough stones to stand up and be men. This is making me sick!!! Get a pair!!!!
Originally Posted by racerdog45:
I'm not sure about other states but I do know from having been a paramedic what Indiana requires as far as an ambulance goes, EVERY ambulance in service in Indiana is inspected yearly and therefore will have a sticker placed somewhere on it to show such, The inspection is very involved and includes how clean it is, how servicable, certain supplies must be on board etc. If you cannot find a yearly inspection sticker and they cannot/will not show you one then assume that ambulance is not up to state specs, and Indiana has one of the highest standards for ambulances and EMTs/paramedics in the country.
Thanks i will be looking for that! This is probablly another reason why several tracks do not transports someone. Another ambulance does that.
Rick is right about bad insurance. It is hard and very expensive to get insurance to cover a racer. Most refuse treatment so they can go to the Dr. on there own and use there work health care. Many events only cover spectators.
So you know, We at Lawrenceburg Speedway hire not one but 2 ambulances with two emt's in each on. I refuse to let cars on the track until they are in place and ready to go. I believe we have the finest safety crew also.
When i drag raced, i would never race if there was'nt a ambulance there.
Have a great safe season!! Dave
There is no way Josh would hit the track without an ambulance there and ready to go. All the insurance in the world is worthless if there is no one there to care for a driver, Josh ask at the beginning of the year where and what kind of insurance the tracks we run Fri.Sat.Sun. have, he also is insured with S.T.I.D.A. (stida.com 1-800-378-4608) I believe you should check your driver a half hour or so after a crash as there adrenaline will sometimes mask an injury right after the crash.
It also makes you feel pretty good when the emergency crew stops by and takes a look inside the car at the beginning of the year, the ones that stay up on things inside the car are the ones that will be best prepared to save your best friends life if they are needed.
Just a little side note for the new guys, if you ever have to be transported the good safety crews will ask to take your helmet along to the hospital with you, if they do not ask send it along as this will help determine a head injury in some cases.
Good luck everybody and have a safe year, if for some reason your driver does not feel safe load up and live to race another day.
Mr. Spencer makes some good points. Just because you see an Ambulance sitting on the grounds it may not be good to go. Ask about the crews working that race and their training level. Please be willing to let safety crews look around your cars before racing begins so they will know what to expect if you are the racer they are going out to help. Good safety guys will stay out of your way during prerace, but just want to sneek a peek. Mr. Spencer is also right if a driver is transported or even if they are not someone in the safety crew should be looking at helmets and HANS devices and asking about nicks and scratches to your gear. If you come to Bloomington Speedway and see the BHAS Ambulance sitting there please feel free to come over and see us. we'll be more than happy to talk to you.
