Driver Killed at Willow Springs
05-27-2008 | 12:46 PM
#46
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Thanks, Jack, for that most unfortunate clarification. Horrible news. My deepest condolences to his family and friends ...this touches us all.
A "good" safety record and all, I have firmly believed for years that WSIR should have smoothed the track run off area at T8 and T9. I've been off there a grand total of 2x, and that was once too many. It is like driving on the moon out there ...not even close to a reasonably decent surface to bleed off speed (lots of speed, BTW) in this layman's opinion. I do hope that WSIR considers making a simple project (and in my thoughts not even a costly one) of smoothening out that one area, a part of the track that carries the highest speeds and highest consequences for an off. All IMHO, but an opinion I have held for some time now. Perhaps the track will wake up ...or perhaps event organizers can pressure...
What a sobering reminder to me to do all I can to "try" and keep safe. My thoughts and prayer to the driver's family and loved ones.
Edward
A "good" safety record and all, I have firmly believed for years that WSIR should have smoothed the track run off area at T8 and T9. I've been off there a grand total of 2x, and that was once too many. It is like driving on the moon out there ...not even close to a reasonably decent surface to bleed off speed (lots of speed, BTW) in this layman's opinion. I do hope that WSIR considers making a simple project (and in my thoughts not even a costly one) of smoothening out that one area, a part of the track that carries the highest speeds and highest consequences for an off. All IMHO, but an opinion I have held for some time now. Perhaps the track will wake up ...or perhaps event organizers can pressure...
What a sobering reminder to me to do all I can to "try" and keep safe. My thoughts and prayer to the driver's family and loved ones.
Edward
05-27-2008 | 01:18 PM
#47
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From: Vacuuming Cal Speedway
WSIR has never shown any interest in investing back into their facilities. It's a family owned business that appears to be primarily interested in supporting their extended family members with only cursory concerns for the welfare of their patrons. Really, how much would it cost to flaten out some of the track bumps (T8), and to excavte, recompact, and fill in the perimeters around the dangerous portions of the track. They already own their own excavating equipment....
05-27-2008 | 11:10 PM
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WSIR has never shown any interest in investing back into their facilities. It's a family owned business that appears to be primarily interested in supporting their extended family members with only cursory concerns for the welfare of their patrons. Really, how much would it cost to flaten out some of the track bumps (T8), and to excavte, recompact, and fill in the perimeters around the dangerous portions of the track. They already own their own excavating equipment....
05-28-2008 | 12:30 AM
#49
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Danny I couldn't agree with you more. Unfortunately they're the closest available track in So Cal and therefore get a lot of business from all the groups. The POC has 18 races over 9 weekend scheduled this year and 4 of those weekends are at Willow. It's all about availability unfortunately. Buttonwillow is difficult to get dates for since they're SCCA's track and they rent out to many groups. We have a date there in October. Cal Speedway has been almost impossible to get additional dates for besides our annual May weekend but they just offered us another weekend later this year and we'll run a Time Trial event there. We added a second race at Las Vegas this year which is a first for us but we gave up Sears Point for that weekend since our turnout there is low. We always have had Laguna in late August but we run a big fun raiser for them to assure our dates. Like I said it's all about availability unfortunately...
05-28-2008 | 02:44 AM
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I agree with you, as well, Danny. I'd like nothing more than for organizers (speaking with my dough) to say no to WSIR until they make this one change. But JR has it right on. With Buttonwillow and Ca Speedway as the only other options in the hood, the myriad of clubs simply have to book where/when they can.
Edward
Edward
05-28-2008 | 04:00 AM
#52
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Some baller in California needs to put up another Buttonwillow-quality track...or buy out the family that owns Willow Springs and fix it.
You do notice, however, that the only improvements came at the bequest (read: demand) of 'Setup' from Speed TV, where they likely required a better turn at turn 4 of Streets and revamping of some facilities?
You do notice, however, that the only improvements came at the bequest (read: demand) of 'Setup' from Speed TV, where they likely required a better turn at turn 4 of Streets and revamping of some facilities?
