Fatality at WGI DE this weekend
#31
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: MA
Posts: 1,010
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having just come back from the Glen on Monday & Tuesday, I'm deeply saddened by this event and offer my sincere condolences to friends and family of the driver. Hopefully, someone will be able to furnish a few more details as to what happened. Its an extraordinary event for someone to even get hurt at a PCA DE. For a death to occur, particularly with a novice driver, is quite troubling. Very, very, very, sad.
#34
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Originally Posted by JCP911S
Although this was just an accident and something that could not possibly have been avoided, it is still devastating for them, as you could imagine.
#38
Super Moderator
Needs More Cowbell
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Needs More Cowbell
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by DJF1
That is absolutely horrible...What exactly happened???
I haven't spoken to him since I was first told of the accident.
#39
Race Car
How tragic.
Being that I am a fellow "track junkie", this news brings pain and a deep thought process to myself. My heart goes out to the other participants, event organizers and Eric's family.
This is terrible news to both of the victim's family as well as a region that has a history of running safe events...not to mention the PCA itself has a steller record of running safe events.
As we all know, these things can happen - it sucks that they do, but when you have all sorts of variables involved at those speeds...well...
Maybe we'll find out what happened and quite possibly we will not...regardless of driver error or mechanical failure, it is indeed a tragedy that should spawn thought amongst all of us, and hopefully you will place Eric and his family in your prayers.
Being that I am a fellow "track junkie", this news brings pain and a deep thought process to myself. My heart goes out to the other participants, event organizers and Eric's family.
This is terrible news to both of the victim's family as well as a region that has a history of running safe events...not to mention the PCA itself has a steller record of running safe events.
As we all know, these things can happen - it sucks that they do, but when you have all sorts of variables involved at those speeds...well...
Maybe we'll find out what happened and quite possibly we will not...regardless of driver error or mechanical failure, it is indeed a tragedy that should spawn thought amongst all of us, and hopefully you will place Eric and his family in your prayers.
#40
Rennlist Member
It is tragic and it certainly does make one think. I'm fortuneate to be able to have a car built specifically for track use by someone that is 100% driver safety first. This latest horror ended an internal conflict I was having about getting a HANs device, as I thought it was overkill for DE's (especially at my level). I could care less about whacking up the car as long as I give myself every chance to walk away. The thought of my daughter waiting in the pits.... well, my heart goes out to them.
Godspeed Erik
Godspeed Erik
#41
GT3 Track Junkie
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New Jersey /Dallas and Mexico
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Anything that improves your safety on the track is a good thing. I'd rather spend money on that than go faster improvements. I've already started to see a few Hans devices being used at DE events.
#42
Administrator - "Tyson"
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Originally Posted by Gary R.
This latest horror ended an internal conflict I was having about getting a HANs device, as I thought it was overkill for DE's (especially at my level).
I agree with you about the family, if I make a mistake on the track and hurt myself, it’s a something I have to live with. If I end up in a life ending incident, my family had to live with that forever. Every sport is dangerous or deadly, people die every year in skiing and boating accidents. Still hits home with track incidents no matter who it is or what track it happened on.
#45
Rennlist
Basic Site Sponsor
Basic Site Sponsor
I was there & know Erik's instructor very well. This was probably Erik's 5th or 6th event. He was in the lowest run group. He was a slower driver, but aware and not particularly aggressive. He had been solo'd before at prior events.
This was his 6th half-hour session on the track, and he was just solo'd. He was entering the laces of the boot (turn 6) where it was surmised that he dropped 2 wheels off on the outside and spun into the tire wall/guardrail. The details are still quite sketchy as it was the first day for the corner worker, and as of yesterday afternoon, we did not hear from the driver who was immediately behind him. He was wearing a five point harness, and it was estimated that he hit the wall at about 80 mph.
Erik was not in the best of health, and it is still unknown whether it was purely driver error, or some sort of seizure or spasm momentarily distracted him. There are many theories, and we may never know. From what I do know, Erik's instructor feels very badly, and is helping the family with arrangements. If I hear any more, I will post it.
On another note, I didn't realize that other rennlisters on this forum were there. Too bad we didn't meet up.
This was his 6th half-hour session on the track, and he was just solo'd. He was entering the laces of the boot (turn 6) where it was surmised that he dropped 2 wheels off on the outside and spun into the tire wall/guardrail. The details are still quite sketchy as it was the first day for the corner worker, and as of yesterday afternoon, we did not hear from the driver who was immediately behind him. He was wearing a five point harness, and it was estimated that he hit the wall at about 80 mph.
Erik was not in the best of health, and it is still unknown whether it was purely driver error, or some sort of seizure or spasm momentarily distracted him. There are many theories, and we may never know. From what I do know, Erik's instructor feels very badly, and is helping the family with arrangements. If I hear any more, I will post it.
On another note, I didn't realize that other rennlisters on this forum were there. Too bad we didn't meet up.
__________________
Larry Herman
2016 Ford Transit Connect Titanium LWB
2018 Tesla Model 3 - Electricity can be fun!
Retired Club Racer & National PCA Instructor
Past Flames:
1994 RS America Club Racer
2004 GT3 Track Car
1984 911 Carrera Club Racer
1974 914/4 2.0 Track Car
CLICK HERE to see some of my ancient racing videos.
Larry Herman
2016 Ford Transit Connect Titanium LWB
2018 Tesla Model 3 - Electricity can be fun!
Retired Club Racer & National PCA Instructor
Past Flames:
1994 RS America Club Racer
2004 GT3 Track Car
1984 911 Carrera Club Racer
1974 914/4 2.0 Track Car
CLICK HERE to see some of my ancient racing videos.
Last edited by Larry Herman; 08-01-2005 at 11:29 AM. Reason: spelling