Nostalgia FED driver passes out from heat stroke.

Littleman · Aug 7, 2013

Accidents are alway's going to happen........whether a car is properly built and inspected or improperly built and allowed to run..........The lucky ones get to move on.....Littleman

Tman · Aug 7, 2013

arkiehotrods said: ↑

Pitiful response from the "safety" guys. Look like they were freaking out, unable to decide what to do. That dragstrip needs to hold no more races until they have some properly trained and equipped crews on hand who know what to do in a situation like that.

That was hard to watch. And I'm glad the driver is going to be alright.
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I agree, regardless of what the promoter thinks.

jadegrenade 51 · Aug 7, 2013

That's terrible. I hope it never happens again. Be safe out there guys.

Dustin

61cad · Aug 7, 2013

1939fiat said: ↑

saw a similar incident a few yrs ago at bowling Green HRR..That dragster hit the wall in slow motion and curled up like a pretzel in a matter of seconds,while trying to back up..
Any dragster owner will tell ya,they don't steer worth a damn going backwards.

Rick
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Don't steer worth a damn period! Forward or backward... They were built to go STRAIGHT, really fast!

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

jimdillon · Aug 7, 2013

I was there and watched the whole deal unfold (I am in the video in the early frames). First of all it was extremely hot and I felt for the guys in the firesuits. I thought it then when they rolled past me to the line. I had run a street car earlier and had to wait at the line for a track cleanup. It was really hot- the firesuits had to be near unbearable. Heat stroke is not unbelievable by any stretch.

You guys that want to criticize the safety crew, lets hear specifically what you would have done personally if you were in their shoes. Remember safety crews do not risk their life and limb as a goal when they suit up. They have to use good judgment and do whatever within their own safety to help those in need. They have kids and a family at home. Death or serious injury is not a prerequisite of their job. Did they have a plan for what happened here I do not know and maybe this will be part of a learning curve of something as a first impression-who knows. With a digger running wide open throttle and dangerously spinning tires spewing a mixture of ground up asphalt , concrete and rubber in several directions who is going to want to stand next to the car. The wheels became so deformed from heat, they no longer were round and the right tire deflated but kept spinning. Is it out of the realm that the tires or wheels could come apart? It is also possible that the engine could have let loose with potential tragic results as well. I certainly would think twice about approaching the car. Could it have become dislodged from the wall and then careen into anyone around it?

The digger runs a relatively small amount of fuel, was the plan to let it run out of fuel? It may very well have run out of fuel-the way it sputtered and restarted just before the engine died for good? It was a scary deal to watch. Every emergency has a particular plan and methods to deal with lessening injury and worse (needless tragedy). Just because there is one tragedy does not mean more are necessary so as to avoid criticism by Monday morning quarterbacks. Maybe their plan with limited fuel supply and no clear and safe way to shut it off is to let it run out of fuel. Maybe they need bigger extinguishers with a longer reach or whatever and that may be the learning curve-maybe a large fire blanket to smother the car-who knows but I am sure they have discussed the situation since.

It is easy to criticize but when the situation is upon your shoulders, and you could have been standing there and were told to go handle it, what specifically would you have done?-Jim

CNC-Dude · Aug 7, 2013

I agree with jimdillon, in that case where the throttle was hung wide open as in this case, the best safety for others is to stand clear. If the car had come unwedged from the wall it would have started doing doughnuts and wiped out anyone standing within 20 feet or more of it.

fridaynitedrags · Aug 7, 2013

Zettle Bros. said: ↑

With all your knowledge, why don't you come out here next year and tech inspect?
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The reason you don't want me there teching is because I know the rules and you wouldn't have much of a show with all the slackers back in their trailers and headed home.

hugh m · Aug 7, 2013

Another bureaucratic wannbe is speaking? They are all slackers? Huh? Please.

