Admin Vista Posted September 11, 2006 Admin Report Posted September 11, 2006 Hmm unlucky...wonder what repercussions will be from it i doubt there will be any as there are signs and notices everywhere that motorsport is dangerous and they accept no responsibility for any injuries caused, you watch at your own risk. thats a pretty standard statement for any circuit/track. i'm sure if it is correct that dan cockerill's car was involved, that the team are analysing everything as to what went wrong and i'm sure they are beside themselves, at the end of the day it's an accident, noone could have predicted what was going to happen and it's got to be a one in a triilion chance of being hit by flying debris. i'm sure that a great sadness is felt by all staff and teams at santa pod that someone was killed watching the sport that them and us all love. a sad time but "thats racing" as they say. Terrible news and hearfelt commiserations to the victims family. I wouldn't be too sure on their not being repercussions though. Often accidents that involve loss of life (especially spectators) result in changes to the safety rules. The RS200 accident brought about the demise of Group B rallying, and the Australian Marshall that was killed by a stray wheel in F1 ushered in the ruling on wheels being tethered to the car. These are just two incidents that spring to mind. For instance, perhaps it could result in something like not being allowed to go up the strip minus a bonnet.
steve dray Posted September 11, 2006 Report Posted September 11, 2006 Indeed a sad day for the sport, Our thoughts are with the families of all involved
Danmex Posted September 11, 2006 Report Posted September 11, 2006 Terrible news, condolences to the families involved
perry Posted September 11, 2006 Report Posted September 11, 2006 something like not being allowed to go up the strip minus a bonnet never happen itl rule out fuel altereds top fuel most gassers drag bikes ! slingshots
jamesjmo Posted September 11, 2006 Report Posted September 11, 2006 Spectator killed at dragster race A spectator was fatally injured at a drag racing track when a car's parachute opened and sent debris flying into the crowd. Police are now examining the dragster, which was taking part in an event at the Santa Pod racetrack in Northants. The 64-year-old man from Norwich was taken to Bedford Hospital but later died of his injuries. Hundreds of people witnessed the tragedy at the track which was staging races involving 300 teams. The dead man was watching the final round of the FIA European Drag Racing Championships, where cars can reach speeds of up to 300mph. A spokeswoman for Bedfordshire Police said the object was projected into the crowd when the car opened its rear parachute. It is not clear whether a piece of the vehicle sheared off when the parachute opened or whether it was a piece of debris from the track that flew into the crowd. A spokesman for Santa Pod said he was unable to comment while the police investigation was taking place.
Hilux Posted September 11, 2006 Report Posted September 11, 2006 obviously the official inquiry will ascertain the true cause, but, i was talkin to a mate today that used to be into drag racing, and it has been mentioned that it may have something to do with the parachute, he told me that if a mechanic who was bending down to pack the 'chute accidentally dropped something he may have had in a shirt pocket such as a bolt for instance, and it got folded up unnoticed with the parachute, when that parachute is deployed at the high speeds seen in drag racing, the unnoticed item could be shot out as the 'chute unfolds at an enormous speed! it would be a million to one chance that something like that could end up flying towards the crowd doesn't really bear thinking about does it? as i say i'm sure the official inquiry will find the true cause and i'm pretty certain it will find that it was just a freak accident, the safety and professionalism of these top teams are second to none.
Tigran Posted September 11, 2006 Report Posted September 11, 2006 Sorry to say but as a couple of people have said on NSRA, looks like it may have been a piece of Seppo Saapola's car that went astray. Either way it is a tragic accident and my thoughts go out to all those involved.
Admin Mk2Jo Posted September 12, 2006 Admin Report Posted September 12, 2006 Well, I did see one of the Santa Pod track people (marshall's?) go onto the track after the run and retrieve a parachute from the track ... now, I know the parachute opens obviously when the car passes the finish line but I assumed the parachute stayed attached to the car .... this one didn't (or at least a bit of it didn't if it wasn't the whole chute)
LUKE261 Posted September 12, 2006 Report Posted September 12, 2006 really terrible news, really bad!! my heart goes out to the family of the spectator and the team!
Jon Posted September 12, 2006 Report Posted September 12, 2006 I beleive it may have been a spring that is used in the parachute itself that came off and hit the spectator in the chest! I suppose one of the results from the investigation could be that wire fencing is errected along the barrier, most race track now have a similar set-up in front of the stands etc.
Lilo_Capri Posted August 26, 2007 Report Posted August 26, 2007 i know its an old post but i was standing about 60ft away from the guy and saw them loading the poor guy into the ambulance. i heard another story on who was at fault and what the object was (from a trustworthy source) but i don't want to go throwing accusations about. it was a tragic accident indeed and i am glad that it hasn't affected racing too much. condolences to the family.
Posse Posted August 26, 2007 Report Posted August 26, 2007 i know its an old post but i was standing about 60ft away from the guy and saw them loading the poor guy into the ambulance. i heard another story on who was at fault and what the object was (from a trustworthy source) but i don't want to go throwing accusations about.
mk2 stu Posted August 26, 2007 Report Posted August 26, 2007 shocking but motorsport IS dangerous, full condolences to everyone involved, lets hope it doesnt happen again
Mr Sam Posted August 26, 2007 Report Posted August 26, 2007 cant believe this was nearly a year ago seems like yesterday a
GJUK Posted August 26, 2007 Report Posted August 26, 2007 When i saw the title I thought it was going to be some child being killed by a tit racing around the car park area in their car. My thoughts are with the family of the poor chap . I hope it makes the track safer though. Jon
BIGKEV Posted August 26, 2007 Report Posted August 26, 2007 Not Good - it wasnt long ago that this same topic came up.
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