Im not a expert but I observe things. Here is something that became obvious to me and anyone with large gates in their catch fence might think about replacing it.
This is a little big clearer now. There was a crossover gate at that location used in Supercross and at other times. When the car hit the fence it blew out the gate and the car sheared off on the fence post If it had been continuous chain link fencing this most likely wouldn't have happened and the entire car save bits and pieces most likely would remain within track boundary.
This is only my view and not based on 100 percent of the facts.
Originally Posted by Charles Nungester:
Im not a expert but I observe things. Here is something that became obvious to me and anyone with large gates in their catch fence might think about replacing it.
This is a little big clearer now. There was a crossover gate at that location used in Supercross and at other times. When the car hit the fence it blew out the gate and the car sheared off on the fence post If it had been continuous chain link fencing this most likely wouldn't have happened and the entire car save bits and pieces most likely would remain within track boundary.
This is only my view and not based on 100 percent of the facts.
I agree 100% that gate was what caused the shearing of the car. It appeared to be at least 6 feet wide, maybe 8. That car hit that gate at just the right moment for that to happen. I'm sure by night there were more lawyers than doctors at that hospital. Noticed they eliminated the gate when they repaired the fence. I guess if your going to have a crossover it better be just wide enough to get a person through maybe 30 inches.
Originally Posted by aceace:
I agree 100% that gate was what caused the shearing of the car. It appeared to be at least 6 feet wide, maybe 8. That car hit that gate at just the right moment for that to happen. I'm sure by night there were more lawyers than doctors at that hospital. Noticed they eliminated the gate when they repaired the fence. I guess if your going to have a crossover it better be just wide enough to get a person through maybe 30 inches.
That or be offset with that fencing ending and another one started behind it. Sorta like your track entrances and exits so you have to enter at a angle oposite direction of travel.
I wouldn't say low turnout, Id say a lot left to beat the crowd as you see at about ever ballpark and race for whatever reason.
I see it as a overlooked safety mistake in a sport that where anything that can happen, usually does and just when you think you've seen it all, YOU HAVEN'T!
Sure the ones injured have a case, Its not going to bankrupt the France Family, Hell they are tax payer subsidized. A smaller track it would ruin.
That crash was a bit similar to that of Don McTavish is 1969, except he hit the gate in turn four, severing the car, and killing Don. The half of the car containing Don was struck by Sam Sommers after it wound up in front of the grandstand. One of the most grizzly scenes imaginable.
Originally Posted by ronmil:
That crash was a bit similar to that of Don McTavish is 1969, except he hit the gate in turn four, severing the car, and killing Don. The half of the car containing Don was struck by Sam Sommers after it wound up in front of the grandstand. One of the most grizzly scenes imaginable.
I was in the grandstands for that race in 1969. The McTavish car indeed was missing everything in front of the firewall after the initial hit, then slid to a stop facing the oncoming cars. It seemed to be seconds before being struck at nearly full speed by Sommers. Even the safety crews took their time getting to the wreck, I believe no one wanted to see it up close. Grizzly indeed.