Moon Rocket · Aug 7, 2013

fridaynitedrags said: ↑

The reason you don't want me there teching is because I know the rules and you wouldn't have much of a show with all the slackers back in their trailers and headed home.
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Which of the rules prevents heat stroke?

dreracecar · Aug 7, 2013

Its the rule of common sense

I run my car at tracks that are known about how hot it gets (Vegas, Sacramento, Bakersfeild) all 100*+ tracks during the summer and my driver wears a -20 suit. ITS MY JOB to be aware of his condition at all times. We have a set of proceedures and signals that we do and if he does not or incorectly respond to those signals I will evaluate the situation AND WILL shut him down if there is somthing wrong, AND if he feels something is not right he can shut the car down and I wont say a word , even if its the final

cgaswillys · Aug 7, 2013

Always remember to drink tons of water twhen it's hot out at the track. Especially if you don't normally spend alot of time out doors in the heat.

dreracecar · Aug 7, 2013

Biggest problem with racing in heat is that the driver sweats inside the suit and although the suit will protect from flame any heat from a fire will turn the sweat into steam and the driver boiled/cooked. Better to keep driver in tow car with the air running untill the last moment. If that is hard to do then at least keep the helmet inside with the A/C blowing into it till just before you ready to fire.

rusty1 · Aug 7, 2013

fridaynitedrags said: ↑

Looked to me like the front bar is what knocked him silly. The rulebook says that the cage must be padded ANYWHERE the helmet may come in contact with the cage. And I'll bet a nickel he was not using 45.1 padding. I'd also like to see the SFI tag in the helmet. I'll bet it was a DOT helmet only. And another thing, the front bar is waaaaaaaay too close to his face. The rule calls for 3 inches. Wait until he goes up over the corner of a concrete barrier. You say the car was certed? I don't know any Division Director or Division Tech Director who would cert a POS like that.

I love drag racing probably more than any of you guys, been doin' it since 1957 and I feel that I have to point out these deficiencies in the cars and driver's equipment if we are to continue to have a sport. Insurance is now the highest cost of putting on a drag race and if nutballs like this guy show up with inferior equipment, the insurance companies can make it or break it for us.
IF the cage had been properly fitted with 45.1 padding at all places where the helmet could make contact with any bar.....and.....
IF the cage had been properly constructed for the size of the driver....and.....
IF the driver had been wearing an SFI 38.1 HANS device, there would likely have been no driver injury. A HANS is required at 200 mph and I know that car.....ON FUEL..... would eclipse 200. I've seen plenty of SBC FED's and RED's go 170 on gasoline.

Anyway, like I said originally, if I were teching, that car would have been put back on the trailer and sent home.

Not trying to be an ass here, just pissed off at people who slack on the rules.
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..he's pretty sure of himself. he said he'd bet a nickle!
...we can keep hashing this out; let's just all be glad the driver is ok, and that lessons were learned from the whole experience.
The rest of the Meltdown weekend went off without a hitch; many props to all running the show.

HotrodHans · Aug 7, 2013

U betcha there Mr. Pres. The California lazy chair quarterback didn't get the heat stroke part of it. I'm sure he means well but how many PROFESSIONAL racers have died with all the safety equipment in place?

It's a Nostalgia race. Rules are usually bent a little otherwise there WOULD BE NO RACE.

I can guarantee you the safety requirements on the rail were much better than what was required in the 60's.

A HANS device wouldn't have done a thing for the side impact he experienced. You could see the tire and wheel imprint embedded into the concrete barrier when he hit. Besides his 14" wide wheel was about 6" on the trailer. He hit HARD, thus the broken ribs.

Fortunately it turned out to be IMO the best scenario that could have happened. Had he gone straight at WOT he'd be in the Nuclear plant. Had he done a 180 I can't imagine the catastrophe that would have happened in the staging lanes.

Everyone should cool off and learn from this experience.

Shit happens and there is absolutely no control over that.

Oh yeah, I had a BLAST!

Thanks to you and your helpers for putting on this fantastic show.

One request... ask for 70 degree weather next year

pnevells · Aug 7, 2013

Really glad to hear the driver is OK, I had a heat stroke incident in my FED 20 years ago in the shut down area, i passed out with my hand on brake lever and off the gas pedal, it took gatorade and bananas in the ambulance to start to recover,I had no recollection of slowing the car down, i drank gatorade always after that and never had a another problem

D_Lazaris · Aug 7, 2013

My heart almost stopped when I watched this video. When I am in the staging lanes, waiting for a long time, suited up, especially in the summer. This has always been on my mind...

Very scary, and I am glad he and everyone else is okay.

