[trackbird]

Article:

http://www.nbc4.tv/news/4562562/detail.html

Pics:

http://nbc4.tv/slideshow/news/4562709/detail.html

More info at corner carvers:

http://corner-carvers.com/forums/showthrea...ead.php?t=23616

Emergency Crews Respond To Fatal Crash At California Speedway
Second Person Hospitalized After Crash

POSTED: 3:23 pm PDT June 2, 2005
UPDATED: 5:16 pm PDT June 2, 2005

(IMG:http://images.ibsys.com/2005/0602/4562735_200X150.jpg)

LOS ANGELES -- Two people were killed Thursday in a crash at California Speedway in Fontana.

A private car club was renting the speedway at the time of the crash.

A Porsche Carrera GT crashed into a retaining wall and came to rest on the track's infield. Authorities said two people were in the vehicle at the time of the crash.

One person was pronounced dead at the scene.

The second person in the car was transported by Mercy Air to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. That person later died.

The track is home to the California 500, Nextel Cup 500, the Toyota Indy 400 and other motorsport events. The 2-mile D-shaped oval surrounds an infield portion used for road courses and a 13-turn interior test circuit.

Private parties can rent the track to turn laps.

Be safe out there guys.

[CMC #37]

Everyone brings up good points concerning safety. As an instructor and racer I cannot emphasize this enough. Looking at the aftermath here we have a topless car with pretty much airbags, probably stock seatbelts and nothing else really for protection. If you are going to play on the track then do your safety first, get a cage, head and neck protection, fire and a good 3" belt system. I have seen too many crumpled up cars in high performance driving events. The ones with good cages always do better. My mantra: "Safety is planned, accidents are not."

Coincidentally I spoke with the NASA track marshall before I went on track at California Speedway. I'm sure the tips he gave me about that track kept me from making common mistakes and having the awesome weekend I did back in March. It is worth finding these guys before you go on a new track. I know they(entire safety crew) go through their own personal hells when something like this happens, my thoughts go out to them as well as the families and friends involved.