KO- Old School

Jerry Spencer · 1/15/08, 7:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P&G Photo

While I agree that getting into any race car without every bit of safety equipment available to you is not a wise thing to do, I respect KO's decision to do so. First of all, the man has been racing for close to thirty years. I think that qualifies him to assess the risks and dangers involved in racing midgets. The man is a past National Champion. The man has been injured and burned before and if he's still willing to take the risk then so be it. He has that right as an adult in America to make his own decisions and live with any consequences. If, by choosing to race in this manner, he has violated any rules concerning safety equipment set forth by the promoter or sanctioning body; then he should be punished accordingly by the race officials. If he hasn't violated any rules he should be allowed to race as he chooses. Would the race fans here be as angry if I said that "beer should banned from the race track because those who drink it might become drunk and then they could fall down and injure themselves." The race fans who drink beer at the track are choosing to take a risk and live with the consequences. Only they don't have a bunch of people calling them names on a message board. I think that KO should get the same courtesy.

Kevin Plummer

I agree, did K.O. do the same thing last year somewhere and everybody thought it was cool? He and Tony are big boys and can do whatever they want within the rules. J.M.O.

Jerry #66j
www.joshspencer.com

Charles Nungester · 1/15/08, 8:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Spencer

I agree, did K.O. do the same thing last year somewhere and everybody thought it was cool? He and Tony are big boys and can do whatever they want within the rules. J.M.O.

Jerry #66j
www.joshspencer.com

It's cool till they see them in a body bag because something easily preventable like a part coming thorugh the cage or fire didn't do the damage it would without the protections readily available.

Im sorry, just knew a few great people that would probably still be here today.

Chuck

Hawker · 1/15/08, 9:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P&G Photo

While I agree that getting into any race car without every bit of safety equipment available to you is not a wise thing to do, I respect KO's decision to do so. First of all, the man has been racing for close to thirty years. I think that qualifies him to assess the risks and dangers involved in racing midgets. The man is a past National Champion. The man has been injured and burned before and if he's still willing to take the risk then so be it. He has that right as an adult in America to make his own decisions and live with any consequences. If, by choosing to race in this manner, he has violated any rules concerning safety equipment set forth by the promoter or sanctioning body; then he should be punished accordingly by the race officials. If he hasn't violated any rules he should be allowed to race as he chooses. Would the race fans here be as angry if I said that "beer should banned from the race track because those who drink it might become drunk and then they could fall down and injure themselves." The race fans who drink beer at the track are choosing to take a risk and live with the consequences. Only they don't have a bunch of people calling them names on a message board. I think that KO should get the same courtesy.

Kevin Plummer

DING, DING, DING!!!!! We have a winner!!! Great post! :respect:

openwheelKT · 1/15/08, 9:18 AM

The way I looked at the whole deal was.... KO is a grown man who can make his own decisions. If something happened, that's the risk he was taking. He wasn't putting anyone else in danger.

If he was doing something that might affect other drivers on the track, then I would have a problem with it. Bottom line, end of story for me.

I think people on here would ***** about what day of the week it is.

Al Soran · 1/15/08, 9:24 AM

This safety topic can be a touchy one,....I mean if we want to make the sprint cars and midgets safer, shouldn't we put wings on them? Ahhhh! And the "Safety walls" at every track? Require Halon systems? Make them wider, or better yet, if safety of our drivers is the ultimate goal, shouldn't we put fenders on them? Who should decide what is the acceptable level of safety? You? Me? The driver? The sanctioning body? The fans? Beats me! But, a bunch of guys packed in styrofoam lined cars bouncing off syrofoam walls just doesn't sound like something I want to watch or participate in. There is a certain level of danger to this sport that makes it so appealing, and if we made the cars all "super-safe", would anyone want to watch? :sleep:

Charles Nungester · 1/15/08, 9:39 AM

My question isn't someones choice to do so.

My question is why do the rules allow it in the first place?

At my track they black flag you if you don't have driving gloves on.

Chuck

wbr · 1/15/08, 9:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Lowe

I'd like to ask Mark Wilson (WBR) what he thought would have happened to his son in Fort Wayne if he was wearing a t-shirt instead of a fireproof racing uniform?

Sandy, It would have been pretty bad to say the least. He burned the hair off his left arm even though he had a firesuit, THANK YOU BILL SIMPSON AND IMPACT RACING!!! The $1200 suit is junk now; but one of my most precious Sons is fine.
I applaud K.O. for being a free spirit, but like one squirrel said to the other: "It's all fun and games til somebody drops a nut!":emote20:

:thumb:

PJ Wright · 1/15/08, 9:57 AM

The photo Mark posted of his son is a perfect example of the old saying: "A picture is worth a thousand words."

Brolzy · 1/15/08, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJ Wright

The photo Mark posted of his son is a perfect example of the old saying: "A picture is worth a thousand words."

Exactly. You never know when the worst is going to happen in a race car, so you should at least prepare for it as best you can, IMO.

openwheelKT · 1/15/08, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Nungester

My question isn't someones choice to do so.

My question is why do the rules allow it in the first place?

At my track they black flag you if you don't have driving gloves on.

Chuck

My point is, why do you and others care? KO is the one that should be concerned about it. He made a decision and if something goes wrong, he pays the price. I personally wouldn

1/15/08, 9:39 AM	#46 Re: KO- Old School
Charles Nungester Senior Member Race Count This Year: 6 Race Count Last Year: 14 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 22,066	My question isn't someones choice to do so. My question is why do the rules allow it in the first place? At my track they black flag you if you don't have driving gloves on. Chuck __________________ Charles Nungester

1/15/08, 9:18 AM	#44 Re: KO- Old School
openwheelKT Senior Member Race Count Last Year: 73 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 742	The way I looked at the whole deal was.... KO is a grown man who can make his own decisions. If something happened, that's the risk he was taking. He wasn't putting anyone else in danger. If he was doing something that might affect other drivers on the track, then I would have a problem with it. Bottom line, end of story for me. I think people on here would ***** about what day of the week it is.

1/15/08, 9:24 AM	#45 Re: KO- Old School
Al Soran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 172	This safety topic can be a touchy one,....I mean if we want to make the sprint cars and midgets safer, shouldn't we put wings on them? Ahhhh! And the "Safety walls" at every track? Require Halon systems? Make them wider, or better yet, if safety of our drivers is the ultimate goal, shouldn't we put fenders on them? Who should decide what is the acceptable level of safety? You? Me? The driver? The sanctioning body? The fans? Beats me! But, a bunch of guys packed in styrofoam lined cars bouncing off syrofoam walls just doesn't sound like something I want to watch or participate in. There is a certain level of danger to this sport that makes it so appealing, and if we made the cars all "super-safe", would anyone want to watch? :sleep:

1/15/08, 9:57 AM	#48 Re: KO- Old School
PJ Wright Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,061	The photo Mark posted of his son is a perfect example of the old saying: "A picture is worth a thousand words."