Tman · Aug 7, 2013

dreracecar said: ↑

Its the rule of common sense

I run my car at tracks that are known about how hot it gets (Vegas, Sacramento, Bakersfeild) all 100*+ tracks during the summer and my driver wears a -20 suit. ITS MY JOB to be aware of his condition at all times. We have a set of proceedures and signals that we do and if he does not or incorectly respond to those signals I will evaluate the situation AND WILL shut him down if there is somthing wrong, AND if he feels something is not right he can shut the car down and I wont say a word , even if its the final
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That is my job with Tim strapped in the truck at the Salt. Far too many folk take this stuff lightly. Call me cautious but ALL my hobbies have a chance to kill a guy, racecars, Ice Climbing, Mtn biking. Yeah even those bicycles, we have had one killed and one paralyzed here this year alone on downhill bikes. Clint said it best, "a mans gotta know his limitations!"

Glad the guy came out of what could have been even worse.

saltflats · Aug 7, 2013

Glad the driver is ok.
I still got to have one of them FED the wife is not crazy about it guess I wont let her see this.

adjustablejohnsons · Aug 7, 2013

A friend of mine died from heat stroke a couple of weeks ago. It ain't no joke. Having said that, my hat is off to the engine builder.

swade41 · Aug 7, 2013

I'm surprised in all the talk over this accident in this thread and others the smoke inhalation side of it is never mentioned. Could you imagine trying to breath in the amount of tire smoke that was being produced ????

fridaynitedrags · Aug 7, 2013

dreracecar said: ↑

Its the rule of common sense

I run my car at tracks that are known about how hot it gets (Vegas, Sacramento, Bakersfeild) all 100*+ tracks during the summer and my driver wears a -20 suit. ITS MY JOB to be aware of his condition at all times. We have a set of proceedures and signals that we do and if he does not or incorectly respond to those signals I will evaluate the situation AND WILL shut him down if there is somthing wrong, AND if he feels something is not right he can shut the car down and I wont say a word , even if its the final
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Very well said. Common sense to the fore.

fridaynitedrags · Aug 7, 2013

hugh m said: ↑

Another bureaucratic wannbe is speaking? They are all slackers? Huh? Please.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your insightful contribution. When's the last time you worked a tech line?

Tman · Aug 7, 2013

swade41 said: ↑

I'm surprised in all the talk over this accident in this thread and others the smoke inhalation side of it is never mentioned. Could you imagine trying to breath in the amount of tire smoke that was being produced ????
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Good point, I have been there and it is nasty! Guys lungs won't be right for ages if ever!

yruhot · Aug 7, 2013

And it goes on and on. Just glad the guys ok. If racing wasn't dangerous everybody would be doing it. Drink,Drink,Drink, then drink some more water or sports drinks. Keep those electrolites amped up. The suns a killer.Doug

Zettle Bros. · Aug 7, 2013

fridaynitedrags said: ↑

The reason you don't want me there teching is because I know the rules and you wouldn't have much of a show with all the slackers back in their trailers and headed home.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm surprised with all the inferior workmanship and unsafe cars that Eric and the MDA crew and AJ and Ron haven't killed us years ago. I know when we line our car up at the track that I can't wait for that bad wheel bearing too fail and the half ass brakes we have go out. Then again, that's what you can expect from us slackers!!! You really think that's what goes on at this meet? I love how you can truly be an authority on the subject because you been to the meet so many times. So if you can't tech for us slackers, then by all means bring your car out so we can get a first hand account on how a drag car is suppose to be setup.

hugh m · Aug 8, 2013

fridaynitedrags said: ↑

Thank you for your insightful contribution. When's the last time you worked a tech line?
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I always consider myself a customer in a tech line,and notwithstanding the rules, and if the person I am dealing with is a pompous bufoon who calls whole groups of folks "slackers", guess what? I will go somewhere else next time. (But I probably woud not have to because people with attitudes usually don't keep their jobs very long.)
Good luck to all the slackers everywhere.

Zombie 51 · Aug 9, 2013

Well I'm glad to hear he is ok. I'm looking for a little more info on some of the things stated in this thread. Someone asked about a kill switch and the answer was that you can't have a kill switch on a nitro engine because it would be very dangerous and potentially turn it into a bomb. Can you explain further?

frank spittle · Aug 9, 2013

Nitro in a hot engine does not need spark to fire. The compression and heat will fire it and if it does not fire or misfires on a stroke it can cause an explosion.

Zombie 51 · Aug 9, 2013

Thank you! A Diesel engine will run on like that too, right?

rooman · Aug 9, 2013

Zombie 51 said: ↑

Thank you! A Diesel engine will run on like that too, right?
Click to expand...

A diesel is a compression ignition engine right from the get go whereas a nitro burner can end up that way by default.

Roo

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Nostalgia FED driver passes out from heat stroke.

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