05-28-2008 | 04:17 AM
#53
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I haven't been there in a while, but has something happened out at Buttonwillow that merits its sharing a sentence with the word 'quality?'
I believe the last fatality at Willow was back in 1989 (although I could be wrong about that). Off the top of my head, I can think of three deaths at Buttonwillow for this one at Willow Springs.
I agree that Willow would improve if the owners did some reinvestment in the infrastructure. But I still think it still might be the least-dangerous track in California, at least in terms of fatalities.
I believe the last fatality at Willow was back in 1989 (although I could be wrong about that). Off the top of my head, I can think of three deaths at Buttonwillow for this one at Willow Springs.
I agree that Willow would improve if the owners did some reinvestment in the infrastructure. But I still think it still might be the least-dangerous track in California, at least in terms of fatalities.
05-28-2008 | 04:22 AM
#54
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http://www.trackhq.com/forums/showth...?t=1179&page=7
Post 70 has pictures of the car.
The car looks pretty beat up. However the driver area look relatively intact for how bad the rest of the car is which says something about the buidl of the car from teh factory. Minimal intrusion. Doors are opened up but that is pretty standard for MINIs. They have a poor latching mechanism.
Some first hand info is in the thread as well. Not much though.
Post 70 has pictures of the car.
The car looks pretty beat up. However the driver area look relatively intact for how bad the rest of the car is which says something about the buidl of the car from teh factory. Minimal intrusion. Doors are opened up but that is pretty standard for MINIs. They have a poor latching mechanism.
Some first hand info is in the thread as well. Not much though.
05-28-2008 | 05:19 AM
#55
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I haven't been there in a while, but has something happened out at Buttonwillow that merits its sharing a sentence with the word 'quality?'
I believe the last fatality at Willow was back in 1989 (although I could be wrong about that). Off the top of my head, I can think of three deaths at Buttonwillow for this one at Willow Springs.
I agree that Willow would improve if the owners did some reinvestment in the infrastructure. But I still think it still might be the least-dangerous track in California, at least in terms of fatalities.
I believe the last fatality at Willow was back in 1989 (although I could be wrong about that). Off the top of my head, I can think of three deaths at Buttonwillow for this one at Willow Springs.
I agree that Willow would improve if the owners did some reinvestment in the infrastructure. But I still think it still might be the least-dangerous track in California, at least in terms of fatalities.
Agree with you, Jack.
But, if you look at the fatal accidents we've had here in the last few years at BW, CA Speedway and now WSIR, they all share more than one common thread. It's not just the track!
Frequently other factors are involved (I have no knowledge of the latest accident so I am not commenting about that specifically --just making a general comment):
a) The sponsoring organization doesn't require all the safety gear necessary to keep drivers safe.
b) Inadequate checking of driver qualifications/car control skills.
c) Inadequate tech checks
d) No punishment (e.g. 13/13s) for reckless behavior (to keep drivers on their toes)
A lot of the open track DE's fall into this category and are a ticking time bomb IMO.
05-28-2008 | 10:36 AM
#56
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There is a lot of talk about window nets. Most of the fatalities we've seen recently have been in HPDEs not club racing. All racing bodies mandate window nets but some DE programs prohibit them. Surely you can fashion a net so that you can get your arm out for passing signals. Mine will have nets on both sides soon.
05-28-2008 | 01:50 PM
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I haven't been there in a while, but has something happened out at Buttonwillow that merits its sharing a sentence with the word 'quality?'
I believe the last fatality at Willow was back in 1989 (although I could be wrong about that). Off the top of my head, I can think of three deaths at Buttonwillow for this one at Willow Springs.
I agree that Willow would improve if the owners did some reinvestment in the infrastructure. But I still think it still might be the least-dangerous track in California, at least in terms of fatalities.
I believe the last fatality at Willow was back in 1989 (although I could be wrong about that). Off the top of my head, I can think of three deaths at Buttonwillow for this one at Willow Springs.
I agree that Willow would improve if the owners did some reinvestment in the infrastructure. But I still think it still might be the least-dangerous track in California, at least in terms of fatalities.
05-28-2008 | 02:36 PM
#58
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Given that I only go there when I have to...which is rarely, such as POC's excellent racing clinic (two visits). After that I do not go there. Perhaps others might consider that but I know boycotting a venue means hurting the club you race with, so in the end we are only hurting our clubs not the track. So the track organizers need to pick other tracks. POC and PCA have been slowly doing that but hard to get other dates.
05-28-2008 | 04:31 PM
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Two of those deaths (Driver & Passanger) at BW were related to a few yahoo's rolling their car on a track tour at a VARA race during lunch time. No rollbar, no helmets, in a midget sprite type convertable-Street car. This was on a "track tour" during lunch. Makes me shake my head still to this day.
Edward
05-28-2008 | 08:01 PM
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From another forum
Dear NASA members and racing community,
A tragic accident occurred at Willow Springs Raceway on May 24th which resulted in life threatening injuries to one of our members. Due to the number of erroneous accounts posted on the internet including supposed “first hand reports” which we know are false, we are publishing this statement of facts in hopes that the racing community will be respectful of the family and refrain from further uninformed speculation.
At 11:30am Joseph Drey was driving his 2002 Mini Cooper S in NASA’s High Performance Driving Experience when the vehicle left the racing surface at the exit of Turn 9 and subsequently turned back across the track. While sliding across the infield dirt, the vehicle rolled an unknown number of times, landing upright but causing the driver to be partially ejected from the vehicle. The vehicle sustained the most significant damage located in the right rear, with additional damage extending to all remaining portions of the vehicle. The left front wheel assembly was separated from the vehicle while the other wheel assemblies remained attached. A fixed back racing seat was properly installed and remains securely attached he the vehicle. A DOT approved 4 point harness restraint system was being utilized. Rescue teams were performing lifesaving measures within 1 minute from when the car stopped rolling and immediate medical aid was administered by NASA Safety, paramedics, and 2 physicians. The patient was transported to the hospital via air ambulance where further medical treatment occurred.
It is with great regret we must recount this tragedy and all information from this event will be analyzed by experts and/or manufacturers. Should anything be learned which could improve the environment for our drivers, changes will be reflected in the NASA Club Codes and Regulations.
Sincerely,
Ryan Flaherty
National Chairman
National Auto Sport Association
A tragic accident occurred at Willow Springs Raceway on May 24th which resulted in life threatening injuries to one of our members. Due to the number of erroneous accounts posted on the internet including supposed “first hand reports” which we know are false, we are publishing this statement of facts in hopes that the racing community will be respectful of the family and refrain from further uninformed speculation.
At 11:30am Joseph Drey was driving his 2002 Mini Cooper S in NASA’s High Performance Driving Experience when the vehicle left the racing surface at the exit of Turn 9 and subsequently turned back across the track. While sliding across the infield dirt, the vehicle rolled an unknown number of times, landing upright but causing the driver to be partially ejected from the vehicle. The vehicle sustained the most significant damage located in the right rear, with additional damage extending to all remaining portions of the vehicle. The left front wheel assembly was separated from the vehicle while the other wheel assemblies remained attached. A fixed back racing seat was properly installed and remains securely attached he the vehicle. A DOT approved 4 point harness restraint system was being utilized. Rescue teams were performing lifesaving measures within 1 minute from when the car stopped rolling and immediate medical aid was administered by NASA Safety, paramedics, and 2 physicians. The patient was transported to the hospital via air ambulance where further medical treatment occurred.
It is with great regret we must recount this tragedy and all information from this event will be analyzed by experts and/or manufacturers. Should anything be learned which could improve the environment for our drivers, changes will be reflected in the NASA Club Codes and Regulations.
Sincerely,
Ryan Flaherty
National Chairman
National Auto Sport Association